1 Kings 1:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Go and get thee in unto king David, 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? why then doth Adonijah reign?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Nathan instructs Bathsheba to remind David of his sworn promise that Solomon would be the next king.
What Does 1 Kings 1:13 Mean?
Nathan tells Bathsheba exactly what to say. She is to approach David and recall his solemn oath that Solomon would reign and sit on his throne. Then she is to press the contrast: why, then, is Adonijah reigning? The appeal rests not on her wishes but on the king's own binding word.
An oath sworn before God carries weight that outlasts changing circumstances. Bathsheba is to call David back to his promise, trusting that a faithful man will honor what he has vowed. This anticipates the deeper truth that runs through all of Scripture: God Himself keeps every promise He swears, and His covenant word never fails.
1 Kings 1:13 in the Original Language
shava' (שָׁבַע), 'swear' -- to bind oneself by a solemn oath, often invoking God as witness.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 1:13
What does 1 Kings 1:13 mean?
Nathan instructs Bathsheba to remind David of his sworn promise that Solomon would be the next king.