1 Kings 1:25
New International Version
Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

New Living Translation
Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

English Standard Version
For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

Berean Standard Bible
For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

King James Bible
For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

New King James Version
For he has gone down today, and has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and look! They are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

New American Standard Bible
For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fattened steers and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking in his presence; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

NASB 1995
“For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons and the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

NASB 1977
“For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons and the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

Legacy Standard Bible
For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons and the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

Amplified Bible
Because he has gone down today [to En-Rogel] and has sacrificed oxen and fattened steers and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest [to this feast]; and [right now] they are eating and drinking in his presence; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

Christian Standard Bible
For today he went down and lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and the priest Abiathar. And look! They’re eating and drinking in his presence, and they’re saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah! ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For today he went down and lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And look! They’re eating and drinking in his presence, and they’re saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

American Standard Version
For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and say, Long live king Adonijah.

Contemporary English Version
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!"

English Revised Version
For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
because today he went and sacrificed many bulls, fattened calves, and sheep. He invited all the king's sons, the army's commanders, and the priest Abiathar [to his feast]. They are eating and drinking with him and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'

Good News Translation
This very day he has gone and offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited all your sons, Joab the commander of your army, and Abiathar the priest, and right now they are feasting with him and shouting, 'Long live King Adonijah!'

International Standard Version
Well now, he went down today and sacrificed lots of oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep, and has invited all the king's sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. They're having a party together and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'

Majority Standard Bible
For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ?Long live King Adonijah!?

NET Bible
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 they are having a feast in his presence, and they have declared, 'Long live King Adonijah!'

New Heart English Bible
For he has gone down today and has sacrificed oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Look, they are eating and drinking before him, and say, 'Long live king Adonijah.'

Webster's Bible Translation
For he hath gone down this day, and hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

World English Bible
For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for he has gone down today, and sacrifices ox, and fatling, and sheep, in abundance, and calls for all the sons of the king, and for the heads of the host, and for Abiathar the priest, and behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and they say, Let King Adonijah live!

Young's Literal Translation
for he hath gone down to-day, and doth sacrifice ox, and fatling, and sheep, in abundance, and calleth for all the sons of the king, and for the heads of the host, and for Abiathar the priest, and lo, they are eating and drinking before him, and they say, Let king Adonijah live!

Smith's Literal Translation
For he went down this day, and he will sacrifice oxen and the fatling, and sheep for multitude, and he will call to all the king's sons, and for the chief of the army, and for Abiathar the priest, and behold them eating and drinking before him, and they will say, King Adonijah shall live.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because he is gone down to day, and hath killed oxen, and fatlings, and many rams, and invited all the king's sons, and the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest: and they are eating and drinking before him, and saying: God save king Adonias:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For today, he descended, and he immolated oxen, and fattened cattle, and many rams. And he summoned all the sons of the king, and the leaders of the army, along with Abiathar, the priest. And they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘As king Adonijah lives.’

New American Bible
For today he went down and sacrificed bulls, fatlings, and sheep in great numbers; he invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest, and even now they are eating and drinking in his company and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

New Revised Standard Version
For today he has gone down and has sacrificed oxen, fatted cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s children, Joab the commander of the army, and the priest Abiathar, who are now eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons and the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they are eating and drinking before him and saying, Long live King Adonijah!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For Aduniah has gone down today and he has offered bulls and fatlings and a multitude of sheep, and he called all the sons of the King and the General of the army and Abiathar the Priest, and behold, they are eating and they are drinking before him and they are saying: ‘Long live King Aduniah!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say: Long live king Adonijah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For he has gone down to-day, and has sacrificed calves and lambs and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king's sons, and the chiefs of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and they said, Long live king Adonias.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nathan and Bathsheba Before David
24“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’? 25For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26But me your servant he did not invite, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 29:24
All the officials and mighty men, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.

2 Samuel 15:10
Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”

2 Samuel 16:15
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

2 Samuel 17:1-4
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” ...

2 Samuel 18:9-15
Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair. / When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!” / “You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why did you not strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt!” ...

2 Samuel 19:10
But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

2 Samuel 20:1
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!”

1 Kings 2:15
“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.

1 Kings 2:22
King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

1 Kings 2:24-25
And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!” / So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.

Matthew 1:6
and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

Matthew 21:9
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Mark 11:9-10
The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Luke 19:38
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”


Treasury of Scripture

For he is gone down this day, and has slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

slain

1 Kings 1:9,19
And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: …

1 Samuel 11:14,15
Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there…

1 Chronicles 29:21-13
And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel: …

1 Kings 1:34
And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

1 Samuel 10:24
And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

2 Samuel 16:16
And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

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Abiathar Abundance Adonijah Army Captains Cattle Drink Drinking Eat Eating Fatlings King's Live Oxen Priest Sheep Slain
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Abiathar Abundance Adonijah Army Captains Cattle Drink Drinking Eat Eating Fatlings King's Live Oxen Priest Sheep Slain
1 Kings 1
1. Abishag cherishes David in his extreme age
5. Adonijah, David's darling, usurps the kingdom
11. By the council of Nathan
15. Bathsheba moves the king
22. And Nathan seconds her
28. David renews his oath to Bathsheba
32. Solomon, by David's appointment,
38. being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people triumph
41. Jonathan bringing the news, Adonijah's guests fly
50. Adonijah, flying to the horns of the altar, is dismissed by Solomon














