1 Kings 1
1
Adonijah Tries to Seize the Throne
1 King David was very old;#tn Heb “was old, coming into the days” (i.e., advancing in years). even when they covered him with blankets,#tn Or “garments.” he could not get warm. 2 His servants advised#tn Heb “said to.” him, “A young virgin must be found for our master, the king,#tn Heb “let them seek for my master, the king, a young girl, a virgin.” The third person plural subject of the verb is indefinite (see GKC 460 §144.f). The appositional expression, “a young girl, a virgin,” is idiomatic; the second term specifically defines the more general first term (see IBHS 230 §12.3b). to take care of the king’s needs#tn Heb “and she will stand before the king.” The Hebrew phrase “stand before” can mean “to attend; to serve” (BDB 764 s.v. עָמַד). and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with you#tn Heb “and she will lie down in your bosom.” The expression might imply sexual intimacy (see 2 Sam 12:3 [where the lamb symbolizes Bathsheba] and Mic 7:5), though v. 4b indicates that David did not actually have sex with the young woman. and keep our master, the king, warm.”#tn Heb “and my master, the king, will be warm.” 3 So they looked through all Israel#tn Heb “through all the territory of Israel.” 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.#tn Heb “did not know her.”
5 Now Adonijah, son of David and Haggith,#tn Heb “son of Haggith,” but since this formula usually designates the father (who in this case was David), the translation specifies that David was Adonijah’s father.sn Haggith was one of David’s wives (2 Sam 3:4; 2 Chr 3:2). was promoting himself,#tn Heb “lifting himself up.” boasting,#tn Heb “saying.” “I will be king!” He managed to acquire#tn Or “he acquired for himself.” chariots and horsemen, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.#tn Heb “to run ahead of him.” 6 (Now his father had never corrected#tn Or “disciplined.” him#tn Heb “did not correct him from his days.” The phrase “from his days” means “from his earliest days,” or “ever in his life.” See GKC 382 §119.w, n. 2. by saying, “Why do you do such things?” He was also very handsome and had been born right after Absalom.#tn Heb “and she gave birth to him after Absalom.” This does not imply they had the same mother; Absalom’s mother was Maacah, not Haggith (2 Sam 3:4).) 7 He collaborated#tn Heb “his words were.” with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported#tn Heb “helped after” (i.e., stood by). him.#tn Heb “Adonijah.” The proper name has been replaced by the pronoun (“him”) in the translation for stylistic reasons. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s elite warriors#tn Or “bodyguard” (Heb “mighty men”). did not ally themselves#tn Heb “were not.” 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,#tc The ancient Greek version omits this appositional phrase. 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,#tn Or “bodyguard” (Heb “mighty men”). or his brother Solomon.
11 Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Has it been reported to you#tn Heb “Have you not heard?” that Haggith’s son Adonijah has become king behind our master David’s back?#tn Heb “and our master David does not know.” 12 Now#tn Heb “now, come.” The imperative of הָלַךְ (halakh) is here used as an introductory interjection. See BDB 234 s.v. חָלַךְ. let me give you some advice as to how#tn Or “so that.” you can save your life and your son Solomon’s life. 13 Visit#tn Heb “come, go to.” The imperative of הָלַךְ (halakh) is here used as an introductory interjection. See BDB 234 s.v. חָלַךְ. King David and say to him, ‘My master, O king, did you not solemnly promise#tn Or “swear an oath to.” your servant, “Surely your son Solomon will be king after me; he will sit on my throne”? So why has Adonijah become king?’ 14 While#tn In the Hebrew text the sentence is introduced by the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”), which here draws attention to Nathan’s concluding word of assurance and support. For this use of the word, see HALOT 252 s.v. הִנֵּה. you are still there speaking to the king, I will arrive#tc The Hebrew text reads, “I will come after you.” and verify your report.”#tn Heb “fill up [i.e., confirm] your words.”
