1 kings 1:27 - Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

Generated Verse: 1 kings 1:27

What does "1 kings 1:27" mean?


This verse, spoken by the prophet Nathan to King David in 1 Kings 1:27, is a pointed and accusatory question. Let's break it down:

"Was this thing done by my lord the king...": This refers to the sudden anointing of Adonijah as king. Nathan is implying that Adonijah's claim to the throne is illegitimate unless David, the current king, has explicitly approved it. The "thing" is essentially Adonijah's self-proclamation and anointing.

"...and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”: This is the crucial part. Nathan is directly challenging David's neglect of succession planning. It was customary for a king to designate his successor. The fact that David hadn't publicly done so created a power vacuum, leading to Adonijah's opportunistic grab for power. Nathan subtly reminds David that he and other loyal servants deserved to be informed of the royal choice.

In essence, Nathan is accusing David of two major failings:

1. Lack of Authorization: He suspects that David did not authorize Adonijah's coronation. If so, it is rebellious and illegal.
2. Dereliction of Duty: By not designating his successor, David has failed in his duty to provide stability and guidance for the kingdom after his death. This lack of a clear successor has created the opportunity for Adonijah to seize power.

The context of this verse is important:

David is old and infirm. His authority is waning.
Adonijah, one of David's sons, has declared himself king with the support of powerful figures like Joab (the commander of the army) and Abiathar (a priest).
Nathan, Bathsheba, and other loyalists are concerned that Adonijah's coup will displace Solomon, whom they believe David had previously intended to be his successor.

Therefore, Nathan's words are a calculated intervention designed to provoke David into action and ensure the rightful succession of Solomon. He is acting as a loyal advisor, pointing out a serious problem and implicitly urging David to correct it.