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1 Re 1
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana

I. LA SUCCESSIONE DI DAVIDE

Vecchiaia di Davide e intrighi di Adonia

1 Il re Davide era vecchio e avanzato negli anni e, sebbene lo coprissero, non riusciva a riscaldarsi. 2 I suoi ministri gli suggerirono: «Si cerchi per il re nostro signore una vergine giovinetta, che assista il re e lo curi e dorma con lui; così il re nostro signore si riscalderà». 3 Si cercò in tutto il territorio d'Israele una giovane bella e si trovò Abisag da Sunem e la condussero al re. 4 La giovane era molto bella; essa curava il re e lo serviva, ma il re non si unì a lei.

5 Ma Adonia, figlio di Agghìt, insuperbito, diceva: «Sarò io il re». Si procurò carri, cavalli e cinquanta uomini che lo precedessero. 6 Il re suo padre, per non affliggerlo, non gli disse mai: «Perché ti comporti in questo modo?». Adonia era molto bello; sua madre l'aveva partorito dopo Assalonne. 7 Si accordò con Ioab, figlio di Zeruià, e con il sacerdote Ebiatàr, che stavano dalla sua parte. 8 Invece il sacerdote Zadòk, Benaià figlio di Ioiadà, il profeta Natan, Simei, Rei e il nerbo delle milizie di Davide non si schierarono con Adonia. 9 Adonia un giorno immolò pecore e buoi e vitelli grassi sulla pietra Zochelet, che è vicina alla fonte di Roghèl. Invitò tutti i suoi fratelli, figli del re, e tutti gli uomini di Giuda al servizio del re. 10 Ma non invitò il profeta Natan, né Benaià, né i più valorosi soldati e neppure Salomone suo fratello.

L'intrigo di Natan e di Betsabea

11 Allora Natan disse a Betsabea, madre di Salomone: «Non hai sentito che Adonia, figlio di Agghìt, si è fatto re e Davide nostro signore non lo sa neppure? 12 Ebbene, ti do un consiglio, perché tu salvi la tua vita e quella del tuo figlio Salomone. 13 Và, presentati al re Davide e digli: Re mio signore, non hai forse giurato alla tua schiava che Salomone tuo figlio avrebbe regnato dopo di te, sedendo sul tuo trono? Perché si è fatto re Adonia? 14 Ecco, mentre tu starai ancora lì a parlare al re, io ti seguirò e confermerò le tue parole».

15 Betsabea si presentò nella camera del re, che era molto vecchio, e Abisag la Sunammita lo serviva. 16 Betsabea si inginocchiò e si prostrò davanti al re, che le domandò: «Che hai?». 17 Essa gli rispose: «Signore, tu hai giurato alla tua schiava per il Signore tuo Dio che Salomone tuo figlio avrebbe regnato dopo di te, sedendo sul tuo trono. 18 Ora invece Adonia è divenuto re e tu, re mio signore, non lo sai neppure. 19 Ha immolato molti buoi, vitelli grassi e pecore, ha invitato tutti i figli del re, il sacerdote Ebiatàr e Ioab capo dell'esercito, ma non ha invitato Salomone tuo servitore. 20 Re mio signore, gli occhi di tutto Israele sono su di te, perché annunzi loro chi siederà sul trono del re mio signore dopo di lui. 21 Quando il re mio signore si sarà addormentato con i suoi padri, io e mio figlio Salomone saremo trattati da colpevoli».

22 Mentre Betsabea ancora parlava con il re, arrivò il profeta Natan. 23 Fu annunziato al re: «Ecco c'è il profeta Natan». Questi si presentò al re, davanti al quale si prostrò con la faccia a terra. 24 Natan disse: «Re mio signore, tu forse hai decretato: Adonia regnerà dopo di me e siederà sul mio trono? 25 Difatti oggi egli è andato ad immolare molti buoi, vitelli grassi e pecore e ha invitato tutti i figli del re, i capi dell'esercito e il sacerdote Ebiatàr. Costoro mangiano e bevono con lui e gridano: Viva il re Adonia! 26 Ma non ha invitato me tuo servitore, né il sacerdote Zadòk, né Benaià figlio di Ioiadà, né Salomone tuo servitore. 27 Proprio il re mio signore ha ordinato ciò? Perché non hai indicato ai tuoi ministri chi siederà sul trono del re mio signore?».

