1 Kings 1 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Kings 1 meaning explained in AI Summary

Chapter 1 of 1 Kings marks the beginning of the end for King David's reign and sets the stage for a dramatic power struggle.

David's Decline:

King David is old and frail, unable to stay warm. (v. 1-4)
His advisors, seeking a solution, find a beautiful young woman named Abishag to attend to him. She becomes his companion but they do not have sexual relations. (v. 2-4)

Adonijah's Usurpation:

Adonijah, David's fourth and oldest surviving son, sees an opportunity to seize the throne. (v. 5)
He gathers support from influential figures like Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, the priest. (v. 7)
Notably absent from his coalition are the prophet Nathan, Zadok the priest, Benaiah (leader of David's personal guard), and, most importantly, Solomon. (v. 8)
Adonijah throws a lavish feast, sacrificing animals and inviting his supporters, effectively declaring himself king without David's knowledge or consent. (v. 9)

Nathan's Intervention:

The prophet Nathan, loyal to David and aware of God's promise to David regarding Solomon, takes action. (v. 11-14)
He advises Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to remind David of his promise to make Solomon king. (v. 11-27)
Nathan himself arrives at the palace, confirming Bathsheba's words and exposing Adonijah's rebellion. (v. 28-31)

David's Response:

Enraged and betrayed, David acts decisively to secure Solomon's succession. (v. 32-37)
He instructs Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah to anoint Solomon king immediately. (v. 34)
Solomon is to ride on David's own mule, a symbol of royal authority, to Gihon, a spring near Jerusalem, for the anointing ceremony. (v. 33)

Solomon's Anointing:

David's loyal followers carry out his orders swiftly. (v. 38-40)
Zadok anoints Solomon king, blowing the trumpet to announce his ascension. (v. 39)
The people rejoice, celebrating Solomon's kingship with shouts of "Long live King Solomon!" (v. 40)

Adonijah's Fear:

The sound of celebration reaches Adonijah and his guests, throwing them into confusion and fear. (v. 41-49)
Jonathan, a son of Abiathar the priest, arrives and informs them of Solomon's anointing and the people's acceptance. (v. 42-46)
Adonijah's supporters, realizing their plan has failed, desert him in fear of Solomon's retribution. (v. 49)

Adonijah Seeks Mercy:

Terrified, Adonijah flees to the tabernacle and clings to the horns of the altar, a traditional place of asylum. (v. 50)
He pleads for Solomon's mercy, acknowledging his failed attempt to usurp the throne. (v. 51-53)

The Chapter Ends:

The chapter concludes with Solomon receiving news of Adonijah's plea and his promise to spare him if he proves loyal. (v. 52-53)

Themes:

Power and Succession: The chapter highlights the complexities and dangers of royal succession, even within a family.
Loyalty and Betrayal: The contrasting actions of David's advisors and sons reveal the importance of loyalty and the consequences of betrayal.
God's Promise: Despite the political maneuvering, the chapter emphasizes that God's promise to David, ensuring Solomon's kingship, will be fulfilled.

This chapter sets the stage for the rest of 1 Kings, which will explore Solomon's reign, his wisdom, his building projects (including the temple), and the eventual decline of his kingdom.

1 Kings 1 bible study ai commentary

The succession from David to Solomon marks a critical and turbulent transition, shifting from a charismatic, divinely chosen king to a dynastic monarchy. This chapter details the political maneuvering and court intrigue surrounding the throne of an aging and enfeebled King David. It highlights the conflict between Adonijah's presumptuous self-proclamation, rooted in tradition and military power, and Solomon's prophetic designation, secured through the strategic intervention of Nathan and Bathsheba. The narrative emphasizes that despite human scheming, God's chosen plan for the Davidic line prevails, setting the stage for the construction of the Temple and a new era for Israel.

1 Kings 1 context

The events occur in Jerusalem near the end of King David's 40-year reign (c. 970 B.C.). The culture of the Ancient Near East (ANE) viewed the king's physical vitality as a symbol of the kingdom's well-being and strength. A frail king signified a vulnerable nation, prompting succession crises. Unlike in Egypt or Mesopotamia, Israelite succession was not automatically determined by primogeniture (right of the firstborn); God's choice, often revealed by a prophet, was paramount. This chapter dramatizes the tension between human tradition (Adonijah, the eldest surviving son) and divine appointment (Solomon). The division in the royal court, with established figures like Joab and Abiathar pitted against the prophet Nathan and the priest Zadok, reflects a deep-seated political and religious realignment happening in Israel.

