1 Kings 1:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →With David weak and the succession unsettled, his son Adonijah seizes the moment and proclaims himself king.
What Does 1 Kings 1:5 Mean?
Adonijah, one of David's older surviving sons, makes his move while his father lies powerless. He declares I will be king and gathers the trappings of royalty, chariots, horsemen, and runners to herald his approach. His self-promotion mirrors the earlier rebellion of his brother Absalom, who had done much the same.
The phrase exalted himself exposes the root of the trouble: a man grasping for a throne God had not given him. True authority is received, not seized; it is bestowed from above. The contrast is striking with the King who, though equal with God, did not exalt Himself but humbled Himself, and was therefore highly exalted by the Father.
1 Kings 1:5 in the Original Language
hithnasse' (הִתְנַשֵּׂא), 'exalted himself' -- to lift oneself up, a reflexive grasping for honor not granted.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 1:5
What does 1 Kings 1:5 mean?
With David weak and the succession unsettled, his son Adonijah seizes the moment and proclaims himself king.