Salomone, designato da Davide, è consacrato re

28 Il re Davide, presa la parola, disse: «Chiamatemi Betsabea!». Costei si presentò al re e, restando essa alla sua presenza, 29 il re giurò: «Per la vita del Signore che mi ha liberato da ogni angoscia! 30 Come ti ho giurato per il Signore, Dio di Israele, che Salomone tuo figlio avrebbe regnato dopo di me, sedendo sul mio trono al mio posto, così farò oggi». 31 Betsabea si inginocchiò con la faccia a terra, si prostrò davanti al re dicendo: «Viva il mio signore, il re Davide, per sempre!». 32 Il re Davide fece chiamare il sacerdote Zadòk, il profeta Natan e Benaià figlio di Ioiadà. Costoro si presentarono al re, 33 che disse loro: «Prendete con voi la guardia del vostro signore: fate montare Salomone sulla mia mula e fatelo scendere a Ghicon. 34 Ivi il sacerdote Zadòk e il profeta Natan lo ungano re d'Israele. Voi suonerete la tromba e griderete: Viva il re Salomone! 35 Quindi risalirete dietro a lui, che verrà a sedere sul mio trono e regnerà al mio posto. Poiché io ho designato lui a divenire capo d'Israele e di Giuda». 36 Benaià figlio di Ioiadà rispose al re: «Così sia! Anche il Signore, Dio del re mio signore, decida allo stesso modo! 37 Come il Signore ha assistito il re mio signore, così assista Salomone e renda il suo trono più splendido di quello del re Davide mio signore».

38 Scesero il sacerdote Zadòk, il profeta Natan e Benaià figlio di Ioiadà, insieme con i Cretei e con i Peletei; fecero montare Salomone sulla mula del re Davide e lo condussero a Ghicon. 39 Il sacerdote Zadòk prese il corno dell'olio dalla tenda e unse Salomone al suono della tromba. Tutti i presenti gridarono: «Viva il re Salomone!». 40 Risalirono tutti dietro a lui, suonando i flauti e mostrando una grandissima gioia e i luoghi rimbombavano delle loro acclamazioni.

La paura di Adonia

41 Li sentirono Adonia e i suoi invitati, che avevano appena finito di mangiare. Ioab, udito il suono della tromba, chiese: «Che cos'è questo frastuono nella città in tumulto?». 42 Mentre parlava ecco giungere Giònata figlio del sacerdote Ebiatàr, al quale Adonia disse: «Vieni! Tu sei un valoroso e rechi certo buone notizie!». 43 «No - rispose Giònata ad Adonia - il re Davide nostro signore ha nominato re Salomone 44 e ha mandato con lui il sacerdote Zadòk, il profeta Natan e Benaià figlio di Ioiadà, insieme con i Cretei e con i Peletei che l'hanno fatto montare sulla mula del re. 45 Il sacerdote Zadòk e il profeta Natan l'hanno unto re in Ghicon; quindi sono risaliti esultanti, mentre la città echeggiava di grida. Questo il motivo del frastuono da voi udito. 46 Anzi Salomone si è gia seduto sul trono del regno 47 e i ministri del re sono andati a felicitarsi con il re Davide dicendo: Il tuo Dio renda il nome di Salomone più celebre del tuo e renda il suo trono più splendido del tuo! Il re si è prostrato sul letto, 48 poi ha detto: Sia benedetto il Signore, Dio di Israele, perché oggi ha concesso che uno sedesse sul mio trono e i miei occhi lo vedessero».

49 Tutti gli invitati di Adonia allora spaventati si alzarono e se ne andarono ognuno per la sua strada. 50 Adonia, che temeva Salomone, alzatosi andò ad aggrapparsi ai corni dell'altare. 51 Fu riferito a Salomone: «Sappi che Adonia, avendo paura del re Salomone, ha afferrato i corni dell'altare dicendo: Mi giuri oggi il re Salomone che non farà morire di spada il suo servitore». 52 Salomone disse: «Se si comporterà da uomo leale, neppure un suo capello cadrà a terra; ma se cadrà in qualche fallo, morirà». 53 Il re Salomone ordinò che lo facessero scendere dall'altare; quegli andò a prostrarsi davanti al re Salomone, che gli disse: «Vattene a casa!».

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1 Re 1
Nuova Riveduta 2006

Regno di Salomone(A)(B)

Vecchiaia di Davide

1 (C)Il re Davide era vecchio, avanti negli anni e, per quanto lo coprissero con indumenti, non poteva riscaldarsi. 2 Perciò i suoi servitori gli dissero: «Si cerchi per il nostro signore una ragazza vergine, che stia al servizio del re, ne abbia cura e dorma fra le sue braccia, e così il re nostro signore si riscalderà». 3 Cercarono dunque per tutto il paese d’Israele una bella ragazza; trovarono Abisag, la Sunamita, e la condussero dal re. 4 La ragazza era bellissima, si prendeva cura del re e lo serviva; ma il re non ebbe rapporti con lei.

Adonia aspira al regno

5 (D)Adonia, figlio di Agghit, mosso dall’ambizione, diceva: «Sarò io il re!» E si procurò carri, cavalieri e cinquanta uomini che correvano davanti a lui. 6 Suo padre non gli aveva mai fatto un rimprovero in vita sua, dicendogli: «Perché fai così?» Adonia era inoltre di bellissimo aspetto, ed era nato subito dopo Absalom. 7 Egli prese accordi con Ioab, figlio di Seruia, e con il sacerdote Abiatar; essi si misero dalla sua parte e lo favorirono. 8 Ma il sacerdote Sadoc, Benaia, figlio di Ieoiada, il profeta Natan, Simei, Rei e gli uomini valorosi di Davide non erano dalla parte di Adonia. 9 Adonia sacrificò pecore, buoi e vitelli grassi vicino al masso di Zoelet, che è accanto alla fontana di Roghel, e invitò tutti i suoi fratelli, figli del re, e tutti gli uomini di Giuda che erano al servizio del re; 10 ma non invitò il profeta Natan, né Benaia, né gli uomini valorosi, né Salomone suo fratello.