1 Kings 1:1-4

Now King David was old and advanced in years. And though they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm. Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, that my lord the king may be warm.” So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The young woman was very beautiful, and she was in his service and waited on the king, but the king did not know her sexually.

In-depth-analysis

David's State: His coldness is symbolic, representing not just physical frailty but impotence in power and authority. The kingdom is vulnerable because its leader is.
Abishag the Shunammite: Her role is a "living hot water bottle" but also a political test. The phrase "the king did not know her sexually" is critical. It publicly confirms David's inability to function as a king in the ANE sense, creating a power vacuum that Adonijah tries to fill.
Sokenet (Service/attendant): The Hebrew word used for Abishag's role implies more than a nurse; she is a high-level attendant with intimate access. Her status makes her a political pawn. The request to marry her in 1 Kings 2 is seen as a bid for the throne.
This scene provides the political justification for a new king to be named, as the current one is no longer fit to rule.

Bible references

Gen 47:31: "...then Israel bowed himself upon the head of the bed." (Jacob's similar old age and focus on succession).
2 Sam 3:2-5: "And sons were born to David in Hebron..." (Lists David's older sons, Amnon, Absalom, etc., all of whom are now dead, making Adonijah the eldest).
1 Kgs 2:17, 22: "Please ask King Solomon... to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife." ... "Why do you ask Abishag...? Ask for him the kingdom also!" (Confirms Abishag's political significance).

Cross references

2 Sam 13:1 (Amnon), 2 Sam 18:14-15 (Absalom), Gen 18:11 (Sarah old), Lk 1:18 (Zechariah old).

1 Kings 1:5-10

Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born after Absalom. He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed Adonijah and helped him. But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah. Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.

In-depth-analysis

Adonijah's Action: "Exalted himself" shows presumption. He mimics Absalom's rebellion by gathering chariots and a royal procession. He acts without his father's blessing or a prophet's anointing.
David's Negligence: "His father had never at any time displeased him" is a damning critique of David's parenting, a weakness seen with his other sons (Amnon, Absalom) that led to disaster.
A Divided Kingdom: Adonijah builds a coalition of the old guard: Joab (the ruthless military chief) and Abiathar (the priest from Eli's line). His fatal flaw is his exclusion list, revealing who the real powers loyal to God's plan are.
En-rogel: A spring on the outskirts of Jerusalem, a public place for a coronation feast, but distinct from the Gihon spring, which was closer to the city of David and the Tabernacle. This geographical choice highlights the illegitimacy of his claim.

Bible references

2 Sam 15:1: "After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him." (Adonijah directly copies his rebellious brother).
Prov 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Perfectly describes Adonijah's actions).
Num 16:1-3: "Now Korah... took men. And they rose up before Moses... 'You have gone too far!'" (An earlier example of self-exaltation against God's chosen leader).

Cross references

2 Sam 20:23-25 (Lists David's cabinet, showing the roles of Joab, Benaiah, Zadok, Abiathar), Lk 14:16-24 (Parable of the Great Banquet where the invited make excuses, echoed by Adonijah's selective invitation).

Polemics

Scholars note that Adonijah’s actions were standard for ANE succession bids. Claiming the throne based on being the eldest surviving son, backed by the army commander and a high priest, was a politically savvy move. The narrative’s polemic is that Israel's kingship is not determined by human political tradition but by divine prophetic-priestly appointment. The story subtly pits the old line of priests (Abiathar, descended from Eli who was judged) against the rising, more faithful line (Zadok, from Aaron).

1 Kings 1:11-27

Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon... “Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon...” Bathsheba went to the king... And she said to him, “My lord, you swore to your servant by the LORD your God, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’...” Nathan came in after her and said, "My lord the king, did you say, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me...’?"

