1 Kings 1:21
ESV
Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders."
NIV
Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals."
NASB
Otherwise it will come about, as soon as my lord the king lies down with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered offenders.'
CSB
Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals."
NLT
If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.'
KJV
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.
NKJV
Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders.”
What does 1 Kings 1:21 mean?
David has lived a long life, full of violence. He is old, and his body is broken. He can't even keep warm; his servants have found a young woman to lie in bed with him, non-romantically, to share her body heat. His last adventure will be to return to the God who made him (1 Kings 1:1–4).With Nathan's prompting, Bathsheba has come to remind the king that he can't go yet. He has unfinished business. David swore to her that her son Solomon would be king. Others in leadership know this is David's intent. But Davids has never made this official. He could have anointed Solomon co-regent to ensure a smooth transition. But he hasn't.
Bathsheba has come to give David a warning. His son Adonijah is at this moment declaring himself king with the support of Joab, Abiathar, and David's other sons. They both know this is wrong. God had chosen Solomon to be king and build the temple, and David agreed. And, it's a gross betrayal of men who had been loyal to David for decades (1 Kings 1:15–20).
Finally, Bathsheba points out that if Adonijah becomes king, and David is dead and buried, she and Solomon will soon follow. It is common for new kings to slay their rivals. Adonijah has the support of men, but not God. He will have to kill Solomon to thwart those plans, but God is in control (Job 42:2).
As planned, Nathan arrives while Bathsheba is still speaking. Bathsheba leaves, and Nathan repeats her story with an addition. Men still loyal to David, including the priest Zadok, the captain of his personal guard Benaiah, and himself, will also be at risk. All because David has not made it clear that Solomon will be king (1 Kings 1:22–27).