Salomone re d’Israele

11 (E)Allora Natan parlò a Bat-Sceba, madre di Salomone, e le disse: «Non hai udito che Adonia, figlio di Agghit, è diventato re senza che Davide nostro signore ne sappia nulla? 12 Vieni dunque, e permetti che io ti dia un consiglio, affinché tu salvi la tua vita e quella di tuo figlio Salomone. 13 Va’, entra dal re Davide e digli: “O re, mio signore, non giurasti alla tua serva, dicendo: ‘Salomone, tuo figlio, regnerà dopo di me, sedendo sul mio trono’? Perché dunque regna Adonia?” 14 Ecco, mentre tu starai ancora parlando al re, io entrerò dopo di te e confermerò le tue parole».

15 Bat-Sceba entrò dunque nella camera del re. Il re era molto vecchio e Abisag, la Sunamita, lo serviva. 16 Bat-Sceba s’inchinò e si prostrò davanti al re. Il re disse: «Che vuoi?» 17 Lei gli rispose: «Mio signore, alla tua serva tu giurasti per il Signore, il tuo Dio, dicendo: “Salomone, tuo figlio, regnerà dopo di me, sedendo sul mio trono”. 18 Ora, invece, ecco che Adonia è diventato re senza che tu o re, mio signore, ne sappia nulla. 19 Ha sacrificato buoi, vitelli grassi e pecore in gran numero, e ha invitato tutti i figli del re, il sacerdote Abiatar e Ioab, il capo dell’esercito, ma non ha invitato il tuo servo Salomone. 20 Ora gli occhi di tutto Israele sono rivolti verso di te, o re, mio signore, perché tu gli dichiari chi debba sedere sul trono del re mio signore dopo di lui. 21 Altrimenti, quando il re mio signore si sarà addormentato con i suoi padri, io e mio figlio Salomone saremo trattati come colpevoli».

22 Lei parlava ancora con il re, quando arrivò il profeta Natan. 23 Andarono a dire al re: «Ecco il profeta Natan». Questi venne in presenza del re e gli si prostrò davanti con la faccia a terra. 24 Natan disse: «O re, mio signore, sei tu che hai detto: “Adonia regnerà dopo di me, sedendo sul mio trono”? 25 Infatti oggi egli è sceso, ha sacrificato buoi, vitelli grassi e pecore in gran numero, e ha invitato tutti i figli del re, i capi dell’esercito e il sacerdote Abiatar; ed ecco che mangiano e bevono davanti a lui, e dicono: “Viva il re Adonia!” 26 Ma egli non ha invitato me, tuo servo, né il sacerdote Sadoc, né Benaia, figlio di Ieoiada, né Salomone, tuo servitore. 27 Tutto questo è proprio stato fatto dal re mio signore, senza dichiarare al tuo servo chi sia colui che deve sedere sul trono del re mio signore dopo di lui?»

28 Il re Davide rispose: «Chiamatemi Bat-Sceba». Lei entrò alla presenza del re e rimase in piedi davanti a lui. 29 Il re fece questo giuramento: «Com’è vero che vive il Signore, il quale mi ha liberato da ogni angoscia, 30 io farò oggi quel che ti giurai per il Signore, per il Dio d’Israele, quando dissi: “Salomone tuo figlio regnerà dopo di me sedendo sul mio trono al mio posto”». 31 Bat-Sceba s’inchinò con la faccia a terra, si prostrò davanti al re e disse: «Possa il re Davide, mio signore, vivere per sempre!»

32 (F)Poi il re Davide disse: «Chiamatemi il sacerdote Sadoc, il profeta Natan e Benaia, figlio di Ieoiada». Essi vennero alla sua presenza e il re disse loro: 33 «Prendete con voi i servitori del vostro signore, fate salire Salomone mio figlio sulla mia mula e conducetelo a Ghion. 34 In quel luogo il sacerdote Sadoc e il profeta Natan lo ungeranno re d’Israele. Poi suonate la tromba e gridate: “Viva il re Salomone!” 35 Voi risalirete al suo seguito, ed egli verrà, si metterà seduto sul mio trono e regnerà al mio posto. Io nomino lui come principe d’Israele e di Giuda». 36 Benaia, figlio di Ieoiada, rispose al re: «Amen! Così voglia il Signore, il Dio del re mio signore! 37 Come il Signore è stato con il re mio signore, così sia con Salomone e renda il suo trono più grande del trono del re Davide mio signore!»

38 Allora il sacerdote Sadoc, il profeta Natan, Benaia, figlio di Ieoiada, i Cheretei e i Peletei scesero, fecero salire Salomone sulla mula del re Davide e lo condussero a Ghion. 39 Il sacerdote Sadoc prese il corno dell’olio dal tabernacolo e unse Salomone. Suonarono la tromba, e tutto il popolo gridò: «Viva il re Salomone!» 40 Tutto il popolo risalì al suo seguito suonando flauti e abbandonandosi a una gran gioia, e la terra rimbombava delle loro grida.

