1 Kings 1:21
1 Kings 1:21 in Multiple Translations
Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be counted as criminals.”
Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
For as things are, it will come about, when my lord the king is sleeping with his fathers, that I and Solomon my son will be made outlaws.
If you don't do anything, as soon as Your Majesty dies, I and my son Solomon will be considered traitors…”
For els when my lord the King shall sleepe with his fathers, I and my sonne Salomon shalbe reputed vile.
and it hath been, when my lord the king lieth with his fathers, that I have been, I and my son Solomon — [reckoned] sinners.'
Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”
Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king sleepeth with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
If you do not do that, what will happen is that after you die [EUP] people will consider that my son Solomon and I are rebelling, and they will execute us because we did not help Adonijah to become king.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 1:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 1:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֕ה
כִּ/שְׁכַ֥ב
אֲדֹנִֽ/י
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
עִם
אֲבֹתָ֑י/ו
וְ/הָיִ֗יתִי
אֲנִ֛י
וּ/בְנִ֥/י
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה
חַטָּאִֽים
וְ/הָיָ֕ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
כִּ/שְׁכַ֥ב
shâkab
H7901
to lie down
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֲדֹנִֽ/י
ʼâdôwn
H113
lord
N-ms | Suff
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
עִם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
אֲבֹתָ֑י/ו
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
וְ/הָיִ֗יתִי
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
אֲנִ֛י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
וּ/בְנִ֥/י
bên
H1121
son
Conj | N-ms | Suff
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
Solomon
N-proper
חַטָּאִֽים
chaṭṭâʼ
H2400
sinner
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 1:21
וְ/הָיָ֕ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כִּ/שְׁכַ֥ב
shâkab
H7901
"to lie down"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Definition: : lay_down/lie_with 1) to lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on 1a2) to lodge 1a3) to lie (of sexual relations) 1a4) to lie down (in death) 1a5) to rest, relax (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually) 1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually) 1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down 1e) (Hophal) to be laid
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. See also: Genesis 19:4; 1 Kings 11:43; Psalms 3:6.
אֲדֹנִֽ/י
ʼâdôwn
H113
"lord"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word ʼâdôwn refers to a lord or master, and can be used to describe human leaders or God. It emphasizes the person's power and control over others or things, and is often translated as lord or master.
Definition: 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest 1c1i) theophanic angel 1c1j) captain 1c1k) general recognition of superiority 1c2) reference to God 1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God 1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. See also: Genesis 18:3; 1 Samuel 25:30; 2 Kings 6:5.
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
עִם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
אֲבֹתָ֑י/ו
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וְ/הָיִ֗יתִי
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אֲנִ֛י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
וּ/בְנִ֥/י
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
"Solomon"
N-proper
Shelomoh, or Solomon, was a king of Judah and successor of his father David, first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:14 and known for his wisdom.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.5.14; son of: David (H1732) and Bathsheba (H1339); brother of: Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727) and Nathan (H5416); half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); married to daughter_of_Pharaoh (H6547P) and Naamah (H5279A); father of: Taphath (H2955), Basemath (H1315) and Rehoboam (H7346); also called Jedidiah at 2Sa.12.25; § Solomon = "peace" son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs
Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: Solomon. See also: 2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 7:8.
חַטָּאִֽים
chaṭṭâʼ
H2400
"sinner"
Adj
This word describes someone who has committed a crime or sin, making them guilty. It is used to describe those who have broken God's laws. The KJV translates it as 'offender' or 'sinner'.
Definition: 1) sinners adj 2) sinful 3) exposed to condemnation, reckoned as offenders
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: offender, sinful, sinner. See also: Genesis 13:13; Psalms 51:15; Psalms 1:1.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 1:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 1:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 1:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 1:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 1:21
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 1:21
- Sermons on 1 Kings 1:21
Context — Nathan and Bathsheba before David
19And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he has not invited your servant Solomon.
20And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be counted as criminals.”
22And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 2:10 | Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 31:16 | And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. |
| 3 | Genesis 15:15 | You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 7:12 | And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 2:22–24 | King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!” Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life. And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!” |
| 6 | 1 Kings 2:15 | “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. |
1 Kings 1:21 Summary
In this verse, Bathsheba is talking to King David about who will be the next king after he dies. She is worried that if her son Solomon is not chosen, they will be in danger. This shows that the process of choosing a new king was very important and could be violent. Bathsheba wants King David to make a decision so that she and her son will be safe, similar to how God promises to protect and guide His people in Psalm 23:4 and Psalm 37:3-7. By trusting in God's plan, we can have peace and security, even in uncertain times, as seen in Isaiah 26:3-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bathsheba trying to convey to King David in this verse?
Bathsheba is expressing her concern that if Solomon is not appointed as the next king, she and her son will be treated as enemies of the state, as seen in 1 Kings 1:21, which is why she is urging King David to make a decision about the succession, as noted in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, where God instructs the kings of Israel to follow His laws and not rebel against Him.