15 So Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters.#tn Or “bedroom.” (The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) 16 Bathsheba bowed down on the floor before#tn Heb “bowed low and bowed down to.” 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,#tc Instead of עַתָּה (’attah, “now”) many Hebrew mss, along with the Old Greek, Syriac Peshitta, and Latin Vulgate, have the similar sounding independent pronoun אַתָּה (’attah, “you”). This reading is followed in the present translation. my master the king, are not even aware of it!#tn Heb “you do not know [about it].” 19 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,#tc Many Hebrew mss have עַתָּה (’attah, “now”) rather than the similar sounding independent pronoun אַתָּה (’attah, “you”). my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne.#tn Heb “the eyes of all Israel are upon you to declare to them who will sit on the throne of my master the king after him.” 21 If a decision is not made,#tn The words “if a decision is not made” are added for clarification. when my master the king is buried with his ancestors,#tn Heb “lies down with his fathers.” my son Solomon and I#tn Heb “I and my son Solomon.” The order has been reversed in the translation for stylistic reasons. will be considered state criminals.”#tn Heb “will be guilty”; NASB “considered offenders”; TEV “treated as traitors.”
22 Just then,#tn Heb “look.” The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh) here draws attention to Nathan’s arrival and invites the audience to view the scene through the eyes of the participants. 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.#tn Heb “ground.” Since this was indoors, “floor” is more appropriate than “ground.” 24 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 moment#tn Heb “look.” they are having a feast#tn Heb “eating and drinking.” in his presence, and they have declared, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’#tn Heb “let the king, Adonijah, live!” 26 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 servants#tc Many Hebrew mss and ancient textual witnesses agree with the Qere in reading this as singular, “your servant.” who should succeed my master the king on his throne?”#tn Heb “From my master the king is this thing done, and you did not make known to your servants who will sit on the throne of my master the king after him?”
David Picks Solomon as His Successor
28 King David responded,#tn Heb “answered and said.” “Summon Bathsheba!”#sn Summon Bathsheba. Bathsheba must have left the room when Nathan arrived (see 1:22). She came and stood before the king.#tn Heb “she came before the king and stood before the king.” 29 The king swore an oath: “As certainly as the Lord lives (he who has rescued me#tn Or “ransomed my life.” from every danger), 30 I will keep#tn Or “carry out, perform.” 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 floor#tn Heb “bowed low, face [to] the ground, and bowed down to the king.” and said, “May my master, King David, live forever!”
32 King David said, “Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet,#sn Summon…Nathan. Nathan must have left the room when Bathsheba reentered. and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king, 33 and he#tn Heb “the king.” told them, “Take your master’s#tn The plural form is used in the Hebrew text to indicate honor and authority. servants with you, put my son Solomon on my mule, and lead him down to Gihon.#tn Heb “mount Solomon my son on the mule that belongs to me and take him down to Gihon.” 34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint#tn Or “designate” (i.e., by anointing with oil). 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 decreed#tn Or “commanded.” that he will be ruler over Israel and Judah.” 36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada responded#tn Heb “answered and said.” to the king: “So be it!#tn Or “Amen.” May the Lord God of my master the king confirm it!#tn Heb “So may the Lord God of my master the king say.” 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!”#tn Heb “and may he make his throne greater than the throne of my master King David.”
38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites#sn The Kerethites and Pelethites were members of David’s royal guard (see 2 Sam 8:18). The Kerethites may have been descendants of an ethnic group originating in Crete. went down, put Solomon on King David’s mule, and led him to Gihon. 39 Zadok the priest took a horn filled with olive oil#tn Heb “the horn of oil.” This has been specified as olive oil in the translation for clarity.sn A horn filled with oil. An animal’s horn was used as an oil flask in the anointing ceremony. from the tent and poured it on#tn Or “anointed.” 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.#tn Heb “and all the people went up after him, and the people were playing flutes and rejoicing with great joy and the ground split open at the sound of them.” The verb בָּקַע (baqa’, “to split open”), which elsewhere describes the effects of an earthquake, is obviously here an exaggeration for the sake of emphasis.
