And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

1 KINGS 1:32KJV
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1 Kings 1:32 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 1:32 mean?

1 Kings 1:32 describes King David giving an order to summon three specific leaders—Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada—to come before him. This sets the stage for an important decision David is about to make regarding the future leadership of Israel.

In this scene, King David is old and nearing the end of his reign. He calls these trusted figures because a crisis is unfolding: another of his sons, Adonijah, is trying to claim the throne. By summoning Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah, David is gathering spiritual, prophetic, and military authority to ensure his wishes about succession are carried out.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 1:32

  • "King" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): This word emphasizes David’s authority to command these leaders, even in his old age.
  • "Call" (קָרָא, qara): This verb means to summon or invite, showing David’s active role in directing the situation.
  • "Zadok" (צָדוֹק, tsadok), "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): Naming Zadok as priest highlights the importance of religious legitimacy in the coming decision.
  • "Nathan" (נָתָן, natan), "prophet" (נָבִיא, navi): Including Nathan the prophet shows the need for God’s guidance and approval.
  • "Benaiah" (בְּנָיָה, benayah), "son" (בֵּן, ben), "Jehoiada" (יְהוֹיָדָע, yehoiada): Benaiah represents military strength and loyalty, which will be crucial in enforcing David’s will.

Why 1 Kings 1:32 matters

  • 1 Kings 1:32 shows that David is still making decisions and asserting his authority, even as his health declines, which is crucial for the stability of the kingdom.
  • The verse highlights the importance of involving both religious and military leaders in matters of royal succession, revealing how leadership in Israel was not just political but also spiritual.
  • This moment sets up the transition to Solomon’s reign, showing that David’s choice is deliberate and supported by key figures, not just a personal preference.

Where else these words appear

“Nathan” Hebrew H5416 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Samuel 5:14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
  • 1 Kings 1:8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,

“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.