王位之争

大卫王年纪老迈,虽然盖了几层被子,仍然觉得冷。 他的臣仆建议:“不如选一位少女进宫伺候、照顾我主我王,让她睡在王怀中给王取暖。”

于是,他们在以色列全国寻找美貌女子,找到了一位名叫雅比莎的书念少女,把她带到王那里。 这女子长得花容月貌,她照顾、伺候王,但王没有与她同房。

那时,哈姬的儿子亚多尼雅妄自尊大,说:“我必做王。”他为自己制备了车辆和骑兵,派五十人在前面开路。 他父亲从不干涉、责问他:“你这是做什么?”他是押沙龙的弟弟,长得英俊非凡。

亚多尼雅与洗鲁雅的儿子约押及祭司亚比亚他商议,二人都答应支持他。 不过,撒督祭司、耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅、拿单先知、示每、利以和大卫的勇士却没有跟随他。

一天,亚多尼雅在隐·罗结附近的琐希列磐石那里宰了牛羊和肥牛犊献祭,并邀请了众王子和犹大的群臣。 10 可是他没有邀请拿单先知、比拿雅、大卫的勇士和他的兄弟所罗门。

11 拿单对所罗门的母亲拔示芭说:“你没有听说吗?哈姬的儿子亚多尼雅做王了,我们的主大卫还不知道。 12 事到如今,我有一个主意,可以保住你和你儿子所罗门的性命。 13 你去见大卫王,对他说,‘我主我王啊,你不是起誓说让臣妾的儿子所罗门继承王位吗?怎么现在亚多尼雅做了王呢?’ 14 你跟王说话的时候,我会进去证实你的话。”

15 拔示芭就进内室去见年迈的王,书念的少女雅比莎正在伺候他。 16 拔示芭向王屈身下拜。王问道:“你有什么事吗?” 17 拔示芭回答说:“我主啊,你曾经凭你的上帝耶和华起誓说让臣妾的儿子所罗门继承你的王位,坐你的宝座。 18 但现在亚多尼雅已经称王了,我主我王还不知道。 19 他宰了许多牛羊和肥牛犊献祭,邀请众王子、亚比亚他祭司和约押元帅,却没有邀请你的仆人所罗门。 20 我主我王啊!以色列举国拭目以待,等着王来指定谁继承王位。 21 不然,到我主我王与祖先同眠之后,我和我儿所罗门必被定为罪人。”

22 她与王正说话间,拿单先知进宫来了。 23 有人奏告王,说:“拿单先知来了。”拿单来到王面前,俯伏在地, 24 说:“我主我王啊,你已经宣布让亚多尼雅继承你的王位,坐你的宝座吗? 25 他今天宰了许多牛羊和肥犊献祭,宴请众王子、将领和亚比亚他祭司,他们正在他那里一边吃喝一边说,‘亚多尼雅王万岁!’ 26 但他没有邀请臣仆我、撒督祭司、耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅和你的仆人所罗门。 27 这是我主我王的旨意吗?王还没有对臣仆们说过谁继承王位。”

28 于是,大卫王召见拔示芭。拔示芭立刻晋见,侍立在王面前。 29 王起誓说:“我凭救我脱离一切苦难的永活的耶和华起誓, 30 我今天必实现我凭以色列的上帝耶和华向你起的誓。你的儿子所罗门必继承王位,坐在我的宝座上。”

31 拔示芭就向王俯伏下拜说:“我主我王万岁!”

32 大卫王又召见撒督祭司、拿单先知和耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅。他们都来到王面前。 33 王嘱咐道:“你们要率领我的随从,让我儿所罗门骑上我的骡子,护送他下到基训。 34 撒督祭司和拿单先知要在那里膏立他为以色列王。你们要吹响号角,高喊,‘所罗门王万岁!’ 35 然后,你们要随他回来,他要登基,继承我的王位。我已立他做以色列和犹大的君王了。”

36 耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅说:“遵命,愿我主我王的上帝耶和华成全这事。 37 耶和华怎样与我主我王同在,愿祂也照样与所罗门同在,使他的国比我主大卫王的国更强大。” 38 于是,撒督祭司、拿单先知、耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅,以及基利提人和比利提人请所罗门骑上大卫王的骡子,护送他前往基训。 39 撒督祭司从圣幕里拿来盛膏油的角,膏立所罗门为王。他们吹响号角,民众高声欢呼:“所罗门王万岁!” 40 众人浩浩荡荡地随着所罗门回京,一路上吹笛欢呼,声音震动大地。 41 亚多尼雅和他的众宾客刚刚饮宴完毕,听见了这声音。约押听见号角声,便问:“城里为什么如此喧闹?” 42 就在这时候,亚比亚他祭司的儿子约拿单来了,亚多尼雅说:“进来!你是个忠勇的人,一定带来了好消息。”

