1 Kings 1

Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

King David, now aged and frail, was wrapped in layers of clothing, yet he couldn't shake off the cold.

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.

His servants suggested, "Let's find a young maiden for our king. She can care for him, share his bed, and keep him warm."

So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

They searched all across Israel for a beautiful young woman. They found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.

And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

The young girl was strikingly beautiful. She took care of the king and served him faithfully, but the king had no sexual relations with her.

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.

Adonijah, Haggith's son, filled with pride, declared, "I will be king!" He readied his chariots, horsemen, and fifty runners to lead his procession.

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.

His father never once scolded him, never questioned his actions. He was also very handsome, and he was born next after Absalom.

And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

He sought advice from Joab, Zeruiah's son, and Abiathar, the priest. They, siding with Adonijah, gave him their support.

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.

Zadok the priest, Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's mighty men did not stand with Adonijah. Their hearts were elsewhere, their loyalty unwavering.

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:

Adonijah, in a grand display of power, slaughtered sheep, oxen, and plump cattle near the stone of Zoheleth, by Enrogel. He then summoned his royal brothers and all the loyal men of Judah to join him.

But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the valiant warriors, and his own brother Solomon, he did not summon. Their absence was felt, their voices unheard.

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?

Nathan turned to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, his voice filled with concern. "Haven't you heard?" he asked. "Adonijah, Haggith's son, is ruling. And our dear David is oblivious!"

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.

Please, let me advise you, so you and your son Solomon can stay safe.

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?

Go to King David and remind him gently, "My lord, didn't you promise me that our son Solomon would be the next king? Why then is Adonijah ruling?"

Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

While you're still speaking with the king, I'll follow you in and back up your words.

And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

Bathsheba entered the king's private room. The king was now very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was there, caring for him.

And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

Bathsheba respectfully knelt before the king, her heart pounding. The king, with a curious gaze, asked, "What do you wish for?"

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.

She pleaded with him, "My love, you promised before God, assuring me that our son Solomon will succeed you as king and inherit your throne."

And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

Adonijah is now king, and you, my dear lord, are unaware of it.

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.

He has killed many oxen, fat cattle, and sheep, and invited all the king's sons, the priest Abiathar, and the army captain Joab. But he didn't invite your servant Solomon.

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.

My lord, the king, all of Israel is watching you, eagerly waiting for you to announce your successor.

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.

If the king, my lord, joins his ancestors in rest, they will see me and my son Solomon as criminals.

And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

As she was still deep in conversation with the king, Nathan the prophet quietly entered the room.

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.

They informed the king, "Look, it's Prophet Nathan." As Nathan entered the king's presence, he humbly bowed low, his face touching the ground.

And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

Nathan asked, "My lord, did you really say that Adonijah will be king after you and take your throne?"

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.

Today, he has descended, slaughtering plenty of oxen, fat cattle, and sheep. He has summoned the king's sons, the army leaders, and Priest Abiathar. They feast and toast in his honor, chanting, "Long live King Adonijah!"

But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

But even I, your humble servant, along with Zadok the priest, Benaiah, Jehoiada's son, and your servant Solomon, weren't we overlooked?

Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

Did my king do this without letting me, his servant, know who will succeed him on the throne?

Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

With a gentle voice, King David requested, "Bring Bathsheba to me." Upon his call, she entered, standing humbly in the king's presence.

And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

With a heartfelt promise, the king declared, "By the living God who saved me from all my troubles!"

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.

As I promised you, with God as my witness, your son Solomon will surely succeed me as king and take my place on the throne. Today, I will make this happen.

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.

Bathsheba humbly knelt, her face touching the ground in deep respect for the king. With a heartfelt plea, she said, "May King David, my lord, live eternally."

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.

King David requested, "Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, Jehoiada's son." With anticipation, they approached the king.

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:

The king passionately instructed them, "Take your lord's servants with you. Let my son Solomon ride on my personal mule. Guide him safely to Gihon."

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.

Let Zadok, our priest, and Nathan, our prophet, crown him as Israel's king. Sound the trumpet and joyfully proclaim, "May God protect King Solomon!"

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.

After him, you'll rise, so he may ascend and sit on my throne. He's destined to be king in my place, chosen to rule both Israel and Judah.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.

Benaiah, Jehoiada's son, responded to the king with conviction, "Yes, may the God of my king affirm this too."

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.

May the LORD, who has always guided our king, also be with Solomon. May He elevate Solomon's reign, making it even more glorious than King David's.

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.

Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, Jehoiada's son, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites, humbly guided Solomon onto King David's mule. Together, they led him with reverence and anticipation to Gihon.

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.

Zadok the priest, with deep reverence, took a horn filled with sacred oil from the tabernacle and gently anointed Solomon. The trumpet's triumphant sound echoed, and the people, filled with hope and joy, cried out in unison, "May God protect our King Solomon!"

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.

Everyone followed him, their joyful cheers and music echoing so loudly that it seemed to shake the very earth.

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?

Adonijah and his guests overheard the commotion just as they finished their meal. Joab, startled by the trumpet's blare, questioned, "Why is the city in such chaos?"

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.

As he was still speaking, Jonathan, the priest Abiathar's son, arrived. Adonijah warmly welcomed him, saying, "Come in, brave man, you always bring good news."

And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.

Jonathan responded to Adonijah with a heavy heart, "Indeed, our beloved King David has chosen Solomon as our new king."

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:

The king sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, Jehoiada's son, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites. Together, they helped him mount the king's mule.

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.

Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet joyfully crowned him king in Gihon. Their jubilant return filled the city with such cheer that it echoed throughout. That's the sound you heard.

And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.

Solomon, filled with a sense of awe and responsibility, takes his seat on the throne, now the ruler of the kingdom.

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.

The king's aides came to honor our beloved King David, praying, "May God make Solomon's reputation surpass yours, and his reign more glorious than yours." Overwhelmed, the king humbly bowed on his bed.

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.

The king joyfully exclaimed, "Praise be to the LORD God of Israel, who has graciously chosen someone to succeed my throne today, and I am fortunate to witness it with my own eyes."

And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.

All of Adonijah's guests were gripped by fear. They quickly stood up and fled in different directions.

And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

Adonijah, terrified of Solomon, hastily got up, fled, and clung desperately to the altar's horns for protection.

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.

News reached Solomon that Adonijah was terrified of him. Adonijah had clung to the altar's horns, pleading, "May Solomon promise me today he won't kill his servant."

And Solomon said, If he will shew 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.

Solomon declared, "If he proves himself honorable, not a single hair on his head will be harmed. But if he is found to be evil, he will meet his end."

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.

King Solomon commanded, and they escorted him from the sacred altar. He approached Solomon, humbly bowing before him. Solomon gently told him, "Return to your home."