1 Kings 1

David’s Old Age

1 King David had grown old, and although he was covered with blankets, he couldn’t get warm.

2 His officials told him, “Your Majesty, let us search for a young woman who has never been married. She can stay with you and be your servant. She can lie in your arms and keep you warm.”
3 So they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful, young woman. They found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.

4 The woman was very beautiful. She became the king’s servant and took care of him, but the king did not make love to her.

Adonijah Plots to Become King

5 Adonijah, son of Haggith,t was very handsome. His mother gave birth to him after she had Absalom.t Adonijah was boasting that he was king. So he got a chariot and horses and 50 men to run ahead of him.6 His father had never confronted him by asking why he was doing this.7 But Adonijah had discussed his actions with Joab (son of Zeruiah) and with the priest Abiathar, so they supported him.

8 But the priest Zadok, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the prophet Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and David’s thirty fighting men did not join Adonijah.
9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves at Zoheleth Rock near En Rogel. He had invited all his brothers, the king’s other sons, all the men of Judah, and the king’s officials.

10 But he didn’t invite the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, the fighting men, or his brother Solomon.

The Prophet Nathan Helps Solomon Become King

11 Then Nathan asked Solomon’s mother Bathsheba, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah, Haggith’s son, has become king, and our master David doesn’t even know about it?12 Bathsheba, let me give you some advice about how to save your life and your son’s life.13 Go to King David and ask him, ‘Your Majesty, didn’t you swear to me that my son Solomon will be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? Why is Adonijah acting as king?’

14 And while you’re still there talking to the king, I’ll come in and confirm what you have said.”
15 Bathsheba went to the king in his private room. The king was very old, and Abishag from Shunem was taking care of him.

16 Bathsheba knelt and bowed down in front of the king. “What do you want?” the king asked.
17 “Sir,” she answered, “You took an oath to the Lord your God. You said that my son Solomon will be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne.18 But now, you see, Adonijah has become king, and you don’t even know anything about it, Your Majesty.19 He has sacrificed many fattened calves, bulls, and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army to his feast. But he hasn’t invited your servant Solomon.20 All Israel is looking to you, Your Majesty, to tell them who should succeed you on your throne.

21 Otherwise, my son Solomon and I will be treated like criminals when you lie down in death with your ancestors.”
22 While she was still talking to the king, the prophet Nathan arrived.23 The servants told the king, “The prophet Nathan is here.” When he came to the king, he bowed down in front of him.24 Nathan said, “Your Majesty, you must have said that Adonijah will be king after you and that he will sit on your throne,25 because today he went and sacrificed many bulls, fattened calves, and sheep. He invited all the king’s sons, the army’s commanders, and the priest Abiathar to his feast. They are eating and drinking with him and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’26 But he didn’t invite me or the priest Zadok or Benaiah, who is Jehoiada’s son, or your servant Solomon.

27 Did you allow this to happen without telling me who would sit on your throne next?”
28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba in here.” So she stood in front of him,29 and he swore an oath. He said, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord who has saved my life from all trouble lives,

30 I will do today exactly what I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel. Your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne.”
31 Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face touching the ground in front of the king. “May Your Majesty, King David, live forever!” she said.32 King David said, “Summon the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada.” So they came to the king,33 and he said, “Take my officials with you. Put my son Solomon on my mule, and take him to Gihon.34 Have the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan anoint him king of Israel there. Then blow the ram’s horn and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

35 Follow him back here when he comes to sit on my throne. He will be king in place of me. I have appointed him to be the leader of Israel and Judah.”
36 “So be it!” Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, answered the king. “The Lord your God says so too.

37 As the Lord has been with you, so may he be with Solomon. May Solomon be an even greater king than you, King David.”
38 Then the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the Cherethites, and the Pelethites put Solomon on King David’s mule and brought him to Gihon.39 The priest Zadok took the container of olive oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the ram’s horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 All the people followed him, blew flutes, and celebrated so loudly that their voices shook the ground.

Adonijah’s Plot Fails

41 Adonijah and all his guests heard this as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the horn, he asked, “What’s the reason for the noise in the city?”

42 He was still speaking when Jonathan, son of the priest Abiathar, arrived. “Come in,” Adonijah said. “You’re an honorable man, so you must be bringing good news.”
43 “Not at all,” Jonathan answered Adonijah. “His Majesty King David has made Solomon king.44 The king has sent the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the Cherethites, and the Pelethites with him. They have put him on the king’s mule.45 The priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan have anointed him king at Gihon. They have come from there celebrating, so the city is excited. That is the sound you heard.46 Solomon is now seated on the royal throne.47 Furthermore, the royal officials have come to congratulate His Majesty King David, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours and his reign greater than your reign.’ The king himself bowed down on his bed

48 and said, ‘Praise the Lord God of Israel who has let me see the heir to my throne.’ ”
49 Adonijah’s guests were frightened, so they got up and scattered in all directions.50 Adonijah was afraid of Solomon. He got up, went to the tent of meeting, and took hold of the horns of the altar.t

51 Someone told Solomon, “Adonijah is afraid of you, King Solomon. He is holding on to the horns of the altar and saying, ‘Make King Solomon swear to me today that he will not have me killed.’ ”
52 Solomon said, “If he will behave like an honorable man, not one hair on his head will fall to the ground. But if he does anything wrong, he will die.”

