1 Kings, Chapter 1:

Verses from 1 Kings, Chapter 1 of the book of 1 Samuel of the Bible.

Adonijah wants to be king

• 1. When King David grew old and was already old, he felt cold even when covered with blankets.
• 2. His servants suggested, “Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and look after him. She will lie down beside you to keep you warm.”
• 3. They searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman, and they found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
• 4. The young woman was very beautiful and took care of the king, serving him, but the king had no relations with her.
• 5. Adonijah, son of Haggite, decided to proclaim himself king and provided a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to run ahead of him.
• 6. His father had never questioned his actions, nor did he ask him why. Adonijah was handsome and was born after Absalom.
• 7. Adonijah made an agreement with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, and they followed him and supported him.
• 8. However, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei the King, and David's bodyguard did not support Adonijah.
• 9. Adonijah offered sacrifices of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep at the stone of Zoelet, near En-rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the counselors of Judah,
• 10. except the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, the bodyguard and his brother Solomon.
• 11. Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, “Do you not know that Adonijah son of Haggite proclaimed himself king without the knowledge of our lord David?
• 12. Now let me give you some advice to save your life and that of your son Solomon.
• 13. Go to King David and ask, 'My lord, was it not you who swore to your servant, saying, “Your son Solomon will succeed me as king and sit on my throne”? Why, then, did Adonijah become king?'
• 14. While you are still talking to the king, I will come in and confirm your words.”
• 15. Then Bathsheba went to the elderly king's room, where the Shunammite Abishag was taking care of him.
• 16. Bathsheba fell facedown before the king. “What do you want?” asked the king.
• 17. She replied, “My lord, you swore by the life of the Lord your God to your servant, saying, 'Your son Solomon will succeed me as king and sit on my throne.'
• 18. However, Adonijah proclaimed himself king without his knowledge.
• 19. He offered sacrifices of many oxen, fattened calves, and sheep. He invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab, commander of the army, but he did not invite his servant Solomon.
• 20. Now, my lord and king, all the eyes of Israel are upon you, waiting for you to announce who will be the king's successor on the throne.
• 21. Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as traitors.”
• 22. While Bathsheba was still talking to the king, the prophet Nathan arrived.
• 23. The king was told that Nathan the prophet was there, and he went in and fell facedown before the king.
• 24. Nathan said, “O king, my lord, did you proclaim that Adonijah would be king and sit on his throne?
• 25. Today he is offering sacrifices of oxen, fattened calves and sheep. He invited all the king's sons, the army commanders and the priest Abiathar. They are eating and drinking with him, saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
• 26. However, he did not invite me, his servant, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor his servant Solomon.
• 27. Did my lord the king do all this without telling us who would be his successor on the throne?”

Solomon is proclaimed king

• 28. Then King David gave the following order: “Call Bathsheba.” She entered and stood before the king.
• 29. The king swore an oath: “I swear by the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, who rescued my life from all troubles,
• 30. that today I will do what I promised you in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. Your son Solomon will succeed me as king and sit on my throne in my place.”
• 31. Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king: “May my lord King David live forever!”
• 32. King David ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came before the king,
• 33. He said to them, “Take your master's servants with you, and have Solomon ride my mule and take him to Gihon.
• 34. There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him as king of Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout: 'Long live King Solomon!'
• 35. Follow him until he arrives and sits on my throne. He will reign in my place, for I appointed him to be leader of Israel and Judah.”
• 36. Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of the king, my lord, confirm this.
• 37. As the Lord was with the king, my lord, may he also be with Solomon and make his reign even more glorious than the reign of my lord King David!”
• 38. Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites and the Pelethites made Solomon ride King David's mule and brought him to Gihon.
• 39. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”
• 40. All the people followed him, playing flutes and celebrating with great joy, so that the earth shook with the noise.
• 41. Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard this as they were finishing their meal. When they heard the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked: “What does this uproar and shouting in the city mean?”
• 42. While he was still speaking, Jonathan, son of Abiathar the priest, arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a good man and certainly bring good news!”
• 43. Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Not at all! Our lord David proclaimed Solomon as king.
• 44. The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and they made him ride the king's mule.
• 45. Then Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king in Gihon. From there, they came back celebrating, and the whole city is celebrating. That was the noise you heard.
• 46. Furthermore, Solomon is already seated on the royal throne.
• 47. The king's officials came to congratulate David, our lord, saying: 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and may his reign be more glorious than your reign!' And the king bowed in reverence on the bed.
• 48. He said, 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has given me today someone to sit on my throne and see with his own eyes.'
• 49. All of Adonijah's guests were terrified and scattered.
• 50. Adonijah, afraid of Solomon, went and clung to the horns of the altar.
• 51. They told Solomon, “Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and has clung to the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear that he will not kill me with the sword!' “
• 52. Solomon replied, “If he proves himself worthy, I will not harm him. But if there is evil in his heart, he will die.”
• 53. Then King Solomon sent men, who took him down from the altar. Adonijah came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, who said to him, “Go home.”

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