1 Kings 1

Chapter 1

David in His Old Age

1 King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.

2 So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.”
3 So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.

4 The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.

Adonijah Claims the Throne

5 About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him.

6 Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.
7 Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king.

8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.
9 Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheletht near the spring of En-rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers—the other sons of King David—and all the royal officials of Judah.

10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king’s bodyguard or his brother Solomon.
11 Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it?12 If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice.13 Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

14 And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”
15 So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)

16 Bathsheba bowed down before the king.
“What can I do for you?” he asked her.
17 She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the LORD your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’18 But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it.19 He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.20 And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.

21 If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.”
22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

23 The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.”

Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.24 Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne?25 Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’26 But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon.

27 Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?”

David Makes Solomon King

28 King David responded, “Call Bathsheba!” So she came back in and stood before the king.29 And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has rescued me from every danger,

30 your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the LORD, the God of Israel.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, “May my lord King David live forever!”
32 Then King David ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came into the king’s presence,33 the king said to them, “Take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule.34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram’s horn and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

35 Then escort him back here, and he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.”
36 “Amen!” Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen.

37 And may the LORD be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!”
38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguardt took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule.39 There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram’s horn and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.

41 Adonijah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of the ram’s horn, he asked, “What’s going on? Why is the city in such an uproar?”

42 And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” Adonijah said to him, “for you are a good man. You must have good news.”
43 “Not at all!” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has just declared Solomon king!44 The king sent him down to Gihon Spring with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, protected by the king’s bodyguard. They had him ride on the king’s own mule,45 and Zadok and Nathan have anointed him at Gihon Spring as the new king. They have just returned, and the whole city is celebrating and rejoicing. That’s what all the noise is about.46 What’s more, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king.47 And all the royal officials have gone to King David and congratulated him, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s fame even greater than your own, and may Solomon’s reign be even greater than yours!’ Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed,

48 and he said, ‘Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.’”
49 Then all of Adonijah’s guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered.50 Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar.

51 Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, “Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!”
52 Solomon replied, “If he proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched. But if he makes trouble, he will die.”

53 So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, “Go on home.”

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