For he has gone down today
The phrase "gone down" indicates a deliberate action taken by Adonijah, the son of King David, to assert his claim to the throne. In the Hebrew context, "gone down" (יָרַד, yarad) often implies a descent to a specific location with purpose. This action signifies Adonijah's attempt to establish his kingship by performing a public and ceremonial act, which was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures to legitimize authority.

sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep
Sacrifices were central to Israelite worship and political life. The Hebrew word for "sacrificed" (זָבַח, zabach) denotes a ritual offering to God, often to seek favor or divine approval. The "abundance" of sacrifices underscores Adonijah's wealth and his attempt to gain popular support by displaying generosity. In the ancient world, such lavish offerings were also a means to curry favor with influential figures and the populace.

He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest
The invitation of "all the king’s sons" and key military and religious leaders highlights Adonijah's strategic move to consolidate power. By including "the commanders of the army," Adonijah sought military backing, crucial for any claim to the throne. "Abiathar the priest" was a significant religious figure, and his support would lend spiritual legitimacy to Adonijah's claim. This gathering reflects the political maneuvering typical of royal successions in the ancient Near East.

And behold, they are eating and drinking before him
The act of "eating and drinking" in the presence of a would-be king was a sign of allegiance and celebration. In biblical times, shared meals were covenantal acts, symbolizing unity and agreement. The Hebrew word for "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) serves as an attention-grabbing device, emphasizing the importance of the scene and the participants' complicity in Adonijah's claim.

saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
The acclamation "Long live" (יְחִי, yechi) is a traditional expression of loyalty and support for a ruler. By proclaiming "King Adonijah," the attendees publicly endorse his kingship, despite the absence of David's approval. This phrase underscores the tension and potential conflict within the royal succession, as it directly challenges the divine and dynastic promises made to Solomon, David's chosen heir.

(25) God save king Adonijah.--Literally (as in 1Samuel 10:24; 2Samuel 16:16, &c.). "May the king live;" like the "Let the king live for ever" of 1Kings 1:31, and of Nehemiah 2:3; Daniel 2:4; Daniel 3:9, &c. . . . Verse 25. - For [proof that the king must have decreed that Adonijah should succeed him. There appears to be an undertone of reproof in these words. Nathan assumes that Adonijah cannot have done all this without David's knowledge and sanction, because "his father had not displeased him at any time" (ver. 6). This uprising was the result of David's over indulgence and. want of firmness] he is gone down this day, and hath slain [see on ver. 9] oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host [Joab was the captain (ver. 19). The plural shows that other high officers had followed his lead. "Under the captains of the host (ver. 25), the servants of the king (ver. 10) are included" (Bahr). Bahr's accidental miscitation (ver. 10 for ver. 9) has apparently led his American translator (p. 24) to the serious mistake of identifying these "captains of the host" with "the mighty men" (Gibborim) of ver. 10, who, it is distinctly said, "were not with Adonijah] and Abtathar the priest, and behold, they eat and drink before him [convivia apta conjurationibus. Grotius] and say, God save king Adonijah. [Hebrews "let the king (not "king," as marg.) Adonijah live," or better, "live the king," etc. (comp. the vivat rex, and the vives and vivas of later days.) This was the customary acclamation wherewith the Jews greeted their kings (cf. ver. 39; 1 Samuel 10:24; 2 Samuel 16:16: 2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chronicles 23:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֣י ׀ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

today
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

he has gone down
יָרַ֣ד (yā·raḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

and sacrificed
וַ֠יִּזְבַּח (way·yiz·baḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

an abundance
לָרֹב֒ (lā·rōḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

of oxen,
שׁ֥וֹר (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

fattened calves,
וּֽמְרִיא־ (ū·mə·rî-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4806: A fatling, fatlings

and sheep,
וְצֹאן֮ (wə·ṣōn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and has invited
וַיִּקְרָא֩ (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the sons
בְּנֵ֨י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of the king,
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

the commanders
וּלְשָׂרֵ֤י (ū·lə·śā·rê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the army,
הַצָּבָא֙ (haṣ·ṣā·ḇā)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

and Abiathar
וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֣ר (ū·lə·’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

the priest.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

And behold,
וְהִנָּ֛ם (wə·hin·nām)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

they are eating
אֹכְלִ֥ים (’ō·ḵə·lîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

and drinking
וְשֹׁתִ֖ים (wə·šō·ṯîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

before him,
לְפָנָ֑יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

saying,
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

?Long live
יְחִ֖י (yə·ḥî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

King
הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Adonijah!?
אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃ (’ă·ḏō·nî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 138: Adonijah -- 'my Lord is Yahweh', the name of several Israelites


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OT History: 1 Kings 1:25 For he is gone down this day (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 1:24
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