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David in His Old Age

King David was now an old man, and he always felt cold, even under a lot of blankets. His officials said, “Your Majesty, we will look for a young woman to take care of you. She can lie down beside you and keep you warm.” 3-4 They looked everywhere in Israel until they found a very beautiful young woman named Abishag, who lived in the town of Shunem.[a] They brought her to David, and she took care of him. But David did not have sex with her.

Adonijah Tries To Become King

5-6 (A) Adonijah was the son of David and Haggith. He was Absalom's younger brother[b] and was very handsome. One day, Adonijah started bragging, “I'm going to make myself king!” So he got some chariots and horses, and he hired 50 men as bodyguards. David did not want to hurt his feelings, so he never asked Adonijah why he was doing these things.

Adonijah met with Joab the son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest and asked them if they would help him become king. Both of them agreed to help. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei,[c] and David's bodyguards all refused.

Adonijah invited his brothers and David's officials from Judah to go with him to Crawling Rock[d] near Rogel Spring, where he sacrificed some sheep, cattle, and fat calves.[e] 10 But he did not invite Nathan, Benaiah, David's bodyguards, or his own brother Solomon.

11 (B) When Nathan heard what had happened, he asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother:

Have you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has made himself king? But David doesn't know a thing about it. 12 You and your son Solomon will be killed, unless you do what I tell you. 13 Go say to David, “You promised me that Solomon would be the next king. So why is Adonijah now king?”

14 While you are still talking to David, I'll come in and tell him that everything you said is true.

15 Meanwhile, David was in his bedroom where Abishag was taking care of him because he was so old. Bathsheba went in 16 and bowed down.

“What can I do for you?” David asked.

17 Bathsheba answered:

Your Majesty, you promised me in the name of the Lord your God that my son Solomon would be the next king. 18 But Adonijah has already been made king, and you didn't know anything about it. 19 He sacrificed a lot of cattle, calves, and sheep. And he invited Abiathar the priest, Joab your army commander, and all your sons to be there, except Solomon, your loyal servant.

20 Your Majesty, everyone in Israel is waiting for you to announce who will be the next king. 21 If you don't, they will say that Solomon and I have rebelled. They will treat us like criminals and kill us as soon as you die.

22 Just then, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23 Someone told David that he was there, and Nathan came in. He bowed with his face to the ground 24 and said:

Your Majesty, did you say that Adonijah would be king? 25 Earlier today, he sacrificed a lot of cattle, calves, and sheep. He invited the army commanders, Abiathar, and all your sons to be there. They are already eating and drinking and shouting, “Long live King Adonijah!” 26 But he didn't invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or Solomon. 27 Did you say they could do this without telling the rest of us who would be the next king?

Solomon Becomes King

28 David said, “Tell Bathsheba to come here.” She came and stood in front of him. 29-30 Then he said, “The living Lord God of Israel has kept me safe. And so today, I will keep the promise I made to you in his name: Solomon will be the next king!”

31 Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Your Majesty, I pray that you will live a long time!”

32 Then David said, “Tell Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah to come here.”

When they arrived, 33 he told them:

Take along some of my officials and let Solomon ride my own mule to Gihon Spring. 34 When you get there, Zadok and Nathan will pour olive oil over Solomon's head to show that he is the new king of Israel. Then order someone to blow a trumpet and tell everyone to shout, “Long live King Solomon!” 35 Bring him back here, and he will take my place as king. He is the one I have chosen to rule Israel and Judah.

36 Benaiah answered, “We will do it, Your Majesty. I pray that the Lord your God will let it happen. 37 The Lord has always watched over you, and I pray that he will now watch over Solomon. May the Lord help Solomon to be an even greater king than you.”

38 Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah left and took along the two groups of David's special bodyguards.[f] Solomon rode on David's mule as they led him to Gihon Spring. 39 Zadok the priest brought some olive oil from the sacred tent and poured it on Solomon's head to show that he was now king. A trumpet was blown and everyone shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 Then they played flutes and celebrated as they followed Solomon back to Jerusalem. They made so much noise that the ground shook.

41 Adonijah and his guests had almost finished eating when they heard the noise. Joab also heard the trumpet and asked, “What's all that noise about in the city?”

42 Just then, Jonathan son of Abiathar came running up. “Come in,” Adonijah said. “An important man like you must have some good news.”

43 Jonathan answered:

No, I don't! David has just announced that Solomon will be king. 44-45 Solomon rode David's own mule to Gihon Spring, and Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and David's special bodyguards[g] went with him. When they got there, Zadok and Nathan made Solomon king. Then everyone celebrated all the way back to Jerusalem. That's the noise you hear in the city. 46 Solomon is now king.