41 Now Adonijah and all his guests heard the commotion just as they had finished eating.#tn Heb “And Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard, now they had finished eating.” When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he asked, “Why is there such a noisy commotion in the city?”#tn Heb “Why is the city’s sound noisy?” 42 As he was still speaking, Jonathan#tn The Hebrew text has “look” at this point. The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh), “look draws attention to Jonathan’s arrival and invites the audience to view the scene through the eyes of the participants. son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, for#tn Or “surely.” an important man like you must be bringing good news.”#tn Heb “you are a man of strength [or “ability”] and you bring a message [that is] good.” Another option is to understand the phrase אִישׁ חַיִל (’ish khayil) in the sense of “a worthy man,” that is “loyal.” See also 1 Kgs 1:52 and HALOT 311 s.v. חַיִל. 43 Jonathan replied#tn Heb “answered and said.” to Adonijah: “No!#tn For a similar use of אֲבָל (’aval), see Gen 17:19, where God rejects Abraham’s proposal and offers an alternative. Our master#tn The plural form is used in the Hebrew text to indicate honor and authority. 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 anointed#tn I.e., designated by anointing with oil. 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.#tn Heb “And also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom.” 47 The king’s servants have even come to congratulate#tn Heb “to bless.” our master#tn The plural form is used in the Hebrew text to indicate honor and authority. King David, saying, ‘May your God#tc Many Hebrew mss agree with the Qere in reading simply “God.” make Solomon more famous than you and make him an even greater king than you!’#tn Heb “make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne.” The term שֵׁם (shem, “name”) is used here of one’s fame and reputation. Then the king leaned#tn Or “bowed down; worshiped.” on the bed 48 and said#tn The Hebrew text reads, “and the king said.” this: ‘The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because#tn Or “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who….” In this blessing formula אֲשֶׁר (’asher, “who; because”) introduces the reason why the one being blessed deserves the honor. today he has placed a successor on my throne and allowed me to see it.’”#tn Heb “and my eyes are seeing.”
49 All of Adonijah’s guests panicked;#tn Or “were afraid, trembled.” 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.#sn Grabbed hold of the horns of the altar. The “horns” of the altar were the horn-shaped projections on the four corners of the altar (see Exod 27:2). By going to the holy place and grabbing hold of the horns of the altar, Adonijah was seeking asylum from Solomon. 51 Solomon was told, “Look, Adonijah fears you;#tn Heb “King Solomon.” The name and title have been replaced by the pronoun (“you”) in the translation for stylistic reasons. see, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘May King Solomon solemnly promise#tn Or “swear an oath to.” me today that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’” 52 Solomon said, “If he is a loyal subject,#tn Heb “if he is a man of strength [or ability].” In this context, where Adonijah calls himself a “servant,” implying allegiance to the new king, the phrase אִישׁ חַיִל (’ish khayil) probably carries the sense of “a worthy man,” that is, “loyal” (see HALOT 311 s.v. חַיִל). not a hair of his head will be harmed, but if he is found to be a traitor,#tn Heb “but if evil is found in him.” he will die.” 53 King Solomon sent men to bring him down#tn Heb “sent and they brought him down.” from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon told him, “Go home.”#tn Heb “Go to your house.”
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1 Kings 1
1
Adonijah Makes Himself King
1King David was now very old. He couldn’t keep warm even when blankets were spread over him. 2So his attendants spoke to him. They said, “You are our king and master. Please let us try to find a young virgin to serve you. She can take care of you. She can lie down beside you to keep you warm.”
3So David’s attendants looked all over Israel for a beautiful young woman. They found Abishag. She was from the town of Shunem. They brought her to the king. 4The woman was very beautiful. She took care of the king and served him. But the king didn’t have sex with her.
5Adonijah was the son of David and his wife Haggith. He came forward and announced, “I’m going to be the next king.” So he got chariots and horses ready. He also got 50 men to run in front of him. 6His father had never tried to stop him from doing what he wanted to. His father had never asked him, “Why are you acting the way you do?” Adonijah was also very handsome. Now that Absalom was dead, Adonijah was David’s oldest son.
7Adonijah talked things over with Joab, the son of Zeruiah. He also talked with Abiathar the priest. They agreed to help him. 8But Zadok the priest and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, didn’t join Adonijah. Nathan the prophet didn’t join him. Shimei and Rei didn’t join him. And neither did David’s special guard.
9Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle and fat calves. He sacrificed them at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah. 10But he didn’t invite Benaiah or Nathan the prophet. He didn’t invite the special guard or his brother Solomon either.
11Nathan asked Solomon’s mother Bathsheba, “Haven’t you heard? Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has made himself king. And King David doesn’t know anything about it. 12So let me tell you what to do to save your life. It will also save the life of your son Solomon. 13Go in and see King David. Say to him, ‘You are my king and master. You promised me, “You can be sure that your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne.” If that’s really true, why has Adonijah become king?’ 14While you are still talking to the king, I’ll come in and support what you have said.”
15So Bathsheba went to see the old king in his room. Abishag, the Shunammite, was taking care of him there. 16Bathsheba bowed low in front of the king.
“What do you want?” the king asked.
