Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

¹² May the Lord give you discretion and understanding^(A) when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. ¹³ Then you will have success^(B) if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws^(C) that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous.^(D) Do not be afraid or discouraged.

⁸ But about the Son he says,

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹⁰ Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead^(A) this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹⁹ And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion^(A) to keep your commands, statutes and decrees^(B) and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”^(C)

³⁹ Zadok the priest took the horn of oil^(A) from the sacred tent^(B) and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet^(C) and all the people shouted,^(D) “Long live King Solomon!” ⁴⁰ And all the people went up after him, playing pipes^(E) and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound.

⁴¹ Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, “What’s the meaning of all the noise in the city?”^(F)

⁴² Even as he was speaking, Jonathan^(G) son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news.”^(H)

⁴³ “Not at all!” Jonathan answered. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king. ⁴⁴ The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king’s mule, ⁴⁵ and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds^(I) with it. That’s the noise you hear. ⁴⁶ Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat^(J) on the royal throne. ⁴⁷ Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours and his throne greater^(K) than yours!’ And the king bowed in worship on his bed ⁴⁸ and said, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor^(L) on my throne today.’”

⁴⁹ At this, all Adonijah’s guests rose in alarm and dispersed. ⁵⁰ But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns^(M) of the altar. ⁵¹ Then Solomon was told, “Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’”

⁵² Solomon replied, “If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair^(N) of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.” ⁵³ Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, “Go to your home.”

David’s Charge to Solomon^(O)

2 When the time drew near for David to die,^(P) he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

² “I am about to go the way of all the earth,”^(Q) he said. “So be strong,^(R) act like a man, ³ and observe^(S) what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper^(T) in all you do and wherever you go ⁴ and that the Lord may keep his promise^(U) to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully^(V) before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’