1 Kings 1
1
1 Now King David was old and advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he couldn’t keep warm. 2Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” 3So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.
5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom. 7He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him. 8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants; 10but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.
11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it? 12Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life. 13Go in to King David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then does Adonijah reign?’ 14Behold,#1:14 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”
15 Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. 16Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”
17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD#1:17 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “Lord” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name. your God#1:17 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim). to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it. 19He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant. 20You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”
22 Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!”
When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24Nathan said, “My lord, King, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon. 27Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 30most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”
31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!”
32 King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king. 33The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. 34Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the shofar, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35Then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne; for he shall be king in my place. I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.”
36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, “Amen. May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. 37As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”
38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon. 39Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the shofar; and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
40 All the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound. 41Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they had finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the shofar, he said, “Why is this noise of the city being in an uproar?”
42 While he yet spoke, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said, “Come in; for you are a worthy man, and bring good news.”
43 Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Most certainly our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule. 45Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon. They have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you have heard. 46Also, Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. 47Moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne;’ and the king bowed himself on the bed. 48Also thus said the king, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne today, my eyes even seeing it.’”
49 All the guests of Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and each man went his way. 50Adonijah was afraid because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and hung onto the horns of the altar. 51Solomon was told, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon; for, behold, he is hanging onto the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’”
52 Solomon said, “If he shows himself a worthy man, not a hair of his shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”
53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”
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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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