"You know that the kingship was mine," he said. "All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. As you knowThis phrase indicates a shared understanding or common knowledge between the speaker, Adonijah, and his audience, Bathsheba. It suggests a historical context where the events leading up to this moment were well-known among the people involved. The Hebrew root here implies a certainty and acknowledgment of past events, emphasizing the transparency and public nature of the political dynamics in Israel at the time. the kingdom was mine
Adonijah's claim reflects his belief in his right to the throne, likely based on his position as the eldest surviving son of King David. The Hebrew word for "kingdom" (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakah) denotes a realm or dominion, highlighting the tangible and authoritative nature of kingship. Historically, the succession of kings in Israel was often expected to follow the line of primogeniture, which adds weight to Adonijah's assertion. and all Israel expected me to reign
This phrase underscores the widespread anticipation or assumption among the people of Israel that Adonijah would become king. The Hebrew root for "expected" (שָׂמַח, samach) can also convey a sense of joy or approval, suggesting that Adonijah had significant support or favor among the populace. This reflects the political climate and the expectations of leadership transitions in ancient Israel. But the kingship has turned to my brother
The word "turned" (סָבַב, savav) in Hebrew implies a change or reversal of direction, indicating a divinely orchestrated shift in the succession plan. This highlights the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men, a recurring theme in the biblical narrative. The mention of "my brother" refers to Solomon, emphasizing the familial dynamics and the unexpected nature of his rise to power. for it has come to him from the LORD
This phrase acknowledges the divine intervention and authority in the appointment of kings. The Hebrew word for "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is the covenant name of God, underscoring His active role in the governance of Israel. This reflects a theological understanding that earthly authority is ultimately subject to God's will, a cornerstone of conservative Christian belief in divine providence and sovereignty. Persons / Places / Events 1. AdonijahThe son of King David who initially attempted to claim the throne of Israel. He is speaking in this verse, expressing his belief that he was the rightful heir. 2. SolomonThe brother of Adonijah, who ultimately became king. His reign was established by divine appointment, as indicated in this verse. 3. King DavidThe father of both Adonijah and Solomon, whose legacy and decisions significantly impacted the succession of the throne. 4. IsraelThe nation over which the kingship was contested. The people of Israel had expectations regarding their leadership, which Adonijah references. 5. The LORDThe sovereign God who orchestrates the events of history, including the appointment of kings, as acknowledged by Adonijah. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty in LeadershipGod is ultimately in control of who holds positions of authority. This should encourage believers to trust in His plans, even when they differ from human expectations. Humility and AcceptanceAdonijah's acknowledgment of God's will, despite his personal ambitions, serves as a reminder to accept God's plans with humility. The Danger of PresumptionAssuming entitlement to positions or blessings can lead to disappointment. Believers should seek God's will rather than relying on personal assumptions. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe fulfillment of God's promise to David through Solomon's reign demonstrates His faithfulness, encouraging believers to trust in His promises. The Role of Obedience and SubmissionRecognizing God's authority should lead to a life of obedience and submission to His will, as seen in the eventual acceptance of Solomon's kingship. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Adonijah's statement in 1 Kings 2:15 reflect his understanding of God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our view of leadership today? 2. In what ways does the account of Solomon's ascension to the throne illustrate the principle found in Romans 13:1 about God's establishment of authority? 3. How can we apply the lesson of humility and acceptance from Adonijah's experience to situations where our plans do not align with God's will? 4. What are some modern examples of presumption in leadership or personal ambition, and how can believers guard against this attitude? 5. How does the fulfillment of God's promise to David through Solomon encourage us to trust in God's faithfulness in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16The anointing of David as king by Samuel, highlighting God's sovereign choice in leadership. 2 Samuel 7God's covenant with David, promising that his lineage would continue to rule, which is fulfilled in Solomon's kingship. Proverbs 16:9The idea that while humans plan their course, it is the LORD who establishes their steps, reflecting the divine intervention in Solomon's ascension. Romans 13:1The New Testament teaching that all authority is established by God, reinforcing the concept seen in Solomon's divinely appointed kingship. People Abiathar, Abishag, Abner, Absalom, Achish, Adonijah, Amasa, Anathoth, Barzillai, Bathsheba, Benaiah, David, Eli, Gera, Haggith, Jehoiada, Jether, Joab, Maacah, Maachah, Ner, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, ShilohTopics Brother, Brother's, Changed, Expected, Faces, Fully, Hast, Howbeit, However, Idea, Kingdom, Reign, Reigning, Round, TowardsDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:12-25 5119 Solomon, life of Library The Horns of the Altar
WE MUST tell you the story. Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to steal a march upon dying David, and set up Adonijah. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomn permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father...
11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:" believe. By sitting, understand dwelling: as [in Latin] we say of any person, "In that country he dwelt (sedit) three years." The Scripture also has that expression, that such an one dwelt (sedisse) in a city for such a time. [1791] Not meaning that he sat and never rose up? On this account the dwellings of men are called seats (sedes). [1792] Where people are seated (in this sense), are they always sitting? Is …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Angels have Bodies Naturally United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that angels have bodies naturally united to them. For Origen says (Peri Archon i): "It is God's attribute alone---that is, it belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as a property of nature, that He is understood to exist without any material substance and without any companionship of corporeal addition." Bernard likewise says (Hom. vi. super Cant.): "Let us assign incorporeity to God alone even as we do immortality, whose nature alone, neither for its own sake …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Natural Law Can be Changed?
Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be changed. Because on Ecclus. 17:9, "He gave them instructions, and the law of life," the gloss says: "He wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature." But that which is corrected is changed. Therefore the natural law can be changed. Objection 2: Further, the slaying of the innocent, adultery, and theft are against the natural law. But we find these things changed by God: as when God commanded Abraham to slay …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
Text: 1 Peter 3, 8-15. 8 Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 2:15 NIV1 Kings 2:15 NLT1 Kings 2:15 ESV1 Kings 2:15 NASB1 Kings 2:15 KJV
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