In-depth-analysis

Nathan's Initiative: The prophet who once condemned David (2 Sam 12) now moves to secure the covenant line through Solomon. He understands the political reality: a rival claimant to the throne will eliminate all other potential heirs.
The Oath: It's unclear if David ever made this public oath. The Bible doesn't record it prior to this moment. Nathan and Bathsheba's coordinated effort may have been to force the aging king to make an oath he had either made privately, intended to make, or now needed to make to prevent civil war.
Political Theater: They structure their appeal perfectly. Bathsheba makes the emotional plea, appealing to their personal history and a promise. Nathan follows with the political and theological implications, framing it as a question of David's authority ("Did you say...?"). This pushes David to act decisively.

Bible references

2 Sam 12:24-25: "And the LORD loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD." (Shows God's favor on Solomon from birth and Nathan's long-standing connection to him).
1 Chr 22:9-10: “Behold, a son shall be born to you... his name shall be Solomon... He shall build a house for my name.” (The Chronicler records the promise explicitly, supporting the claim of Bathsheba and Nathan).
Est 4:13-14: "Do not think... you will escape... And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Parallels Nathan's appeal for decisive, life-saving action).

Cross references

Gen 27:6-10 (Rebekah's scheme for Jacob's blessing), 2 Sam 11 (David and Bathsheba's history), Est 7 (Esther's similar choreographed appeal to a king).

1 Kings 1:28-37

Then King David answered and said... "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ even so will I do this day.”... And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” ... And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

In-depth-analysis

David's Resurgence: The enfeebled king is roused to action. He reaffirms the oath, grounding it in God's faithfulness throughout his life ("who has redeemed my soul").
Symbolic Acts of Legitimization:
1. David's Mule: A king's personal animal. Riding it was a clear public sign of the king's designated heir. Absalom and Adonijah rode on chariots, symbols of military might; Solomon rides the mule of peace and rightful inheritance.
2. Gihon Spring: Jerusalem's main water source, a place of life, and critically, located inside the Kidron valley, visible to the public. It contrasts with Adonijah's more remote location.
3. Zadok and Nathan: The legitimate priest and prophet must officiate.
4. Trumpet (Shofar) and Acclamation: Public announcement and acceptance by the people.

Bible references

Zech 9:9: "Rejoice greatly... O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Christ's entry into Jerusalem deliberately mirrors Solomon's peaceful, rightful procession on a mule, contrasting with the world's conquering kings on warhorses).
1 Sam 16:13: "Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." (Anointing marks the king as God's chosen and empowers him for service).
Ex 30:25, 30: "And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil... And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them..." (Connects Solomon's anointing to the sacred Tabernacle tradition, underscoring its holiness).

Cross references

Mt 21:1-11 (Triumphal Entry), Rev 11:15 (The kingdom of our Lord proclaimed with trumpets).

1 Kings 1:38-48

So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet... went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon... And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise... Jonathan answered... “No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king... and the king has bowed himself on his bed. And the king has also said, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted one of my offspring to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.’”

In-depth-analysis

Official vs. Illegitimate: Solomon's anointing is swift, decisive, and official, involving the proper personnel, symbols, and location.
The Sound of Joy: The "earth was split by their noise," a hyperbolic expression of immense joy and popular support. This sound of life and celebration directly interrupts Adonijah's feast of rebellion.
Jonathan's Report: The son of Abiathar delivers the news that dismantles Adonijah's coup. He confirms not just Solomon's anointing but also David's active participation and blessing, removing any doubt about the transfer of power.
David's Blessing: David's final public act is one of worship, blessing God for allowing him to see the covenant succession fulfilled with his own eyes. This is the peaceful culmination of God's promise.

Bible references

2 Kgs 11:12-14: "Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown on him... and they proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, 'Long live the king!'" (Shows the standard ritual for coronation, which was followed for Solomon).
Ps 72 (title): "A Psalm of Solomon." (This royal psalm describes the ideal reign of justice and peace, fitting the hope placed in Solomon at his coronation).
Lk 1:68: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people." (Zacharias's blessing for John the Baptist echoes the joy and fulfillment of God's promise seen in David's blessing).

Cross references

Josh 6:20 (Jericho's walls falling to sound), Lk 2:29-32 (Simeon seeing the Messiah).

