1 Kings 1:28-40

New International Reader's Version

David Makes Solomon King

²⁸ King David said, “Tell Bathsheba to come in.” So she came and stood in front of the king.

²⁹ Then the king made a promise. He said, “The Lord has saved me from all my troubles. You can be sure that he lives. ³⁰ And you can be just as sure I will do what I promised. This is the day I will do what I promised in the name of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. I promised you that your son Solomon would be king after me. He will sit on my throne in my place.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed down in front of the king. Her face was toward the ground. She said, “King David, you are my master. May you live forever!”

³² King David said, “Tell Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet to come in. Also tell Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, to come.” So they came to the king. ³³ He said to them, “Take my officials with you. Have my son Solomon get on my own mule. Take him down to the Gihon spring. ³⁴ Have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him as king over Israel there. Blow a trumpet. Shout, ‘May King Solomon live a long time!’ ³⁵ Then come back up to the city with him. Have him sit on my throne. He will rule in my place. I’ve appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

³⁶ Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, answered the king. “Amen!” he said. “May the Lord your God make it come true. ³⁷ You are my king and master. The Lord has been with you. May he also be with Solomon. King David, may the Lord make Solomon’s kingdom even greater than yours!”

³⁸ So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet left the palace. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, went with them. So did the Kerethites and Pelethites. They had Solomon get on King David’s mule. And they brought him down to the Gihon spring. ³⁹ Zadok the priest had taken an animal horn from the sacred tent. The horn was filled with olive oil. He anointed Solomon with the oil. A trumpet was blown. All the people shouted, “May King Solomon live a long time!” ⁴⁰ Then they went up toward the city. Solomon was leading the way. The people were playing flutes. They were filled with great joy. The ground shook because of all the noise.