43 约拿单说:“我们的主大卫王已经立所罗门为王了。 44 王派撒督祭司、拿单先知、耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅,以及基利提人和比利提人护送所罗门骑上王的骡子。 45 撒督祭司和拿单先知在基训膏立他为王,他们一路上欢呼着回来了,全城轰动。你们听到的就是他们的声音。 46 所罗门已经登基掌权, 47 王的臣仆也来向我们的主大卫王道喜说,‘愿王的上帝使所罗门比王更声名显赫,使他的国比王的国更强大。’王在床上俯伏敬拜, 48 说,‘以色列的上帝耶和华当受称颂,因为祂让我亲眼看见我的继承人今天登基。’”

49 亚多尼雅的众宾客听后,吓得四散而去。 50 亚多尼雅惧怕所罗门,就去抓住祭坛的角。 51 有人告诉所罗门:“亚多尼雅惧怕王,现在正抓住祭坛的角,要王今天起誓不要杀他。”

52 所罗门说:“如果他是个忠义的人,必毫发无损;如果他作恶,必死无疑。” 53 于是,所罗门王便派人去把亚多尼雅从祭坛上带下来。亚多尼雅前来向所罗门王俯伏下拜,所罗门对他说:“你回家去吧。”

Adonijah Tries to Become King

At this time King David was ·very old [L old and advanced in years], and although his servants covered him with ·blankets [bedclothes], he could not keep warm. They said to him, “·We will look for [Let us find] a young woman to ·care for you [L serve/wait on my lord the king]. She will lie ·close to you [L in your bosom] and keep you warm.” After searching everywhere in Israel for a beautiful young woman, they found a girl named Abishag from Shunam and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful, and she cared for the king and served him. But the king did not have sexual relations with her.

Adonijah was the son of King David and Haggith, and he ·was very proud [began boasting; L exalted himself]. “I will be the king,” he said. So he got chariots and ·horses [or horsemen; charioteers] for himself and fifty men ·for his personal bodyguard [L to run ahead of him]. Now David had never ·interfered with [disciplined; crossed; rebuked] Adonijah by ·questioning what he did [L asking, “Why are you doing that?”]. Born next after Absalom, Adonijah was a very handsome man.

Adonijah ·spoke [conferred] with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, and they agreed to ·help [support] him. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and King David’s ·special guard [L mighty men] did not join Adonijah.

Then Adonijah killed some sheep, ·cows [oxen], and fat calves for sacrifices at the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the other sons of King David, to come, as well as all the men of Judah. 10 But Adonijah did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, ·his father’s special guard [L the mighty men], or his brother Solomon.

11 When Nathan heard about this, he went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. “Have you heard that Adonijah, Haggith’s son, has ·made himself [become] king?” Nathan asked. “Our ·real king, [lord] David, does not know it. 12 Now I will give you advice on how to save yourself and your son Solomon. 13 Go to King David and tell him, ‘My master and king, ·you promised [L didn’t you promise/vow/swear…?] that my son Solomon would be king and would rule on your throne after you. Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 14 While you are still talking to the king, I will come in and ·tell him that what you have said about Adonijah is true [confirm your words].”

15 So Bathsheba went in to see the aged king in his bedroom, where Abishag, the girl from Shunam, was caring for him. 16 Bathsheba bowed and knelt before the king. He asked, “What do you ·want [wish]?”

17 She answered, “My master, you ·made a promise [vowed; swore] to me in the name of the Lord your God. You said, ‘Your son Solomon will surely become king after me, and he will ·rule [sit] on my throne.’ 18 But now, unknown to you, Adonijah ·has become [is] king. 19 He has killed many ·cows [oxen], fat calves, and sheep for sacrifices. And he has invited all your sons, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he did not invite Solomon, who serves you. 20 My master and king, ·all the Israelites are watching you [L the eyes of Israel are on you], waiting for you to decide who will ·be [L sit on the throne of my lord the] king after you. 21 Otherwise, as soon as ·you die [L my lord the king sleeps with his fathers/ancestors], Solomon and I will be treated as ·criminals [offenders].”

22 While Bathsheba was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23 The servants told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So Nathan went to the king and ·bowed facedown [prostrated himself] on the ground before him.