17She said to him, “My master, you made a promise in the name of the Lord your God. You promised me, ‘Your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne.’ 18But now Adonijah has made himself king. And you don’t even know about it. 19He has sacrificed large numbers of cattle, fat calves and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons. He has also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he hasn’t invited your son Solomon. 20You are my king and master. All the Israelites are watching to see what you will do. They want to find out from you who will sit on the throne after you. 21If you don’t do something, I and my son Solomon will be treated like people who have committed crimes. That will happen as soon as you join the members of your family who have already died.”
22While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So Nathan went to the king. He bowed down with his face toward the ground.
24Nathan said, “You are my king and master. Have you announced that Adonijah will be king after you? Have you said he will sit on your throne? 25Today he has gone down outside the city. He has sacrificed large numbers of cattle, fat calves and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons. He has also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Even now they are eating and drinking with him. They are saying, ‘May King Adonijah live a long time!’ 26But he didn’t invite me. He didn’t invite Zadok the priest or Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada. He didn’t invite your son Solomon either. 27King David, have you allowed all of that to happen? Did you do it without letting us know about it? Why didn’t you tell us who is going to sit on your throne after you?”
David Makes Solomon King
28King David said, “Tell Bathsheba to come in.” So she came and stood in front of the king.
29Then the king made a promise. He said, “The Lord has saved me from all my troubles. You can be sure that he lives. 30And you can be just as sure I will do what I promised. This is the day I will do what I promised in the name of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. I promised you that your son Solomon would be king after me. He will sit on my throne in my place.”
31Then Bathsheba bowed down in front of the king. Her face was toward the ground. She said, “King David, you are my master. May you live forever!”
32King David said, “Tell Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet to come in. Also tell Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, to come.” So they came to the king. 33He said to them, “Take my officials with you. Have my son Solomon get on my own mule. Take him down to the Gihon spring. 34Have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him as king over Israel there. Blow a trumpet. Shout, ‘May King Solomon live a long time!’ 35Then come back up to the city with him. Have him sit on my throne. He will rule in my place. I’ve appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”
36Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, answered the king. “Amen!” he said. “May the Lord your God make it come true. 37You are my king and master. The Lord has been with you. May he also be with Solomon. King David, may the Lord make Solomon’s kingdom even greater than yours!”
38So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet left the palace. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, went with them. So did the Kerethites and Pelethites. They had Solomon get on King David’s mule. And they brought him down to the Gihon spring. 39Zadok the priest had taken an animal horn from the sacred tent. The horn was filled with olive oil. He anointed Solomon with the oil. A trumpet was blown. All the people shouted, “May King Solomon live a long time!” 40Then they went up toward the city. Solomon was leading the way. The people were playing flutes. They were filled with great joy. The ground shook because of all the noise.
41Adonijah and all his guests heard it. They were just finishing their meal. Joab heard the sound of the trumpet. So he asked, “What does all this noise in the city mean?”
42While Joab was still speaking, Jonathan arrived. Jonathan was the son of Abiathar the priest. Adonijah said, “Come in. I have respect for you. You must be bringing good news.”
43“No! I’m not!” Jonathan answered. “Our master King David has made Solomon king. 44David sent Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet along with Solomon. He also sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, with him. He sent the Kerethites and Pelethites with him too. They put him on the king’s mule. 45They took him down to the Gihon spring. There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him as king. Now they’ve gone back up to the city. They were cheering all the way. The city is filled with the sound of it. That’s the noise you hear. 46And that’s not all. Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. 47The royal officials came to give their blessing to our master King David. They said, ‘May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours! May he make Solomon’s kingdom greater than yours!’ While King David was sitting on his bed, he bowed in worship. 48He said, ‘I praise the Lord. He is the God of Israel. He has let me live to see my son sitting on my throne today as the next king.’ ”
49When all Adonijah’s guests heard that, they were terrified. So they got up and scattered. 50Adonijah was afraid of what Solomon might do to him. So he went and grabbed the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. Those horns stuck out from its upper corners. 51Then Solomon was told, “King Solomon, Adonijah is afraid of you. He’s holding onto the horns of the altar. He says, ‘I want King Solomon to make a promise today. I want him to promise that he won’t kill me with his sword.’ ”
52Solomon replied, “Let him show that he’s a man people can respect. Then not even one hair on his head will fall to the ground. But if I find out he’s done something evil, he will die.” 53King Solomon got some men to bring Adonijah down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon. Solomon said, “Go on home.”
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