Why does Bathsheba use the phrase 'when my lord the king rests with his fathers'?
Bathsheba uses this phrase as a polite way of referring to the king's impending death, as seen in 1 Kings 1:21, similar to how it is used in 1 Kings 2:10 and 2 Samuel 7:12, where David's death is also referred to in this manner, and as promised by God in Psalm 89:35-37.
Is Bathsheba being manipulative or genuinely concerned for her son's well-being in this verse?
While it can be argued that Bathsheba is trying to persuade King David to appoint Solomon as the next king, her concern for her son's safety and well-being seems genuine, as a mother wanting to protect her child, similar to the concern of Hannah for her son Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:27-28.
What does this verse reveal about the political climate of the time?
This verse suggests that the succession of the throne was a highly contested and potentially violent process, as Bathsheba fears that she and her son will be 'counted as criminals' if Solomon is not appointed as the next king, highlighting the importance of God's guidance in the selection of leaders, as seen in Proverbs 21:1 and 1 Samuel 16:13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can trust God with my concerns and fears, just like Bathsheba is trying to do in this verse?
- How can I balance my desire for protection and security with my need to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 91:1-16?
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to manipulate or control the outcome, rather than trusting in God's plan, and how can I surrender those areas to Him, as in Romans 12:1-2?
- In what ways can I be a voice of wisdom and guidance for those around me, just like Nathan the prophet is about to be in the next verse, and how can I seek God's wisdom in my own decision-making, as in James 1:5?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 1:21
Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers,.... That is, shall die, and be buried in the sepulchre of his ancestors, where he shall lie till he awakes in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 1:21
Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
Shall sleep with his fathers, i.e. die as his fathers did. See . I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders; we shall be punished with death as malefactors, as guilty of practicing against the right heir of the crown, and transferring the kingdom to Solomon, and covering our ambitious designs with a pretence of religion.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
1 Kings 1:21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.Ver. 21. Shall be counted offenders.] Heb., Sinners. Erimus Mamzeres - so Jerome senseth it, out of the Hebrew traditions - that is, we shall be accounted bastards and infamous. It is probable that Adonijah had spoken basely of Bathsheba as an adulteress, and of Solomon as illegitimate, and so not fit to be king. Or by sinners here understand rebels, and public enemies.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
(21) Shall sleep with his fathers.—Here this phrase, so constantly used in the record of the death of the kings, occurs in these books for the first time. (It is also found in the message of promise by Nathan. 2 Samuel 7:12, relating to the succession of the son who should build the Temple.) We find corresponding expressions in Genesis 15:15; Deuteronomy 31:16. Without connecting with the use of this phrase anything like the fulness of meaning which in the New Testament attaches to “the sleep” of the departed servants of God (as known to be a “sleep in Jesus”), it seems not unreasonable to recognise in it, at least, a rudimentary belief in death as rest and not extinction. The addition, “with his fathers,” has probably a reference to “the tombs of the kings;” especially as we find that it is not adopted in the cases of Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:20) and Joash. (2 Chronicles 24:25), who were not buried therein.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:21
Verse 21. Shall be counted offenders.] When Adonijah and his party shall find that I and my son have had this promise from thee by oath, he will slay us both.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 1:21
21. counted offenders] The Heb. word is literally ‘sinners.’ Bath-sheba does not go so far as Nathan, and say that the lives of herself and her son are in peril, but leaves the king to think what the lot of those offenders would be whom Adonijah knew to have aspired to the throne.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 1:21
Shall sleep - This euphemism for death, rare in the early Scriptures - being found only once in the Pentateuch (margin reference.), and once also in the historical books before Kings 2 Samuel 7:12 -
Sermons on 1 Kings 1:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Work, Rest, and Recompense. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes the importance of perseverance in our daily work as Christians, drawing from Daniel 12:13, which encourages believers to continue their journey until the |
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Ministry to the Lord by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses two types of preachers and churches. He refers to the Abiyathar priesthood and the Zedok priesthood from the story in 1 Samuel. The preacher |
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How Is It That God Desires to Be With Man? by Bob Jennings | This sermon reflects on the preciousness of Scripture, focusing on John 17 where Jesus expresses His desire for believers to be with Him and behold His glory in Heaven. It emphasiz |
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Introduction: The Messianic Psalms (2) by Chip Brogden | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the revelation of Christ in the life of David. The sermon begins with a prayer, asking God to illuminate the understanding of the listeners a |
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(1 Samuel) Winning Back More Than You Lost by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on a story from the Bible about David and his 400 men. Despite being on a mission from God to pursue the Amalekites, David and his men come acro |
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The Holy Spirit: "Sovereign Lord and Life-Giver" by Greg Herrick | Greg Herrick preaches on the Spirit's ministry, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament promises through the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants. The coming of the Spirit is |
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Lecture Three—trinitarianism or Theology Proper by Greg Herrick | Greg Herrick delves into Trinitarianism, exploring the study of the triune God, which includes rational arguments for God's existence, the attributes of God, the Names of God, the |