47 And listen to this! David's officials told him, “We pray that your God will help Solomon to be an even greater king!”

David was in his bed at the time, but he bowed 48 and prayed, “I praise you, Lord God of Israel. You have made my son Solomon king and have let me live to see it.”

49 Adonijah's guests shook with fear when they heard this news, and they left as fast as they could. 50 Adonijah himself was afraid of what Solomon might do to him, so he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection.[h]

51 Someone told Solomon, “Adonijah is afraid of you and is holding onto the corners of the altar. He wants you to promise that you won't kill him.”

52 Solomon answered, “If Adonijah doesn't cause any trouble, I won't hurt him. But if he does, I'll have him killed.” 53 Then he sent someone to the altar to get Adonijah.

After Adonijah came and bowed down, Solomon said, “Adonijah, go home.”

Footnotes

  1. 1.3,4 Shunem: A town in northern Israel, just north of Jezreel Valley.
  2. 1.5,6 brother: Since Absalom was dead, Adonijah was now David's oldest living son and would be next in line to be king.
  3. 1.8 Shimei, Rei: Or “Shimei his advisor.”
  4. 1.9 Crawling Rock: Or “Zoheleth Rock.”
  5. 1.9 sacrificed … calves: This was part of a ceremony where Adonijah was made the new king.
  6. 1.38 the two … bodyguards: The Hebrew text has “the Cherethites and the Pelethites,” who were foreign soldiers hired by David to be part of his bodyguard.
  7. 1.44,45 David's special bodyguards: See the note at 1.38.
  8. 1.50 the corners … for protection: The four corners of some ancient altars looked like animal horns. Since the entire altar was sacred, anyone holding on to its corners was supposed to be safe from being killed.

Adoniya Adziyika Kukhala Mfumu

Mfumu Davide atakalamba sankamva kufunda ngakhale akamufunditsa mabulangeti. Choncho nduna zake zinamuwuza kuti, “Tiloleni tifune namwali woti azikhala nanu ndi kumakusamalirani. Namwaliyo azigona pafupi nanu kuti mbuye wathu mfumu muzimva kufundira.”

Kotero anafunafuna mʼdziko lonse la Israeli mtsikana wokongola ndipo anapeza Abisagi wa ku Sunemu, nabwera naye kwa mfumu. Mtsikanayo anali wokongola kwambiri ndipo ankasamalira mfumu ndi kumayitumikira, koma mfumuyo sinakhale naye malo amodzi.

Nthawi imeneyi Adoniya, mwana wa Hagiti, anayamba kudzitukumula ndipo anati, “Ndidzakhala mfumu ndine.” Choncho anadzikonzera galeta ndi akavalo, pamodzi ndi anthu 50 woti azithamanga patsogolo pake. (Abambo ake sanalowererepo nʼkamodzi komwe ndipo sanafunsepo kuti, “Nʼchifukwa chiyani ukuchita zimenezi?” Adoniyayo anali wokongola kwambiri ndipo anali wopondana ndi Abisalomu).

Adoniya anagwirizana ndi Yowabu mwana wa Zeruya ndiponso Abiatara wansembe, ndipo iwowa anamuthandiza. Koma Zadoki wansembe, Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada, mneneri Natani, Simei ndi Rei ndiponso asilikali amphamvu a Davide sanamutsate Adoniya uja.

Kenaka Adoniya anapereka nsembe za nkhosa ndi ngʼombe ndiponso ana angʼombe onenepa ku Mwala wa Zohereti kufupi ndi Eni Rogeli. Iye anayitana abale ake onse, ana aamuna a mfumu ndiponso akuluakulu onse a ku Yuda, 10 koma sanayitane mneneri Natani kapena Benaya kapenanso asilikali amphamvu a Davide ngakhalenso mʼbale wake Solomoni.

11 Pamenepo Natani anafunsa Batiseba, amayi ake a Solomoni, kuti, “Kodi simunamve kuti Adoniya, mwana wa Hagiti, walowa ufumu popanda Davide mbuye wathu kudziwa? 12 Tsopano ine ndikulangizeni inu mmene mungapulumutsire moyo wanu ndi moyo wa mwana wanu Solomoni. 13 Pitani msanga kwa Mfumu Davide ndipo mukanene kuti, ‘Mbuye wanga mfumu, kodi simunalumbire kwa ine mdzakazi wanu kuti, ‘Ndithu mwana wako Solomoni ndiye adzakhale mfumu mʼmalo mwanga, ndipo adzakhala pa mpando wanga waufumu?’ Nanga nʼchifukwa chiyani Adoniya walowa ufumu?’ 14 Pamene inu muzikayankhula ndi mfumu, ine ndidzalowa ndi kuchitira umboni mawu anuwo.”

