1 Kings 1:11-27

The Voice

Nathan (to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother): ¹¹Do you not know the news? Adonijah (Haggith’s son) is now king, and David our lord does not know it yet. ¹²Come quickly, and let me help save your life and the life of your son, Solomon.

Adonijah is certain to kill anyone who challenges his throne, and Solomon is his greatest threat since King David selected him as the successor instead.

¹³Go this very instant to King David, and tell him, “My dear king and lord, did you not swear to me, your maidservant, ‘Your son, Solomon, will certainly be king after me. My throne will belong to him’? If so, then tell me why Adonijah is now king.”

¹⁴While you are still conversing with the king in his chambers, I will come in and confirm everything you have told him.

¹⁵Bathsheba rushed to the king’s chambers, where an elderly David was being served by his Shunammite nurse, Abishag. ¹⁶Bathsheba bowed before the king and put her face to the floor.

King David: What is it you want?

Bathsheba: ¹⁷My lord, in the name of your God, the Eternal, you made this promise to me, your servant: “Your son, Solomon, will certainly be king after me. My throne will belong to him.” ¹⁸But what’s this? Adonijah is now king, and you are completely unaware of it. ¹⁹Adonijah has sacrificed many sheep, oxen, and cattle that were prepared for slaughter. He sent invitations to all of the king’s sons and to Abiathar the priest and to Joab the commander of the military; but he did not send an invitation to Solomon, who is your loyal servant. ²⁰My lord the king, everyone in Israel is looking to you and waiting for your word. Who will rule from the throne after you? ²¹If you do not give instruction before you leave this world to sleep with your fathers, then my son, Solomon, and I will be guilty before Adonijah.

²²While Bathsheba was still talking to the king, Nathan the prophet came into the room.

Servants (to the king): ²³Nathan the prophet is here.

When Nathan entered the king’s chambers, he humbled himself to the ground before the king and put his face to the floor.

Nathan: ²⁴My king, did you give the instruction, “Adonijah is to be the next king. My throne will belong to him after I am gone”? ²⁵He has hosted a sacrificial gathering today. He sacrificed many sheep, oxen, and cattle that were prepared for slaughter. He sent invitations to all of the king’s sons and all the military leaders and to Abiathar the priest, and they are all eating and drinking with him this very moment. They are even chanting, “May King Adonijah have a long life!” ²⁶I, your servant, was not invited, nor was Zadok the priest, Benaiah (Jehoiada’s son), or your loyal servant, Solomon. ²⁷Did you, my lord and king, give this instruction and not tell all of us, your devoted servants, who would receive your throne after you are gone?