24 Nathan said, “My ·master and [lord the] king, have you ·said [decreed] that Adonijah will be the king after you and that he will ·rule [sit] on your throne? 25 Today he has sacrificed many ·cows [oxen], fat calves, and sheep, and he has invited all ·your other [the king’s] sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him. They are saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But he did not invite me, your own servant, or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your ·son [L servant] Solomon. 27 Did ·you [the lord my king] do this? Since we are your servants, why didn’t you tell us who should ·be [L sit on the throne of the lord my] king after you?”

David Makes Solomon King

28 Then the king said, “Tell Bathsheba to come in!” So she came in and stood before the king.

29 Then the king ·made this promise [vowed; swore this oath], “The Lord has ·saved [rescued; delivered] me from all ·trouble [adversity; danger; distress]. As surely as he lives, 30 I will do today what I have ·promised [vowed/sworn to] you ·in the name of [by] the Lord, the God of Israel. I ·promised [vowed/swore to] that your son Solomon would be king after me and ·rule [sit] on my throne in my place.”

31 Then Bathsheba ·bowed facedown [prostrated herself] on the ground and knelt before the king and said, “·Long live [Live forever] my ·master [lord] King David!”

32 Then King David said, “Tell Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada to come in.” When they came before the king, 33 he said to them, “Take my servants with you and put my son Solomon on my own mule. Take him down to ·the spring called Gihon [Gihon]. 34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet should ·pour olive oil on [L anoint] him and make him king over Israel. Blow the ·trumpet [ram’s horn] and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then come back up here with him. He will sit on my throne and ·rule [be king] in my place, because he is the one I have ·chosen [appointed] to be the ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, “·Amen [So be it]! This is what the Lord, the God of my ·master [lord], has ·declared [decreed; ordained]! 37 The Lord has always ·helped [been with] you, our king. May he also ·help [be with] Solomon and make King Solomon’s throne an even greater throne than ·yours [L the throne of my lord King David].”

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada left with the Kerethites and Pelethites [C king’s bodyguard]. They put Solomon on King David’s mule and took him to the spring called Gihon. 39 Zadok the priest took the ·container [flask; horn] of olive oil from the ·Holy Tent [sacred tent; L tent] and ·poured the oil on Solomon’s head to show he was the king [L anointed Solomon]. Then they blew the ·trumpet [ram’s horn], and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 All the people followed Solomon into the city. Playing flutes and ·shouting for joy [L rejoicing with great joy], they made so much noise the ·ground [earth] shook.

41 At this time Adonijah and all the guests with him ·were [heard it while] finishing their meal. When he heard the sound from the ·trumpet [ram’s horn], Joab asked, “·What does all that noise from the city mean [Why is the city in such an uproar]?”

42 While Joab was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in! You are an ·important [worthy; honest; valiant] man, so you must be bringing good news.”

43 But Jonathan answered, “No! Our master King David has made Solomon the new king. 44 King David sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and all the Kerethites and Pelethites [C king’s bodyguard] with him, and they have put Solomon on the king’s own mule. 45 Then Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet ·poured olive oil on [L anointed] Solomon at Gihon to make him king. After that they went into the city, shouting with joy. Now the whole city is ·excited [celebrating; in an uproar], and that is the noise you hear. 46 Solomon has now ·become the king [L taken his seat on the royal throne]. 47 All the ·king’s officers [royal officials/servants] have come to ·tell King David that he has done a good thing [congratulate/bless our lord King David]. They are saying, ‘May your God make ·Solomon [L Solomon’s name] even more famous than ·you [L your name] and ·an even greater king than you [L his throne/reign greater than your throne/reign].’” Jonathan continued, “And King David bowed down on his ·bed to worship God [bed], 48 saying, ‘Bless the Lord, the God of Israel. Today he has ·made one of my sons the king [L granted one to sit on my throne] and allowed me to see it.’”

49 Then all of Adonijah’s guests were ·afraid [terrified; panicked], and they left quickly and scattered. 50 Adonijah was also afraid of Solomon, so he went and took hold of the ·corners [L horns; Ex. 27:2] of the altar [C in hopes that he would not be killed in a sacred place]. 51 Then someone told Solomon, “Adonijah is afraid of you, so he is at the altar, holding on to its ·corners [L horns]. He says, ‘Tell King Solomon to promise me today that he will not ·kill me [L put his servant to death with the sword].’”

52 So Solomon answered, “·Adonijah must show that he is a man of honor. If he does that, I promise [If he is loyal/honorable/worthy,] he will not lose even a single hair from his head. But if ·he does anything wrong [he makes trouble; L evil is found in him], he will die.” 53 Then King Solomon sent some men to get Adonijah. When he was brought from the altar, he came before King Solomon and ·bowed down [prostrated himself]. Solomon told him, “Go home.”