15 Choncho Batiseba anapita nakalowa ku chipinda kukaonana ndi mfumu imene inali itakalamba kwambiri, kumene Abisagi wa ku Sunemu uja ankayisamalira. 16 Batiseba anagwada nalambira mfumu.

Mfumu inamufunsa kuti, “Kodi nʼchiyani chimene ukufuna?”

17 Iye anayankha kuti, “Mbuye wanga, inu mwini munalumbira kwa ine mdzakazi wanu mʼdzina la Yehova Mulungu wanu kuti, ‘Solomoni mwana wako ndiye adzakhale mfumu mʼmalo mwa ine, ndipo adzakhala pa mpando wanga waufumu.’ 18 Koma tsopano Adoniya ndiye walowa ufumu, ndipo inu mbuye wanga mfumu, simukuzidziwa zimenezi. 19 Ndipo wapereka nsembe ngʼombe zambiri, ana angʼombe onenepa ndi nkhosa ndi mbuzi ndipo wayitana ana anu onse, wansembe Abiatara ndiponso Yowabu mkulu wa ankhondo, koma sanayitane kapolo wanu Solomoni. 20 Mbuye wanga mfumu, maso a Aisraeli onse ali pa inu, kuti adziwe kuchokera kwa inu amene adzakhala pa mpando waufumu wa mbuye wanga mʼmalo mwanu. 21 Mukapanda kutero, mbuye wanga, mukadzangotisiya nʼkulondola kumene kunapita makolo anu, ine pamodzi ndi mwana wangayu Solomoni adzatiyesa owukira.”

22 Pamene Batiseba amayankhula ndi mfumu, mneneri Natani analowa. 23 Ndipo anthu anawuza mfumu kuti, “Kwabwera mneneri Natani.” Kotero iye anafika pamaso pa mfumu ndipo anawerama nagunditsa nkhope yake pansi.

24 Natani anafunsa kuti, “Mbuye wanga mfumu, kodi mwalengeza kuti Adoniya adzakhala mfumu mʼmalo mwanu, ndi kuti adzakhala pa mpando wanu waufumu? 25 Lero lomwe lino wakapereka nsembe ngʼombe zambiri, ana angʼombe onenepa ndiponso nkhosa ndi mbuzi. Iye wayitana ana anu onse, atsogoleri a nkhondo, ndiponso wansembe Abiatara. Panopa onsewa akudya ndi kumwa naye ndipo akunena kuti, ‘Akhale ndi moyo wautali mfumu Adoniya!’ 26 Koma ine kapolo wanu, wansembe Zadoki ndi Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada, ndiponso kapolo wanu Solomoni sanatiyitane. 27 Kodi zimenezi mbuye wanga mfumu mwazichita ndinu, osawawuza atumiki anu kuti adziwe amene adzakhale pa mpando waufumu mʼmalo mwanu?”

Davide Alonga Ufumu Solomoni

28 Pamenepo mfumu Davide anati, “Muyitaneni Batiseba.” Kotero Batiseba analowa ndipo anayimirira pamaso pa mfumu.

29 Tsono mfumu inalumbira kuti, “Pali Yehova wamoyo, amene anandipulumutsa ine ku mavuto onse, 30 ndithu ine lero ndichita zonse zimene ndinalumbira kwa Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli kuti, mwana wako Solomoni adzakhala mfumu mʼmalo mwanga ndipo adzakhala pa mpando wanga waufumu.”

31 Pamenepo Batiseba anawerama, nagunditsa mutu wake pansi nalambira mfumu, ndipo anati, “Mbuye wanga Mfumu Davide mukhale ndi moyo wautali!”

32 Mfumu Davide anati, “Ndiyitanireni wansembe Zadoki, mneneri Natani ndi Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada.” Atafika pamaso pa mfumu, 33 mfumuyo inati kwa iwo, “Tengani atumiki anga ndipo mukweze mwana wanga Solomoni pa bulu wanga ndipo mupite naye ku Gihoni. Mukalize lipenga ndi kufuwula kuti, ‘Akhale ndi moyo wautali mfumu Solomoni!’ 34 Kumeneko Zadoki wansembe ndi mneneri Natani akamudzoze kuti akhale mfumu ya Israeli. Kenaka mukalize lipenga ndi kumanena kuti ‘Akhale ndi moyo wautali Mfumu Solomoni.’ 35 Ndipo pobwera muzikamutsata pambuyo. Iyeyo akabwere kuno ndi kudzakhala pa mpando wanga waufumu ndi kudzalamulira mʼmalo mwanga. Ndamusankha kukhala wolamulira Israeli ndi Yuda.”