1 Kings 1:49-53

Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way. And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Then it was told Solomon, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of 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.’” And Solomon said, “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed down to King Solomon. And Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

In-depth-analysis

Horns of the Altar: In the ANE and in Mosaic law, the altar was a place of sanctuary. Grasping the horns was a plea for mercy and protection from vengeance.
Solomon's First Judgment: This is the new king's first test. He acts not with rash vengeance but with wisdom and conditional mercy.
If he will show himself a worthy man: Solomon's clemency is not a blank check. He sets a probation. This foreshadows the events of 1 Kings 2, where Adonijah's wickedness is found in him, leading to his execution.
Bowing Down: Adonijah, who "exalted himself," is now forced to bow down, acknowledging Solomon as the rightful king. The power dynamic has been completely inverted.

Bible references

Ex 21:14: "But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death." (The Law specified that the altar was not a sanctuary for premeditated evil, a principle Solomon later applies to Adonijah and Joab).
1 Kgs 2:23-25: "And King Solomon swore... 'Adonijah has spoken this word against his own life... So King Solomon sent Benaiah... who struck him down, and he died.'" (The fulfillment of the condition Solomon sets here).
Php 2:9-11: "Therefore God has highly exalted him... so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." (A New Testament echo of the illegitimate exalter being brought low and bowing to the rightful king).

Cross references

2 Sam 18:32 (David's misplaced mercy for Absalom), Mt 18:23-35 (Parable of the unforgiving servant, deals with conditional mercy).

1 Kings Chapter 1 Analysis

Typology of Kingship: Adonijah represents kingship by human means: age, appearance, political coalition, self-exaltation. Solomon represents kingship by divine means: God's prior choice, prophetic word, priestly anointing, and Davidic authority. This becomes a paradigm for the Bible's view of true vs. false authority.
Fulfillment of God's Word: The entire chapter is the dramatic outworking of promises made in 2 Samuel 7 (the Davidic Covenant) and the prophetic word about Solomon's birthright (2 Sam 12:24-25, 1 Chr 22:9). Human weakness (David's frailty) and sin (Adonijah's rebellion) cannot thwart the divine plan.
The Passing of an Era: The chapter vividly portrays the transfer of power from the old guard (Joab, Abiathar) to the new (Benaiah, Zadok). This is not just political but theological. Abiathar is from the line of Eli, a line judged by God (1 Sam 2:30-36), and his eventual removal by Solomon (1 Kings 2:27) is seen as a fulfillment of that prophecy.
Solomon as a Type of Christ: Solomon (Heb. Shlomo, meaning "peaceful") is established as the king of peace on David's throne. His procession on a mule, his title "Son of David," and his role in building the temple all prefigure Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prince of Peace who builds the true temple (His church) and sits on David's eternal throne (Luke 1:32-33).

1 Kings 1 Summary

In his old age, King David is frail and unable to rule, creating a power vacuum. His eldest surviving son, Adonijah, arrogantly attempts to seize the throne with the support of the military chief Joab and the priest Abiathar. Alerted to the conspiracy by the prophet Nathan, Bathsheba convinces David to honor his private promise to make her son, Solomon, king. Roused to action, David commands the official anointing of Solomon, who is triumphantly enthroned with the backing of the prophet Nathan, the priest Zadok, and the people. Adonijah’s coup instantly collapses, and he pleads for his life, which Solomon grants on the condition of future good behavior. The chapter establishes the divinely chosen Solomonic succession over a humanly contrived usurpation.

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1 Kings chapter 1 kjv

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 showed 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 today that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
⁵² And Solomon said, If he will show 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 Kings chapter 1 nkjv

