1 Kings 1:18

18 But now, unknown to you, Adonijah has become king.

1 Kings 1:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 1:18

And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth
Has set up himself as king, and is by some saluted as such; but lest it should be thought by David that she suggested by this that he was guilty of the breach of his oath, or on any account to be blamed, she adds:

and now my lord, O king, thou knowest [it] not;
which as it acquitted him from all blame, so it made the sin of Adonijah the more heinous, that he should do this without consulting his father about it; and was not only neglect of him as a father, and an act of disrespect and disobedience to him as such, but even of high treason, to assume the throne in his father's lifetime, without his consent.

1 Kings 1:18 In-Context

16 Bathsheba bowed and knelt before the king. He asked, "What do you want?"
17 She answered, "My master, you made a promise to me in the name of the Lord your God. You said, 'Your son Solomon will become king after me, and he will rule on my throne.'
18 But now, unknown to you, Adonijah has become king.
19 He has killed many cows, fat calves, and sheep for sacrifices. And he has invited all your sons, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he did not invite Solomon, who serves you.
20 My master and king, all the Israelites are watching you, waiting for you to decide who will be king after you.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.