41 (G)Adonia e tutti i suoi convitati, mentre finivano di mangiare, udirono questo rumore; quando Ioab udì il suono della tromba, disse: «Che vuol dire questo chiasso nella città?» 42 Mentre egli parlava ancora, ecco giungere Gionatan, figlio del sacerdote Abiatar. Adonia gli disse: «Entra, poiché tu sei un valoroso e devi portare buone notizie». 43 Gionatan rispose ad Adonia: «Tutt’altro! Il re Davide, nostro signore, ha costituito re Salomone. 44 Egli ha mandato con lui il sacerdote Sadoc, il profeta Natan, Benaia, figlio di Ieoiada, i Cheretei e i Peletei, i quali l’hanno fatto montare sulla mula del re. 45 Il sacerdote Sadoc e il profeta Natan l’hanno unto re a Ghion e di là sono risaliti abbandonandosi alla gioia, e la città è tutta in subbuglio. Questo è il frastuono che avete udito. 46 E c’è di più: Salomone si è seduto sul trono reale. 47 E i servitori del re sono venuti a benedire il re Davide, nostro signore, dicendo: “Renda Dio il nome di Salomone più glorioso del tuo, e renda il suo trono più grande del tuo!” E il re si è prostrato sul suo letto, 48 poi ha detto: “Benedetto sia il Signore, Dio d’Israele, che mi ha dato oggi uno che sieda sul mio trono, e mi ha permesso di vederlo con i miei occhi!”».

49 Allora tutti gli invitati di Adonia furono presi da spavento, si alzarono e se ne andarono ciascuno per la sua strada. 50 Adonia, che aveva paura di Salomone, si alzò e andò ad aggrapparsi ai corni dell’altare. 51 Vennero a dire a Salomone: «Adonia ha paura del re Salomone e si è aggrappato ai corni dell’altare, dicendo: “Il re Salomone mi giuri oggi che non farà morire di spada il suo servo”». 52 Salomone rispose: «Se dimostra di essere una persona perbene, non cadrà in terra neppure uno dei suoi capelli, ma se sarà trovato colpevole, morirà». 53 Allora il re Salomone mandò gente a farlo scendere dall’altare. Ed egli venne a prostrarsi davanti al re Salomone, e Salomone gli disse: «Vattene a casa tua».

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1 Kings 1
New English Translation

Adonijah Tries to Seize the Throne

1 King David was very old;[a] even when they covered him with blankets,[b] he could not get warm. 2 His servants advised[c] him, “A young virgin must be found for our master, the king,[d] to take care of the king’s needs[e] and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with you[f] and keep our master, the king, warm.”[g] 3 So they looked through all Israel[h] for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very beautiful; she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king was not intimate with her.[i]

5 Now Adonijah, son of David and Haggith,[j] was promoting himself,[k] boasting,[l] “I will be king!” He managed to acquire[m] chariots and horsemen, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.[n] 6 (Now his father had never corrected[o] him[p] by saying, “Why do you do such things?” He was also very handsome and had been born right after Absalom.[q]) 7 He collaborated[r] with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported[s] him.[t] 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s elite warriors[u] did not ally themselves[v] with Adonijah. 9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened steers at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons,[w] as well as all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the elite warriors,[x] or his brother Solomon.

11 Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Has it been reported to you[y] that Haggith’s son Adonijah has become king behind our master David’s back?[z] 12 Now[aa] let me give you some advice as to how[ab] you can save your life and your son Solomon’s life. 13 Visit[ac] King David and say to him, ‘My master, O king, did you not solemnly promise[ad] your servant, “Surely your son Solomon will be king after me; he will sit on my throne”? So why has Adonijah become king?’ 14 While[ae] you are still there speaking to the king, I will arrive[af] and verify your report.”[ag]

15 So Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters.[ah] (The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) 16 Bathsheba bowed down on the floor before[ai] the king. The king said, “What do you want?” 17 She replied to him, “My master, you swore an oath to your servant by the Lord your God, ‘Solomon your son will be king after me and he will sit on my throne.’ 18 But now, look, Adonijah has become king! But you,[aj] my master the king, are not even aware of it![ak] 19 He has sacrificed many cattle, steers, and sheep and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the commander of the army, but he has not invited your servant Solomon. 20 Now,[al] my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne.[am] 21 If a decision is not made,[an] when my master the king is buried with his ancestors,[ao] my son Solomon and I[ap] will be considered state criminals.”[aq]

22 Just then,[ar] while she was still speaking to the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23 The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” Nathan entered and bowed before the king with his face to the floor.[as] 24 Nathan said, “My master, O king, did you announce, ‘Adonijah will be king after me; he will sit on my throne’? 25 For today he has gone down and sacrificed many cattle, steers, and sheep and has invited all the king’s sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. At this moment[at] they are having a feast[au] in his presence, and they have declared, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’[av] 26 But he did not invite me—your servant—or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon. 27 Has my master the king authorized this without informing your servants[aw] who should succeed my master the king on his throne?”[ax]

David Picks Solomon as His Successor

28 King David responded,[ay] “Summon Bathsheba!”[az] She came and stood before the king.[ba] 29 The king swore an oath: “As certainly as the Lord lives (he who has rescued me[bb] from every danger), 30 I will keep[bc] today the oath I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel: ‘Surely Solomon your son will be king after me; he will sit in my place on my throne.’” 31 Bathsheba bowed down to the king with her face to the floor[bd] and said, “May my master, King David, live forever!”

