1 Kings Chapter 1

Conversational Yahveh Covenant

David in His Old Age

¹ When King David got old, they covered him with blankets, but he still had the chills. ² His advisers told him, “Have us look for a young virgin so she can attend you, become your nurse, and lie in your arms to keep you warm.” ³ They searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. ⁴ She became his nurse, but he didn’t have relations with her.

Adonijah Claims the Throne

⁵ Adonijah Ben-Haggith^fem pushed himself forward to make himself king. He prepared chariots and horsemen with 50 men to run ahead of him. ⁶ His father had never crossed him by asking why he did something.  ⁷ He’d conferred with Joab Ben-Jeruiah and Abiathar the priest. They supported him. He was a handsome man, born after Absalom. ⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah Ben-Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and The Three most elite soldiers, belonged to David, didn’t join him. ⁹ Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and young grain-fed animals by the Rock of Zoheleth next to En-rogel. He invited his half-brothers, the king’s sons; and the men of Judah, the king’s aides. ¹⁰ But he didn’t invite Nathan, Benaiah, The Three most elite soldiers, or his half-brother Solomon.                              1 Kg 1:1-10

¹¹ Nathan told Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother,

“Haven’t you heard that Adonijah has become king, and David our lord doesn’t know it? ¹² Take my advice and save your life and your son’s life. ¹³ Go right now to King David and say, ‘Haven’t you sworn to me that Solomon will be king after you? Why has Adonijah become king?’ ¹⁴ While you’re there, I’ll come in and confirm what you say.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went to the king’s bedroom; Abishag was helping him. ¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself to him, and he asked, “What can I do for you?”

¹⁷ She said,

“You swore to me by Yahveh your God that my son Solomon would be the next king. ¹⁸ Adonijah has made himself king without you knowing it. ¹⁹ He has sacrificed lots of oxen, grain-fed animals, and sheep, and invited your sons Abiathar and Joab, but not Solomon. ²⁰ My lord the king, Israel is looking to you to tell them who will sit on your throne. ²¹ Otherwise, as soon as you die, my son and I will be considered adversaries.” 1 Kg 1:11-21

²² While she was talking, Nathan came. ²³ They told the king, “Nathan’s here.” When he came in, he bowed low ²⁴ and said,

“My lord the king, have you said Adonijah will be king? ²⁵ He’s gone down today and sacrificed lots of oxen, grain-fed calves, and sheep and invited your sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar. They’re eating and drinking with him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ ²⁶ But he hasn’t invited me, Zadok, Benaiah, or Solomon. ²⁷ Have you done this without telling us?”

David Appoints Solomon as King

²⁸ King David answered, “Call Bathsheba.” She came in and faced him. ²⁹ He vowed,

“As sure as Yahveh lives who has redeemed me from distress, ³⁰ as sure as I swore to you by Yahveh God of Israel that your son Solomon would be king after me, I’ll declare it publicly today.”

³¹ She bowed to the floor and said, “Long live my lord King David!” 1 Kg 1:22-31

³² David said, “Call Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah.” When they came in, ³³ he told them,

“Take my officials with you, have Solomon ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. ³⁴ Have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there as king. Blow the ram’s horn and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ ³⁵ Then come up behind him. He’ll come and sit on my throne. I’ve appointed him to rule Israel and Judah.” 

³⁶ Benaiah answered,

“Amen! So may Yahveh your God say, ³⁷ ‘As Yahveh has been with you, so may he be with Solomon and make his throne greater than yours!’”

³⁸ Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the king’s bodyguard went down and had Solomon ride David’s mule to Gihon. ³⁹ Zadok took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the ram’s horn and the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” ⁴⁰ The people followed him up, playing flutes and celebrating. The ground shook at the sound of them.                         1 Kg 1:32-40

⁴¹ Adonijah and his guests heard it as they finished eating. When Joab heard the ram’s horn, he said, “Why is the city in such an uproar?” ⁴² While he was speaking, Jonathan Ben-Abiathar came. Adonijah said, “Come in, brave man with good news.” ⁴³ But Jonathan answered,

“No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. ⁴⁴ He sent with him Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the king’s bodyguard. They’ve had him ride the king’s mule. ⁴⁵ Zadok and Nathan anointed him king at Gihon and have come up celebrating. That’s why the city’s in an uproar. ⁴⁶ Solomon has even taken his seat on the throne. ⁴⁷ The king’s aides came to bless our lord King David and say, ‘May your God make Solomon’s name better than your name and his throne greater than yours!’ ⁴⁸ The king also said, ‘Bless Yahveh God of Israel, who has granted a man to sit on my throne today while I can see it.’”         1 Kg 1:41-48

⁴⁹ Adonijah’s guests panicked and fled. ⁵⁰ Adonijah was scared of Solomon. He went and held onto the horns of the altar. ⁵¹ Solomon heard, “Adonijah is scared. He’s holding onto the horns of the altar and calling for you to swear to him that you won’t put him to death.”

⁵² Solomon said, “If he’ll be a worthy man, not a hair of his will fall to the ground. But if he does anything sinful, he’ll die.” ⁵³ King Solomon had them bring him down from the altar. He came and prostrated himself to Solomon. He told him to go on home.              1 Kg 1:49-53