1 Kings 1
1
Rivalry for the Throne
1Now King David was old, advanced in years. Though they covered him with clothes, he could not keep warm.
2So his servants said to him: “Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her attend the king and be his nurse; and let her lie by your side, so my lord the king may keep warm.”
3So they sought for a beautiful girl throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
4The girl was very beautiful. So she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king was not intimate with her.
5Now Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying: “I’ll be king!” So he prepared for himself chariots, horsemen and 50 men to run before him.
6His father had not scolded him at any time by asking: “Why have you behaved this way?” He was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.
7So he conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the kohen. Following Adonijah, they supported him.
8But Zadok the kohen, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei and David’s mighty men, were not on Adonijah’s side.
9Then Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel, and invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants,
10but he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon.
11But Nathan spoke to Bath-sheba, Solomon’s mother, saying: “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has assumed the kingship—and our lord David doesn’t know it?
12Now come, please let me give you advice. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon!
13Go at once to King David, and say to him: ‘My lord the king, haven’t you sworn to your handmaid, saying: “Surely your son Solomon will become king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Then why does Adonijah reign?’
14Behold, while you are still there talking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”
15So Bath-sheba went to the king into the chamber. Now the king was very old, with Abishag the Shunammite serving the king.
16Bath-sheba bowed and prostrated herself to the king. The king asked, “What troubles you?”
17She said to him: “My lord, you swore by Adonai your God to your handmaid: ‘Surely, Solomon your son will be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.’
18Yet now, behold, Adonijah reigns, though you do not know it—my lord the king.
19He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the kohen and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant.
20As for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered traitors.”
22Then behold, while she was still talking with the king, the prophet Nathan came in,
23and they informed the king, saying: “Behold the prophet Nathan is here.” When he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.
24Then Nathan said: “My lord the king, did you say: ‘Adonijah shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’
25For he has gone down today, slain oxen, fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the captains of the army and Abiathar the kohen—and behold, they are eating and drinking with him, and they are saying: ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
26But he did not invite me, your servant, Zadok the kohen, Benaiah son of Jehoiada or your servant Solomon.
27Was this thing done by my lord the king, without letting your servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
28Then King David answered and said: “Summon Bath-sheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.
29Then the king swore an oath: “As Adonai lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all distress,
30as surely as I swore to you by Adonai, the God of Israel, saying that your son Solomon will be king after me and will sit on my throne in my place. Thus I will surely fulfill it this day!”
31Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the ground and prostrated herself before the king, and said: “Let my lord King David live forever!”
32Then King David said: “Summon to me Zadok the kohen, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came before the king,
33the king said to them: “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have my son Solomon ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
34There let Zadok the kohen and Nathan the prophet anoint him as king over Israel, blow the shofar and say: ‘Long live King Solomon!’
35Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne. For he shall be king in my place, as I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.”
36Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king and said: “Amen! Thus says Adonai, the God of my lord the king.
37As Adonai has been with my lord the king, so will He be with Solomon and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David!”
38So Zadok the kohen, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down, and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
39Then Zadok the kohen took the horn of oil out of the Tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the shofar, and all the people said: “Long live King Solomon!”
40All the people went up after him, while the people were playing on flutes and rejoicing with great joy, so that the ground shook at their noise.
41Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it, just as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the shofar, he said: “Why is the city in an uproar?”
42While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan son of Abiathar the kohen came, and Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a valiant man, and surely bringing good news.”
43But Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah: “No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king.
44Also the king has sent with him Zadok the kohen, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and they had him ride on the king’s mule.
45Zadok the kohen and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have come up rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar—that’s the noise that you heard.
46Also Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne.
47Moreover, the king’s courtiers came to bless our lord King David, saying: ‘May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and his throne greater than your throne!’ Then the king bowed down on the bed.
48Furthermore the king said, ‘Blessed be Adonai, God of Israel, who this day has given one to sit on my throne, while my eyes are seeing it.’”
49Trembling, all the guests of Adonijah got up and each went his own way.
50Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he arose, went, and grasped the horns of the altar.
51 So it was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for look, he grasped the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’”
52Then Solomon said, “If he shows himself a worthy man, then not a hair of him will fall to the ground. But if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”
53So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him: “Go to your home.”
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Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
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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