32 King David said, “Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet,[be] and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king, 33 and he[bf] told them, “Take your master’s[bg] servants with you, put my son Solomon on my mule, and lead him down to Gihon.[bh] 34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint[bi] him king over Israel; then blow the trumpet and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 35 Then follow him up as he comes and sits on my throne. He will be king in my place; I have decreed[bj] that he will be ruler over Israel and Judah.” 36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada responded[bk] to the king: “So be it![bl] May the Lord God of my master the king confirm it![bm] 37 As the Lord is with my master the king, so may he be with Solomon, and may he make him an even greater king than my master King David!”[bn]

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites[bo] went down, put Solomon on King David’s mule, and led him to Gihon. 39 Zadok the priest took a horn filled with olive oil[bp] from the tent and poured it on[bq] Solomon; the trumpet was blown and all the people declared, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 All the people followed him up, playing flutes and celebrating so loudly they made the ground shake.[br]

41 Now Adonijah and all his guests heard the commotion just as they had finished eating.[bs] When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he asked, “Why is there such a noisy commotion in the city?”[bt] 42 As he was still speaking, Jonathan[bu] son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, for[bv] an important man like you must be bringing good news.”[bw] 43 Jonathan replied[bx] to Adonijah: “No![by] Our master[bz] King David has made Solomon king. 44 The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites and they put him on the king’s mule. 45 Then Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed[ca] him king in Gihon. They went up from there rejoicing, and the city is in an uproar. That is the sound you hear. 46 Furthermore, Solomon has assumed the royal throne.[cb] 47 The king’s servants have even come to congratulate[cc] our master[cd] King David, saying, ‘May your God[ce] make Solomon more famous than you and make him an even greater king than you!’[cf] Then the king leaned[cg] on the bed 48 and said[ch] this: ‘The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because[ci] today he has placed a successor on my throne and allowed me to see it.’”[cj]