53 King Solomon sent men to take him from the altar. Adonijah bowed down in front of King Solomon. “Go home,” Solomon told him.

1 Kings 1

Adonijah Tries to Seize the Throne

1 King David was very old;t even when they covered him with blankets,t he could not get warm.2 His servants advisedt him, “A young virgin must be found for our master, the king,t to take care of the king’s needst and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with yout and keep our master, the king, warm.”t3 So they looked through all Israelt for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

4 The young woman was very beautiful; she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not have sexual relations with her.t
5 Now Adonijah, son of David and Haggith,ts was promoting himself,t boasting,t “I will be king!” He managed to acquiret chariots and horsemen, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.t6 (Now his father had never correctedt himt by saying, “Why do you do such things?” He was also very handsome and had been born right after Absalom.t)7 He collaboratedt with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supportedt him.t8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s elite warriorst did not ally themselvest with Adonijah.9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened steers at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons,s as well as all the men of Judah, the king’s servants.

10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the elite warriors,t or his brother Solomon.
11 Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Has it been reported to yout that Haggith’s son Adonijah has become king behind our master David’s back?t12 Nowt let me give you some advice as to howt you can save your life and your son Solomon’s life.13 Visitt King David and say to him, ‘My master, O king, did you not solemnly promiset your servant, “Surely your son Solomon will be king after me; he will sit on my throne”? So why has Adonijah become king?’

14 Whilet you are still there speaking to the king, I will arrives and verify your report.”t
15 So Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters.t (The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)16 Bathsheba bowed down on the floor beforet the king. The king said, “What do you want?”17 She replied to him, “My master, you swore an oath to your servant by the Lord your God, ‘Solomon your son will be king after me and he will sit on my throne.’18 But now, look, Adonijah has become king! But you,s my master the king, are not even aware of it!t19 He has sacrificed many cattle, steers, and sheep and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the commander of the army, but he has not invited your servant Solomon.20 Now,s my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne.t

21 If a decision is not made,t when my master the king is buried with his ancestors,t my son Solomon and It will be considered state criminals.”t
22 Just then,t while she was still speaking to the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.23 The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” Nathan entered and bowed before the king with his face to the floor.t24 Nathan said, “My master, O king, did you announce, ‘Adonijah will be king after me; he will sit on my throne’?25 For today he has gone down and sacrificed many cattle, steers, and sheep and has invited all the king’s sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. At this momentt they are having a feastt in his presence, and they have declared, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’t26 But he did not invite me – your servant – or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon.

27 Has my master the king authorized this without informing your servantss who should succeed my master the king on his throne?”t

David Picks Solomon as His Successor

28 King David responded,t “Summon Bathsheba!”s She came and stood before the king.t29 The king swore an oath: “As certainly as the Lord lives (he who has rescued met from every danger),30 I will keept today the oath I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel: ‘Surely Solomon your son will be king after me; he will sit in my place on my throne.’”

31 Bathsheba bowed down to the king with her face to the floort and said, “May my master, King David, live forever!”
32 King David said, “Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet,s and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king,33 and het told them, “Take your master’st servants with you, put my son Solomon on my mule, and lead him down to Gihon.t34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anointt him king over Israel; then blow the trumpet and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’35 Then follow him up as he comes and sits on my throne. He will be king in my place; I have decreedt that he will be ruler over Israel and Judah.”36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada respondedt to the king: “So be it!t May the Lord God of my master the king confirm it!t

37 As the Lord is with my master the king, so may he be with Solomon, and may he make him an even greater king than my master King David!”t
38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethitess went down, put Solomon on King David’s mule, and led him to Gihon.39 Zadok the priest took a horn filled with olive oilts from the tent and poured it ont Solomon; the trumpet was blown and all the people declared, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 All the people followed him up, playing flutes and celebrating so loudly they made the ground shake.t
41 Now Adonijah and all his guests heard the commotion just as they had finished eating.t When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he asked, “Why is there such a noisy commotion in the city?”t42 As he was still speaking, Jonathant son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, fort an important man like you must be bringing good news.”t43 Jonathan repliedt to Adonijah: “No!t Our mastert King David has made Solomon king.44 The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites and they put him on the king’s mule.45 Then Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointedt him king in Gihon. They went up from there rejoicing, and the city is in an uproar. That is the sound you hear.46 Furthermore, Solomon has assumed the royal throne.t47 The king’s servants have even come to congratulatet our mastert King David, saying, ‘May your Gods make Solomon more famous than you and make him an even greater king than you!’t Then the king leanedt on the bed

48 and saidt this: ‘The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise becauset today he has placed a successor on my throne and allowed me to see it.’”t
49 All of Adonijah’s guests panicked;t they jumped up and rushed off their separate ways.50 Adonijah feared Solomon, so he got up and went and grabbed hold of the horns of the altar.s51 Solomon was told, “Look, Adonijah fears you;t see, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘May King Solomon solemnly promiset me today that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’”52 Solomon said, “If he is a loyal subject,t not a hair of his head will be harmed, but if he is found to be a traitor,t he will die.”

53 King Solomon sent men to bring him downt from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon told him, “Go home.”t