¹ Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm.
² Therefore his servants said to him, "Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm."
³ So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
⁴ The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.
⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
⁶ (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, "Why have you done so?" He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.)
⁷ Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah.
⁸ But 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.
⁹ And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants.
¹⁰ But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.
¹¹ So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, "Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it?
¹² Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
¹³ Go immediately to King David and say to him, 'Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, "Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?'
¹⁴ Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words."
¹⁵ So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)
¹⁶ And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, "What is your wish?"
¹⁷ Then she said to him, "My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your maidservant, saying, 'Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.'
¹⁸ So now, look! Adonijah has become king; and now, my lord the king, you do not know about it.
¹⁹ He has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army; but Solomon your servant he has not invited.
²⁰ And as for you, my lord, O 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.
²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders."
²² And just then, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
²³ So they told the king, saying, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
²⁴ And Nathan said, "My lord, O king, have you said, 'Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne'?
²⁵ For he has gone down today, and has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and look! They are eating and drinking before him; and they say, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
²⁶ But he has not invited me?me your servant?nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.
²⁷ Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not told your servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?"
²⁸ Then King David answered and said, "Call Bathsheba to me." So she came into the king's presence and stood before the king.
²⁹ And the king took an oath and said, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress,
³⁰ just as I swore to you by the LORD God of Israel, saying, 'Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,' so I certainly will do this day."
³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, "Let my lord King David live forever!"
³² And King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada." So they came before the king.
³³ The king also said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon.
³⁴ There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, 'Long live King Solomon!'
³⁵ Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah."
³⁶ Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, "Amen! May the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.
³⁷ As 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, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and took him to Gihon.
³⁹ Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!"
⁴⁰ And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound.
⁴¹ Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, "Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?"
⁴² While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, "Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news."
⁴³ Then Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, "No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king.
⁴⁴ The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king's mule.
⁴⁵ So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard.
⁴⁶ Also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom.
⁴⁷ And moreover the king's servants have gone to bless our lord King David, saying, 'May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.' Then the king bowed himself on the bed.
⁴⁸ Also the king said thus, 'Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!' "
⁴⁹ So all the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went his way.
⁵⁰ Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar.
⁵¹ And it was told Solomon, saying, "Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.' "
⁵² Then Solomon said, "If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die."
⁵³ So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."

1 Kings chapter 1 niv

¹ When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him.
² So his attendants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm."
³ Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
⁴ The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her.
⁵ Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, "I will be king." So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him.
⁶ (His father had never rebuked him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?" He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)
⁷ Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support.
⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David's special guard did not join Adonijah.
⁹ Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah,
¹⁰ but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.
¹¹ Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it?
¹² Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
¹³ Go in to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: "Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?'
¹⁴ While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said."
¹⁵ So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him.
¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king. "What is it you want?" the king asked.
¹⁷ She said to him, "My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the LORD your God: 'Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.'
¹⁸ But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it.
¹⁹ He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, 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 Solomon your servant.
²⁰ My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
²¹ Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals."
²² While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
²³ And the king was told, "Nathan the prophet is here." So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground.
²⁴ Nathan said, "Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne?
²⁵ Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
²⁶ But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite.
²⁷ Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?"
²⁸ Then King David said, "Call in Bathsheba." So she came into the king's presence and stood before him.
²⁹ The king then took an oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble,
³⁰ I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place."
³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground, prostrating herself before the king, and said, "May my lord King David live forever!"
³² King David said, "Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." When they came before the king,
³³ he said to them: "Take your lord's servants with you and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon.
³⁴ There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'
³⁵ Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah."
³⁶ Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it.
³⁷ As the LORD was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!"
³⁸ So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon mount King David's mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.
³⁹ Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
⁴⁰ And all the people went up after him, playing pipes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound.
⁴¹ Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, "What's the meaning of all the noise in the city?"
⁴² Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, "Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news."
⁴³ "Not at all!" Jonathan answered. "Our lord King David has made Solomon king.
⁴⁴ The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king's mule,
⁴⁵ and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds with it. That's the noise you hear.
⁴⁶ Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne.
⁴⁷ Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!' And the king bowed in worship on his bed
⁴⁸ and said, 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.'?"
⁴⁹ At this, all Adonijah's guests rose in alarm and dispersed.
⁵⁰ But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar.
⁵¹ Then Solomon was told, "Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'?"
⁵² Solomon replied, "If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die."
⁵³ Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, "Go to your home."