49 All of Adonijah’s guests panicked;[ck] they jumped up and rushed off their separate ways. 50 Adonijah feared Solomon, so he got up and went and grabbed hold of the horns of the altar.[cl] 51 Solomon was told, “Look, Adonijah fears you;[cm] see, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘May King Solomon solemnly promise[cn] me today that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’” 52 Solomon said, “If he is a loyal subject,[co] not a hair of his head will be harmed, but if he is found to be a traitor,[cp] he will die.” 53 King Solomon sent men to bring him down[cq] from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon told him, “Go home.”[cr]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 1:1 tn Heb “was old, coming into the days” (i.e., advancing in years).
  2. 1 Kings 1:1 tn Or “garments.”
  3. 1 Kings 1:2 tn Heb “said to.”
  4. 1 Kings 1:2 tn Heb “let them seek for my master, the king, a young girl, a virgin.” The third person plural subject of the verb is indefinite (see GKC 460 §144.f). The appositional expression, “a young girl, a virgin,” is idiomatic; the second term specifically defines the more general first term (see IBHS 230 §12.3b).
  5. 1 Kings 1:2 tn Heb “and she will stand before the king.” The Hebrew phrase “stand before” can mean “to attend; to serve” (BDB 764 s.v. עָמַד).
  6. 1 Kings 1:2 tn Heb “and she will lie down in your bosom.” The expression might imply sexual intimacy (see 2 Sam 12:3 [where the lamb symbolizes Bathsheba] and Mic 7:5), though v. 4b indicates that David did not actually have sex with the young woman.
  7. 1 Kings 1:2 tn Heb “and my master, the king, will be warm.”
  8. 1 Kings 1:3 tn Heb “through all the territory of Israel.”
  9. 1 Kings 1:4 tn Heb “did not know her.” The verb יָדַע (yadaʿ, “to know”) is a euphemism for sexual relations.
  10. 1 Kings 1:5 tn Heb “son of Haggith,” but since this formula usually designates the father (who in this case was David), the translation specifies that David was Adonijah’s father.sn Haggith was one of David’s wives (2 Sam 3:4; 2 Chr 3:2).
  11. 1 Kings 1:5 tn Heb “lifting himself up.”
  12. 1 Kings 1:5 tn Heb “saying.”
  13. 1 Kings 1:5 tn Or “he acquired for himself.”
  14. 1 Kings 1:5 tn Heb “to run ahead of him.”
  15. 1 Kings 1:6 tn Or “disciplined.”
  16. 1 Kings 1:6 tn Heb “did not correct him from his days.” The phrase “from his days” means “from his earliest days,” or “ever in his life.” See GKC 382 §119.w, n. 2.
  17. 1 Kings 1:6 tn Heb “and she gave birth to him after Absalom.” This does not imply they had the same mother; Absalom’s mother was Maacah, not Haggith (2 Sam 3:4).
  18. 1 Kings 1:7 tn Heb “his words were.”
  19. 1 Kings 1:7 tn Heb “helped after” (i.e., stood by).
  20. 1 Kings 1:7 tn Heb “Adonijah.” The proper name has been replaced by the pronoun (“him”) in the translation for stylistic reasons.
  21. 1 Kings 1:8 tn Or “bodyguard” (Heb “mighty men”).
  22. 1 Kings 1:8 tn Heb “were not.”
  23. 1 Kings 1:9 tc The ancient Greek version omits this appositional phrase.
  24. 1 Kings 1:10 tn Or “bodyguard” (Heb “mighty men”).
  25. 1 Kings 1:11 tn Heb “Have you not heard?”
  26. 1 Kings 1:11 tn Heb “and our master David does not know.”
  27. 1 Kings 1:12 tn Heb “now, come.” The imperative of הָלַךְ (halakh) is here used as an introductory interjection. See BDB 234 s.v. חָלַךְ.
  28. 1 Kings 1:12 tn Or “so that.”
  29. 1 Kings 1:13 tn Heb “come, go to.” The imperative of הָלַךְ (halakh) is here used as an introductory interjection. See BDB 234 s.v. חָלַךְ.
  30. 1 Kings 1:13 tn Or “swear an oath to.”
  31. 1 Kings 1:14 tn In the Hebrew text the sentence is introduced by the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”), which here draws attention to Nathan’s concluding word of assurance and support. For this use of the word, see HALOT 252 s.v. הִנֵּה.
  32. 1 Kings 1:14 tc The Hebrew text reads, “I will come after you.”
  33. 1 Kings 1:14 tn Heb “fill up [i.e., confirm] your words.”
  34. 1 Kings 1:15 tn Or “bedroom.”
  35. 1 Kings 1:16 tn Heb “bowed low and bowed down to.”
  36. 1 Kings 1:18 tc Instead of עַתָּה (ʿattah, “now”) many Hebrew mss, along with the Old Greek, Syriac Peshitta, and Latin Vulgate, have the similar sounding independent pronoun אַתָּה (ʾattah, “you”). This reading is followed in the present translation.
  37. 1 Kings 1:18 tn Heb “you do not know [about it].”
  38. 1 Kings 1:20 tc Many Hebrew mss have עַתָּה (ʿattah, “now”) rather than the similar sounding independent pronoun אַתָּה (ʾattah, “you”).
  39. 1 Kings 1:20 tn Heb “the eyes of all Israel are upon you to declare to them who will sit on the throne of my master the king after him.”
  40. 1 Kings 1:21 tn The words “if a decision is not made” are added for clarification.
  41. 1 Kings 1:21 tn Heb “lies down with his fathers.”
  42. 1 Kings 1:21 tn Heb “I and my son Solomon.” The order has been reversed in the translation for stylistic reasons.
  43. 1 Kings 1:21 tn Heb “will be guilty”; NASB “considered offenders”; TEV “treated as traitors.”
  44. 1 Kings 1:22 tn Heb “look.” The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh) here draws attention to Nathan’s arrival and invites the audience to view the scene through the eyes of the participants.
  45. 1 Kings 1:23 tn Heb “ground.” Since this was indoors, “floor” is more appropriate than “ground.”
