And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.

1 KINGS 1:36KJV
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1 Kings 1:36 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 1:36 mean?

1 Kings 1:36 shows Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, responding to King David by agreeing with the king’s decision and expressing a hope that God will confirm it. Benaiah says “Amen,” meaning “so be it,” and adds that he wishes the LORD God would also support what David has said.

In this moment, Benaiah is speaking directly to King David during the tense transition of royal power. David has just declared Solomon will be king, and Benaiah, a trusted leader, voices his full support. By saying “Amen” and invoking the LORD God, Benaiah is not just agreeing with David but also praying that God Himself will back up David’s words, showing loyalty and trust in God’s will for the kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 1:36

  • אמן (’amen): This word means “so be it” or “truly.” Benaiah’s use of “Amen” signals strong agreement and a desire for God’s confirmation, not just human approval.
  • יהוה (YHWH, “the LORD”): Benaiah specifically refers to the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that the authority and blessing should come from God Himself, not just from David.
  • אדני (’adoni, “my lord”): This word refers to David as “my lord the king,” showing respect and recognizing David’s authority even as he is about to pass it to Solomon.

Why 1 Kings 1:36 matters

  • This verse highlights the importance of both human agreement and divine approval in major decisions, especially in leadership transitions.
  • Benaiah’s response shows the loyalty of David’s supporters and the seriousness with which they treat God’s role in the nation’s future.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that Solomon’s rise to the throne is not just a political move but is being affirmed by both the king’s closest allies and, they hope, by God Himself.

Where else these words appear

“Amen” Hebrew H543 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 5:22 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
  • Deuteronomy 27:21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
  • Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

“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.