1 Kings 1 Explained: How God's Promised King Points to Jesus Christ
1 Kings 1 Explained: The King Has Been Chosen
That is exactly how 1 Kings opens. King David is old and weak. His kingdom appears vulnerable. One son attempts to seize the crown for himself while another quietly waits for God's timing.
Yet beneath the political drama is something much greater.
This chapter isn't ultimately about David.
It isn't even about Solomon.
It is about God revealing His chosen King.
And thousands of years later, that same pattern reaches its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
What Happens in 1 Kings 1?
King David is nearing the end of his life. Because of his age, his servants bring Abishag the Shunammite to care for him.
Meanwhile, David's son Adonijah assumes the kingdom should belong to him. Without consulting God or David, he gathers military leaders, influential priests, and many respected men of Israel. He prepares sacrifices and publicly declares himself king.
Notice something important:
Adonijah had the appearance of authority.
He had followers.
He had influence.
He had a celebration.
But he never had God's approval.
Nathan the prophet quickly recognizes the danger. Together with Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, they remind David of the promise he made that Solomon would succeed him.
David immediately acts.
He commands that Solomon ride on the king's own mule, be taken to Gihon, and be anointed with holy oil by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet.
Trumpets sound.
The people shout,
"Long live King Solomon!"
The celebration is so loud that Adonijah's feast is interrupted. His followers scatter in fear, realizing they had followed the wrong king.
Adonijah runs to the altar seeking mercy, and Solomon grants him grace—provided he remains faithful.
Breaking Down the Meaning
At first glance, this appears to be a story about royal succession.
In reality, it teaches one timeless truth:
God's kingdom is never built by human ambition.
Adonijah believed position, popularity, appearance, and political alliances could accomplish what only God's calling could establish.
How often do people still try the same approach today?
Success without God's blessing eventually falls apart.
Solomon, however, never fought for the throne.
He received it.
That is often how God works.
The blessings God gives never require manipulation.
They arrive according to His promises.
Jesus Revealed in 1 Kings 1
This chapter shines with powerful pictures of Jesus.
1. Solomon Is the Promised Son
David had already declared who would inherit the throne.
The Father has done the same regarding Jesus.
Just as Solomon was chosen before his coronation, Jesus was chosen before the foundation of the world.
John 6:27
"For Him God the Father has sealed."
2. The King's Mule
David commands Solomon to ride his own royal mule.
Centuries later...
Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a colt.
The similarity is astonishing.
Neither king arrives on a war horse.
Both come as God's rightful King in humility.
Connection
- 1 Kings 1:33
- Zechariah 9:9
- Matthew 21:5
The humble King has always been God's design.
3. The Anointing Oil
Zadok anoints Solomon with oil before the people.
Oil throughout Scripture represents the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is literally "The Christ"...
The Anointed One.
At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, publicly revealing the true King.
Symbolism
Oil → Holy Spirit
King → Messiah
Public Anointing → Divine Appointment
4. Nathan the Prophet
Nathan confirms God's chosen king.
John the Baptist would later do the same.
Both prepared the people to recognize the king God had already chosen.
5. The Trumpet
When Solomon is crowned, trumpets announce his reign.
One day another trumpet will sound.
Only this time...
It will announce the return of the King of Kings.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
The earthly coronation points toward Christ's eternal kingdom.
6. Adonijah Represents False Kings
Adonijah sought glory without God's appointment.
Throughout history, false messiahs, false teachers, and even the coming Antichrist attempt the same thing.
Jesus warned us repeatedly that counterfeit kings would come.
Only one sits on David's throne forever.
Old Testament Connections
Genesis 49:10
Jacob prophesied:
"The scepter shall not depart from Judah..."
Solomon continues the royal line.
Jesus fulfills it forever.
Genesis 22
Isaac was the promised son.
Solomon is another promised son.
Jesus becomes the ultimate Promised Son offered for the salvation of the world.
Exodus 19
Israel became God's kingdom.
In 1 Kings, God establishes the earthly throne that would ultimately lead to Christ.
Deuteronomy 17
God gave Israel instructions for what a king should be long before Israel ever had one.
Jesus alone fulfills that perfect standard.
Joshua 1
Joshua succeeded Moses because God appointed him.
Solomon succeeds David because God appointed him.
God's leaders are always established by His calling—not popular opinion.
Judges
The repeated cycle was:
"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
Adonijah nearly repeats that same rebellion.
Only God's chosen king restores order.
1 Samuel 16
David himself was once overlooked while another seemed more impressive.
God reminded Samuel:
"Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
Now history repeats itself.
Adonijah looked like a king.
God chose Solomon.
Eventually, Israel would again overlook Jesus for the same reason.
2 Samuel 7
God promised David:
"Your throne shall be established forever."
Solomon fulfills the immediate promise.
Jesus fulfills the eternal one.
Powerful Biblical Symbolism
- David → Foreshadows God the Father establishing His Son's kingdom.
- Solomon → Foreshadows Christ reigning in wisdom and peace.
- Nathan → Represents prophetic witness pointing people to God's King.
- Zadok the Priest → Points toward Christ, our eternal High Priest.
- Anointing Oil → Symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
- The King's Mule → Represents humility before exaltation.
- Trumpet → Symbolizes proclamation, victory, and Christ's future return.
- Gihon Spring (living water) → Beautifully points toward Jesus, the Living Water (John 4).
- Adonijah's self-exaltation → Reflects humanity's attempt to rule apart from God.
The AHA Moment
Everyone in Jerusalem had to decide:
Which king will we follow?
Some followed the popular king.
Others followed God's King.
Nothing has changed.
The world still offers countless "kings" promising purpose, identity, wealth, or power.
But only one King has been chosen by the Father.
Only one King rode into Jerusalem in humility.
Only one King conquered death.
Only one King will return with everlasting authority.
His name is Jesus Christ.
Every king in Scripture eventually steps aside.
Jesus never will.
Have You Seen Jesus Among His Verses?
At first, 1 Kings 1 appears to tell the story of an aging king and a battle for succession.
But look closer.
David's chosen son...
the royal mule...
the anointing...
the priest...
the prophet...
the trumpet...
the living waters of Gihon...
They all quietly whisper the same name.
Jesus.
Long before Bethlehem, God was already painting the portrait of His Son.
Every chapter moves the story forward until the true King finally arrives.
That is why the Bible is one story—not many stories.
It is the story of God's King redeeming His people.
And every page points us toward Him.
Final Thoughts
The question of 1 Kings 1 is the same question every generation must answer:
Who truly sits on the throne of your life?
Adonijah sought a crown through ambition.
Solomon received one through God's promise.
Jesus laid down His life to receive the kingdom the Father had prepared from eternity.
The King has already been chosen.
The only question left is whether we will follow Him.
If this chapter helped you see Jesus in a new way, explore the previous studies in 2 Samuel and continue through 1 Kings with Among His Verses, where every chapter uncovers the thread of Christ woven throughout Scripture.
Have you found Jesus Among His Verses?
If this study strengthened your faith, share it with someone who loves discovering Christ throughout the entire Bible. And don't forget to follow Among His Verses as we continue revealing Jesus—one chapter at a time.
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