  46. 1 Kings 1:25 tn Heb “look.”
  47. 1 Kings 1:25 tn Heb “eating and drinking.”
  48. 1 Kings 1:25 tn Heb “let the king, Adonijah, live!”
  49. 1 Kings 1:27 tc Many Hebrew mss and ancient textual witnesses agree with the Qere in reading this as singular, “your servant.”
  50. 1 Kings 1:27 tn Heb “From my master the king is this thing done, and you did not make known to your servants who will sit on the throne of my master the king after him?”
  51. 1 Kings 1:28 tn Heb “answered and said.”
  52. 1 Kings 1:28 sn Summon Bathsheba. Bathsheba must have left the room when Nathan arrived (see 1:22).
  53. 1 Kings 1:28 tn Heb “she came before the king and stood before the king.”
  54. 1 Kings 1:29 tn Or “ransomed my life.”
  55. 1 Kings 1:30 tn Or “carry out, perform.”
  56. 1 Kings 1:31 tn Heb “bowed low, face [to] the ground, and bowed down to the king.”
  57. 1 Kings 1:32 sn Summon…Nathan. Nathan must have left the room when Bathsheba reentered.
  58. 1 Kings 1:33 tn Heb “the king.”
  59. 1 Kings 1:33 tn The plural form is used in the Hebrew text to indicate honor and authority.
  60. 1 Kings 1:33 tn Heb “mount Solomon my son on the mule that belongs to me and take him down to Gihon.”
  61. 1 Kings 1:34 tn Or “designate” (i.e., by anointing with oil).
  62. 1 Kings 1:35 tn Or “commanded.”
  63. 1 Kings 1:36 tn Heb “answered and said.”
  64. 1 Kings 1:36 tn Or “Amen.”
  65. 1 Kings 1:36 tn Heb “So may the Lord God of my master the king say.”
  66. 1 Kings 1:37 tn Heb “and may he make his throne greater than the throne of my master King David.”
  67. 1 Kings 1:38 sn The Kerethites and Pelethites were members of David’s royal guard (see 2 Sam 8:18). The Kerethites may have been descendants of an ethnic group originating in Crete.
  68. 1 Kings 1:39 tn Heb “the horn of oil.” This has been specified as olive oil in the translation for clarity.sn A horn filled with oil. An animal’s horn was used as an oil flask in the anointing ceremony.
  69. 1 Kings 1:39 tn Or “anointed.”
  70. 1 Kings 1:40 tn Heb “and all the people went up after him, and the people were playing flutes and rejoicing with great joy and the ground split open at the sound of them.” The verb בָּקַע (baqaʿ, “to split open”), which elsewhere describes the effects of an earthquake, is obviously here an exaggeration for the sake of emphasis.
  71. 1 Kings 1:41 tn Heb “And Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard, now they had finished eating.”
  72. 1 Kings 1:41 tn Heb “Why is the city’s sound noisy?”
  73. 1 Kings 1:42 tn The Hebrew text has “look” at this point. The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh), “look” draws attention to Jonathan’s arrival and invites the audience to view the scene through the eyes of the participants.
  74. 1 Kings 1:42 tn Or “surely.”
  75. 1 Kings 1:42 tn Heb “you are a man of strength [or “ability”] and you bring a message [that is] good.” Another option is to understand the phrase אִישׁ חַיִל (ʾish khayil) in the sense of “a worthy man,” that is “loyal.” See also 1 Kgs 1:52 and HALOT 311 s.v. חַיִל.
  76. 1 Kings 1:43 tn Heb “answered and said.”
  77. 1 Kings 1:43 tn For a similar use of אֲבָל (ʾaval), see Gen 17:19, where God rejects Abraham’s proposal and offers an alternative.
  78. 1 Kings 1:43 tn The plural form is used in the Hebrew text to indicate honor and authority.
  79. 1 Kings 1:45 tn I.e., designated by anointing with oil.
  80. 1 Kings 1:46 tn Heb “And also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom.”
  81. 1 Kings 1:47 tn Heb “to bless.”
  82. 1 Kings 1:47 tn The plural form is used in the Hebrew text to indicate honor and authority.
  83. 1 Kings 1:47 tc Many Hebrew mss agree with the Qere in reading simply “God.”
  84. 1 Kings 1:47 tn Heb “make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne.” The term שֵׁם (shem, “name”) is used here of one’s fame and reputation.
  85. 1 Kings 1:47 tn Or “bowed down; worshiped.”
  86. 1 Kings 1:48 tn The Hebrew text reads, “and the king said.”
  87. 1 Kings 1:48 tn Or “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who….” In this blessing formula אֲשֶׁר (ʾasher, “who; because”) introduces the reason why the one being blessed deserves the honor.
  88. 1 Kings 1:48 tn Heb “and my eyes are seeing.”
  89. 1 Kings 1:49 tn Or “were afraid, trembled.”
  90. 1 Kings 1:50 sn Grabbed hold of the horns of the altar. The “horns” of the altar were the horn-shaped projections on the four corners of the altar (see Exod 27:2). By going to the holy place and grabbing hold of the horns of the altar, Adonijah was seeking asylum from Solomon.
  91. 1 Kings 1:51 tn Heb “King Solomon.” The name and title have been replaced by the pronoun (“you”) in the translation for stylistic reasons.
  92. 1 Kings 1:51 tn Or “swear an oath to.”
  93. 1 Kings 1:52 tn Heb “if he is a man of strength [or ability].” In this context, where Adonijah calls himself a “servant,” implying allegiance to the new king, the phrase אִישׁ חַיִל (ʾish khayil) probably carries the sense of “a worthy man,” that is, “loyal” (see HALOT 311 s.v. חַיִל).
  94. 1 Kings 1:52 tn Heb “but if evil is found in him.”
  95. 1 Kings 1:53 tn Heb “sent and they brought him down.”
  96. 1 Kings 1:53 tn Heb “Go to your house.”
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1 Kings 1
The Message