36 Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada anayankha mfumu kuti, “Ameni! Yehova Mulungu wa mbuye wanga mfumu akhazikitse kuti zichitike motero. 37 Monga momwe Yehova wakhalira ndi inu mbuye wanga mfumu, momwemonso akhale ndi Solomoni ndi kukhazikitsa ufumu wake kuti ukhale waukulu kuposa ufumu wa mbuye wanga Mfumu Davide!”

38 Kotero Zadoki wansembe, mneneri Natani, Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada, Akereti ndiponso Apeleti, anthu oteteza mfumu, anapita kukamukweza Solomoni pa bulu wa Mfumu Davide ndi kupita naye ku Gihoni. 39 Wansembe Zadoki anatenga nyanga ya mafuta yochokera ku malo opatulika ndi kumudzoza Solomoni. Kenaka analiza lipenga ndipo anthu onse anafuwula kuti, “Akhale ndi moyo wautali Mfumu Solomoni!” 40 Ndipo anthu onsewo anapita namutsatira pambuyo akuyimba zitoliro ndi kukondwerera kwambiri, kotero nthaka inagwedezeka chifukwa cha phokoso lawo.

41 Adoniya pamodzi ndi anthu onse oyitanidwa amene anali naye anamva zimenezi pamene ankamaliza madyerero awo. Atamva kulira kwa malipenga, Yowabu anafunsa kuti, “Kodi phokoso lonselo mu mzindamo likutanthauza chiyani?”

42 Iye akuyankhula, Yonatani mwana wa wansembe Abiatara anafika. Adoniya anati, “Lowa. Munthu wabwino ngati iwe ayenera kubweretsa nkhani yabwino.”

43 Yonatani anayankha Adoniya kuti, “Ayi ndithu, zinthu sizili bwino! Mbuye wathu Mfumu Davide walonga Solomoni ufumu. 44 Mfumu yatuma Zadoki wansembe, mneneri Natani, Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada, Akereti ndi Apeleti ku Gihoni ndipo iwo amukweza pa bulu wa mfumu, 45 ndipo Zadoki wansembe ndi mneneri Natani adzoza Solomoni ku Gihoni kuti akhale mfumu. Ndipo kuchokera kumeneko akhala akululutira, kotero kuti mu mzinda monse muli phokoso lokhalokha. Ndiyetu phokoso limene mukulimvalo. 46 Ndipo Solomoni wakhala kale pa mpando wake waufumu. 47 Kuwonjezera pamenepo, nduna za mfumu zabwera kale kudzayamika mbuye wathu Mfumu Davide, pomanena kuti, ‘Mulungu wanu atchukitse dzina la Solomoni kuposa dzina lanu ndipo ufumu wake ukule kupambana ufumu wanu!’ Ndipo mfumu inawerama niyamba kupembedza pa bedi lake, 48 inati, ‘Atamandike Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli, amene wasankha wolowa mʼmalo mwanga ine ndikanali ndi moyo lero lino.’ ”

49 Anthu onse amene Adoniya anawayitana ananjenjemera ndi mantha, ndipo anayimirira, kenaka anamwazikana. 50 Koma Adoniya, poopa Solomoni, anapita ku Nyumba ya Mulungu nakagwira msonga za guwa lansembe. 51 Tsono Solomoni anawuzidwa kuti, “Adoniya akukuopani inu Mfumu Solomoni ndipo wagwira msonga za guwa lansembe. Iye akuti, ‘Mfumu Solomoni alumbire kuti sadzapha kapolo wake ndi lupanga.’ ”

52 Solomoni anayankha kuti, “Ngati iyeyo aonetse kuti ndi munthu wakhalidwe labwino, ngakhale tsitsi la mʼmutu mwake silidzathothoka ndi kugwera pansi, koma akapezeka kuti ali ndi khalidwe loyipa, adzafa ndithu.” 53 Pamenepo Mfumu Solomoni inatuma anthu ndipo anakamutenga paguwa paja. Adoniya anabwera ndi kudzalambira Mfumu Solomoni, ndipo Solomoni anati, “Pita ku nyumba yako.”