And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

1 KINGS 1:6KJV
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1 Kings 1:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 1:6 mean?

1 Kings 1:6 explains that King David never corrected or questioned his son Adonijah’s actions, and that Adonijah was very handsome and born after Absalom. The verse highlights both David’s lack of discipline toward Adonijah and Adonijah’s appealing appearance and family position.

This verse is part of the story where Adonijah tries to make himself king while David is old and weak. The verse points out that David’s failure to challenge Adonijah’s behavior may have contributed to Adonijah’s boldness, and it also connects Adonijah to Absalom, another son who rebelled.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 1:6

  • The word “displeased” (עָצַב, ‘atsav) means to cause pain or grief. Here, it shows that David never caused Adonijah discomfort by questioning or correcting him, which suggests a lack of parental discipline.
  • “Very goodly man” uses two Hebrew words: מְאֹד (me’od, “very”) and טוֹב תֹּאַר (tov to’ar, “goodly” or “handsome in appearance”). This stresses that Adonijah was not just good-looking, but strikingly so, which may have made him more confident or favored in the eyes of others.
  • The phrase “after Absalom” (אַחֲרֵי אַבְשָׁלוֹם, acharei Avshalom) links Adonijah’s birth order to Absalom, reminding readers of another son who rebelled, and hinting at a pattern in David’s family.

Why 1 Kings 1:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne was partly enabled by David’s failure to set boundaries or discipline him, not just by Adonijah’s ambition.
  • The mention of Adonijah’s appearance and birth order connects his story to Absalom’s earlier rebellion, showing a recurring issue in David’s family.
  • Understanding David’s passive parenting here helps explain the family tensions and succession struggles that shape the opening of 1 Kings.

Where else these words appear

“goodly” Hebrew H8389 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 29:17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
  • Deuteronomy 21:11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
  • Esther 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

“displeased” Hebrew H6087 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
  • 2 Samuel 19:2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
  • Psalms 56:5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

“Absalom” Hebrew H53 · used in 92 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
  • 2 Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
  • 2 Samuel 17:15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.