David

1 1-4 King David grew old. The years had caught up with him. Even though they piled blankets on him, he couldn’t keep warm. So his servants said to him, “We’re going to get a young virgin for our master the king to be at his side and look after him; she’ll get in bed with you and arouse our master the king.” So they searched the country of Israel for the most ravishing girl they could find; they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. The girl was stunningly beautiful; she stayed at his side and looked after the king, but the king did not have sex with her.

5-6 At this time Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, puffed himself up saying, “I’m the next king!” He made quite a splash, with chariots and riders and fifty men to run ahead of him. His father had spoiled him rotten as a child, never once reprimanding him. Besides that, he was very good-looking and the next in line after Absalom.

7-8 Adonijah talked with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they threw their weight on his side. But neither the priest Zadok, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor Nathan the prophet, nor Shimei and Rei, nor David’s personal bodyguards supported Adonijah.

9-10 Next Adonijah held a coronation feast, sacrificing sheep, cattle, and grain-fed heifers at the Stone of Zoheleth near the Rogel Spring. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and everyone in Judah who had position and influence—but he did not invite the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, the bodyguards, or his brother Solomon.

11-14 Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Did you know that Adonijah, Haggith’s son, has taken over as king, and our master David doesn’t know a thing about it? Quickly now, let me tell you how you can save both your own life and Solomon’s. Go immediately to King David. Speak up: ‘Didn’t you, my master the king, promise me, “Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne”? So why is Adonijah now king?’ While you’re there talking with the king, I’ll come in and corroborate your story.”

15-16 Bathsheba went at once to the king in his palace bedroom. He was so old! Abishag was at his side making him comfortable. As Bathsheba bowed low, honoring the king, he said, “What do you want?”

17-21 “My master,” she said, “you promised me in God’s name, ‘Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne.’ And now look what’s happened—Adonijah has taken over as king, and my master the king doesn’t even know it! He has thrown a huge coronation feast—cattle and grain-fed heifers and sheep—inviting all the king’s sons, the priest Abiathar, and Joab head of the army. But your servant Solomon was not invited. My master the king, every eye in Israel is watching you to see what you’ll do—to see who will sit on the throne of my master the king after him. If you fail to act, the moment you’re buried my son Solomon and I are as good as dead.”

22-23 Abruptly, while she was telling the king all this, Nathan the prophet came in and was announced: “Nathan the prophet is here.” He came before the king, honoring him by bowing deeply, his face touching the ground.

24-27 “My master the king,” Nathan began, “did you say, ‘Adonijah shall be king after me and sit on my throne’? Because that’s what’s happening. He’s thrown a huge coronation feast—cattle, grain-fed heifers, sheep—inviting all the king’s sons, the army officers, and Abiathar the priest. They’re having a grand time, eating and drinking and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ But I wasn’t invited, nor was the priest Zadok, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon. Is this something that my master the king has done behind our backs, not telling your servants who you intended to be king after you?”

28 King David took action: “Get Bathsheba back in here.” She entered and stood before the king.

29-30 The king solemnly promised, “As God lives, the God who delivered me from every kind of trouble, I’ll do exactly what I promised in God’s name, the God of Israel: Your son Solomon will be king after me and take my place on the throne. And I’ll make sure it happens this very day.”

31 Bathsheba bowed low, her face to the ground. Kneeling in reverence before the king she said, “Oh, may my master, King David, live forever!”

32 King David said, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” They came to the king.

33-35 Then he ordered, “Gather my servants, then mount my son Solomon on my royal mule and lead him in procession down to Gihon. When you get there, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the ram’s horn trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ You will then accompany him as he enters and takes his place on my throne, succeeding me as king. I have named him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36-37 Benaiah son of Jehoiada backed the king: “Yes! And may God, the God of my master the king, confirm it! Just as God has been with my master the king, may he also be with Solomon and make his rule even greater than that of my master King David!”

38-40 Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s personal bodyguard (the Kerethites and Pelethites) went down, mounted Solomon on King David’s mule, and paraded with him to Gihon. Zadok the priest brought a flask of oil from the sanctuary and anointed Solomon. They blew the ram’s horn trumpet and everyone shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” Everyone joined the fanfare, the band playing and the people singing, the very earth reverberating to the sound.

41 Adonijah and his retinue of guests were just finishing their “coronation” feast when they heard it. When Joab heard the blast of the ram’s horn trumpet he said, “What’s going on here? What’s all this uproar?”

42 Suddenly, in the midst of the questioning, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest, showed up. Adonijah said, “Welcome! A brave and good man like you must have good news.”

43-48 But Jonathan answered, “Hardly! Our master King David has just made Solomon king! And the king has surrounded him with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, with the Kerethites and Pelethites; and they’ve mounted Solomon on the royal mule. Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon and the parade is headed up this way singing—a great fanfare! The city is beside itself! That’s what you’re hearing. Here’s the crowning touch—Solomon is seated on the throne of the kingdom! And that’s not all: The king’s servants have come to give their blessing to our master King David saying, ‘God make Solomon’s name even more honored than yours, and make his rule greater than yours!’ On his deathbed the king worshiped God and prayed, ‘Blessed be God, Israel’s God, who has provided a successor to my throne, and I’ve lived to see it!’”

49-50 Panicked, Adonijah’s guests got out of there, scattering every which way. But Adonijah himself, afraid for his life because of Solomon, fled to the sanctuary and grabbed the horns of the Altar.

51 Solomon was told, “Adonijah, fearful of King Solomon, has taken sanctuary and seized the horns of the Altar and is saying, ‘I’m not leaving until King Solomon promises that he won’t kill me.’”

52-53 Solomon then said, “If he proves to be a man of honor, not a hair of his head will be hurt; but if there is evil in him, he’ll die.” Solomon summoned him and they brought him from the Altar. Adonijah came and bowed down, honoring the king. Solomon dismissed him, “Go home.”

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