1 Kings 1

1 Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.

2 So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.”

3 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

4 The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.

5 At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.

6 (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)

7 So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.

8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.

9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king.

10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.

11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?

12 Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

13 Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

14 Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.

16 And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?”

17 “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

18 But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know it.

19 And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he has not invited your servant Solomon.

20 And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21 Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be counted as criminals.”

22 And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

23 So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.

24 “My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?

25 For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

26 But me your servant he has not invited, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.

27 Has my lord the king let this happen without informing your servant who should sit on the throne after my lord the king?”

28 Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.

29 And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,

30 I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”

31 Bathsheba bowed facedown in homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”

32 Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king.

33 “Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.

34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

35 Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 “Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it.

37 Just as the LORD was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than that of my lord King David.”

38 Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.

39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.

41 Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.

42 As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.”

43 “Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.

44 And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule.

45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there with rejoicing that rings out in the city. That is the noise you hear.

46 Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne.

47 The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed,

48 saying, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! Today He has provided one to sit on my throne, and my eyes have seen it.’”

49 At this, all the guests of Adonijah arose in terror and scattered.

50 But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.

51 It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’”

52 And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.”

53 So King Solomon summoned Adonijah down from the altar, and he came and bowed down before King Solomon, who said to him, “Go to your home.”

1 ¶ Now king David was old [and] stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

4 And the damsel [was] very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

5 ¶ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

6 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.

7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped [him].

8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which [belonged] to David, were not with Adonijah.

9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which [is] by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

11 ¶ Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth [it] not?

12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, [saying], Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest [it] not:

19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel [are] upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21 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.

22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

26 But me, [even] me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed [it] unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

29 And the king sware, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

30 Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

31 Then Bathsheba bowed with [her] face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

32 ¶ And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.

36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so [too].

37 As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.

38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.

39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

41 ¶ And Adonijah and all the guests that [were] with him heard [it] as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore [is this] noise of the city being in an uproar?

42 And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou [art] a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.

43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.

44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:

45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This [is] the noise that ye have heard.

46 And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.

47 And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

48 And also thus said the king, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which hath given [one] to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing [it].

49 And all the guests that [were] with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.

50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

51 And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.

52 And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.

53 So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.

1 And because king David was old and well stricken in years, though they covered him with garments, he could not wax warm.

2 And his servants said unto him, Let them find my lord the king a damsel, a virgin, to stand before the king, and to nurse him, and to sleep in his arms, and to warm my lord the king.

3 And they sought a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel: and they found Abi sag of Sunem, and brought her unto the king.

4 And she was a very fair damsel; and she nursed the king, and ministered unto him. But the king knew her not:

5 And Adonijah the son of Hagith rose up, and said: I will be king. And he made him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to go before him.

6 And his father would not grieve him in his days, saying, Why doest thou thus? And he also was a very goodly man, and he begat him next unto Absalom.

7 And he had counsel with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, which helped Adonijah.

8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoioda, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men of David, were not with Adonijah.

9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatted cattle by the stone of Soheleth, which is by the well of Rogel; and he invited all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants.

10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he invited not.

11 And Nathan said unto Bathsheba Solomon's mother, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Hagith is king, and our lord David knoweth not?

12 Come now therefore, and I will give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thy soul, and the soul of Solomon thy son.

13 Go, and enter in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst thou not, my lord the king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying: Solomon thy son shall be king after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? Why then hath Adonijah become king?

14 Behold, because thou art yet here, and speakest with the king, I will come in after thee, and will fully speak thy word.

15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber. And the king was very old, and Abishag of Sunem ministered unto the king.

16 And Bathsheba bowed herself, and worshipped the king. And the king said, What is the matter with thee?

17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou hast sworn unto thy handmaid by the LORD thy God, saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and sit upon my throne.

18 But now, behold, Adonia is become king; and, my lord the king, thou knowest nothing about it.

19 He hath offered oxen and fatlings, and many sheep: and he hath charged all the king's sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but he hath not charged Solomon thy servant.

20 But thou art my lord the king: the eyes of all Israel look unto thee, that thou mayest shew them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21 But when my lord the king shall have fallen asleep with his fathers, then shall I and Solomon my son be sinners.

22 And while she yet spake unto the king, Nathan the prophet came.

23 And they told the king: Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he worshipped the king on his face to the earth.

24 And said, My lord king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall be king after me, and shall sit upon my throne?

25 For he went down this day, and offered oxen and fatlings, and many sheep, and called all the king's sons, and the captains, and Abiathar the priest. And, behold, they eat and drink before him, saying, Happy is the king Adonijah!

26 But me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not charged.

27 Is this commanded of my lord the king, and hast not thy servants known who shall sit in the throne of my lord the king after him?

28 And king David answered and said, Call Bathsheba unto me. And she came in before the king. And she stood before the king,

29 And the king sware, saying, As the LORD liveth, who hath delivered my soul out of all distress,

30 I will do this day as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me; and he shall sit upon my throne for me.

31 And Bathsheba bowed her face to the ground, and worshipped the king, and said, Blessed be my lord King David for ever.

32 And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came in before the king,

33 And the king said unto them: Take with you your lord's servants, and set Solomon my son upon my mouth, and bring him down to Gihon.

34 And Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, anoint him there king over Israel. And blow ye with the trumpets, and say, Blessed be Solomon the king.

35 And go up after him, and when he is come, he shall sit upon my throne, and be king over me: and I will command him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.

36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen, so saith the LORD God of my lord the king.

37 As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, so be he also with Solomon, that his throne may be greater than the throne of my lord king David.

38 And Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoioda, and Krethi and Plethi, went down, and set Solomon in the jaws of king David, and brought him to Gihon.

39 And Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew with the trumpet, and all the people said, Happy is king Solomon!

40 And all the people went up after him: and the people blew with whistles, and were very glad; and the earth rang with their shouting.

41 And Adonijah heard it, and all that he had invited that were with him; and they had already eaten. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpets, he said, What is the cry and tumult of the city?

42 And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, Come in, for thou art an upright man, and bringest good tidings.

43 And Jonathan answered and said unto Adonijah, Yea, our lord king David hath made Solomon king;

44 And he sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Krethi and Plethi; and they set him in the king's mouth.

45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king in Gihon: and they went up from thence with joy, and the city rejoiced. This is the cry that ye have heard.

46 For this Solomon sitteth in the royal seat.

47 And the king's servants went in to bless our lord king David, saying, Thy God make Solomon's name better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king worshipped in the camp.

48 And the king said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which this day hath made one to sit upon my throne, that mine eyes have seen.

49 And all that were bidden at Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and went every man his way.

50 But Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and took hold of the horns of the altar.

51 And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon; and, behold, he taketh hold of the horns of the altar, saying, King Solomon sweareth unto me this day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.

52 And Solomon said, If he be upright, not a hair of his head shall fall to the earth: but if evil be found in him, he shall die.

53 And king Solomon sent, and brought him down from off the altar. And when he was come, he worshipped king Solomon. And Solomon said unto him, Go into thine house.