1 Kings 1:13

13 Go immediately to King David. Speak up: 'Didn't you, my master the king, promise me, "Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne"? So why is Adonijah now king?'

1 Kings 1:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 1:13

Go and get thee in unto King David
That is, go into the chamber where the king lay, at once, without any ceremony:

and say unto him, didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine
handmaid, saying, assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and
he shall sit upon my throne?
though no mention is elsewhere made of such an oath, there undoubtedly was one, of which Nathan had knowledge, either from David or Bathsheba, or from them both, or might be present himself at the making of it; for not only Bathsheba affirms it, ( 1 Kings 1:17 ) ; but David owns it and confirms it, ( 1 Kings 1:30 ) ;

why then doth Adonijah reign?
surely it cannot be with the king's knowledge and consent, so manifestly contrary to his promise and oath.

1 Kings 1:13 In-Context

11 Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Did you know that Adonijah, Haggith's son, has taken over as king, and our master David doesn't know a thing about it?
12 Quickly now, let me tell you how you can save both your own life and Solomon's.
13 Go immediately to King David. Speak up: 'Didn't you, my master the king, promise me, "Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne"? So why is Adonijah now king?'
14 While you're there talking with the king, I'll come in and corroborate your story."
15 Bathsheba went at once to the king in his palace bedroom. He was so old! Abishag was at his side making him comfortable.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.