1 Kings chapter 1 esv

¹ Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm.
² Therefore his servants said to him, "Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, that my lord the king may be warm."
³ So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
⁴ The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.
⁵ Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
⁶ His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, "Why have you done thus and so?" He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom.
⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him.
⁸ But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah.
⁹ Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah,
¹⁰ but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.
¹¹ Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, "Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it?
¹² Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
¹³ Go in at once to King David, and say to him, 'Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, "Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne"? Why then is Adonijah king?'
¹⁴ Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words."
¹⁵ So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king).
¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, "What do you desire?"
¹⁷ She said to him, "My lord, you swore to your servant by the LORD your God, saying, 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.'
¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it.
¹⁹ He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he has not invited.
²⁰ And now, 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.
²¹ Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders."
²² While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.
²³ And they told the king, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground.
²⁴ And Nathan said, "My lord the king, have you said, 'Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne'?
²⁵ For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
²⁶ But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited.
²⁷ Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?"
²⁸ Then King David answered, "Call Bathsheba to me." So she came into the king's presence and stood before the king.
²⁹ And the king swore, saying, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity,
³⁰ as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,' even so will I do this day."
³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king and said, "May 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." So they came before the king.
³³ And the king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
³⁴ And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, 'Long live King Solomon!'
³⁵ You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah."
³⁶ And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so.
³⁷ As 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, and 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.
³⁹ There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!"
⁴⁰ And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.
⁴¹ Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, "What does this uproar in the city mean?"
⁴² While he was still speaking, 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, "No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king,
⁴⁴ and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they had him ride on the king's mule.
⁴⁵ And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard.
⁴⁶ Solomon sits on the royal throne.
⁴⁷ Moreover, the king's servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.' And the king bowed himself on the bed.
⁴⁸ And the king also said, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted someone to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.'"
⁴⁹ Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way.
⁵⁰ And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar.
⁵¹ Then it was told Solomon, "Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of 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.'"
⁵² And Solomon said, "If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs 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. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."

1 Kings chapter 1 nlt

¹ King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.
² So his advisers told him, "Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm."
³ So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.
⁴ The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.
⁵ About that time David's son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, "I will make myself king." So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him.
⁶ Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, "Why are you doing that?" Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.
⁷ Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king.
⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.
⁹ Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers ? the other sons of King David ? and all the royal officials of Judah.
¹⁰ But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king's bodyguard or his brother Solomon.
¹¹ Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked her, "Haven't you heard that Haggith's son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn't even know about it?
¹² If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice.
¹³ Go at once to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, didn't you make a vow and say to me, "Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?'
¹⁴ And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said."
¹⁵ So Bathsheba went into the king's bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)
¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed down before the king. "What can I do for you?" he asked her.
¹⁷ She replied, "My lord, you made a vow before the LORD your God when you said to me, 'Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.'
¹⁸ But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it.
¹⁹ He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king's sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.
²⁰ And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.
²¹ If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died."
²² While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
²³ The king's officials told him, "Nathan the prophet is here to see you." Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.
²⁴ Nathan asked, "My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne?
²⁵ Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king's sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
²⁶ But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon.
²⁷ Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?"
²⁸ King David responded, "Call Bathsheba!" So she came back in and stood before the king.
²⁹ And the king repeated his vow: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has rescued me from every danger,
³⁰ your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the LORD, the God of Israel."
³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, "May my lord King David live forever!"
³² Then King David ordered, "Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." When they came into the king's presence,
³³ the king said to them, "Take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule.
³⁴ There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram's horn and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'
³⁵ Then escort him back here, and he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah."
³⁶ "Amen!" Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. "May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen.
³⁷ And may the LORD be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon's reign even greater than yours!"
³⁸ So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king's bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David's own mule.
³⁹ There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram's horn and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
⁴⁰ And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.
⁴¹ Adonijah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of the ram's horn, he asked, "What's going on? Why is the city in such an uproar?"
⁴² And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. "Come in," Adonijah said to him, "for you are a good man. You must have good news."
⁴³ "Not at all!" Jonathan replied. "Our lord King David has just declared Solomon king!
⁴⁴ The king sent him down to Gihon Spring with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, protected by the king's bodyguard. They had him ride on the king's own mule,
⁴⁵ and Zadok and Nathan have anointed him at Gihon Spring as the new king. They have just returned, and the whole city is celebrating and rejoicing. That's what all the noise is about.
⁴⁶ What's more, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king.
⁴⁷ And all the royal officials have gone to King David and congratulated him, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's fame even greater than your own, and may Solomon's reign be even greater than yours!' Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed,
⁴⁸ and he said, 'Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.'"
⁴⁹ Then all of Adonijah's guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered.
⁵⁰ Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar.
⁵¹ Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, "Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!"
⁵² Solomon replied, "If he proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched. But if he makes trouble, he will die."
⁵³ So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, "Go on home."