But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

1 KINGS 1:26KJV
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1 Kings 1:26 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 1:26 mean?

1 Kings 1:26 shows Nathan the prophet telling King David that he, along with Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and Solomon, were not invited to a gathering that Adonijah had arranged. Nathan points out that these key supporters of David and Solomon were left out, hinting at Adonijah’s attempt to exclude them from his plans to become king.

Nathan is speaking to David during a tense moment when Adonijah, David’s son, is trying to make himself king without David’s approval. By listing himself, Zadok, Benaiah, and Solomon as those not called, Nathan highlights the seriousness of Adonijah’s actions and the division it could cause in the kingdom. This verse helps set the stage for the urgent need to address who will succeed David.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 1:26

  • עֶבֶד (‘eved, H5650) — “servant”: Nathan uses this word for himself and Solomon, showing humility and loyalty to David, and emphasizing their rightful place in David’s circle.
  • קָרָא (qara’, H7121) — “called”: This word means to summon or invite. Nathan’s use of it stresses that Adonijah intentionally left out David’s trusted allies, signaling a deliberate act to sideline them from the succession.

Why 1 Kings 1:26 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Adonijah’s gathering was not a public or official event but a selective meeting meant to secure his own claim to the throne.
  • By naming those excluded, Nathan shows David which of his loyal supporters are being pushed aside, making the threat to Solomon’s succession clear.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of 1 Kings 1, where the question of who will be king after David is urgent and contested, highlighting the political tension and the need for David to act.

Where else these words appear

“Benaiah” Hebrew H1141 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 1 Kings 2:30 And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:6 Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

“Jehoiada” Hebrew H3077 · used in 48 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 2 Kings 11:4 And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.

“Zadok” Hebrew H6659 · used in 50 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
  • 1 Kings 1:38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.