| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. | 1King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. |
| 2So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.” | 2So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.” |
| 3Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. | 3So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king. |
| 4The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her. | 4The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her. Adonijah Claims the Throne |
| 5At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. | 5About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. |
| 6(His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) | 6Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome. |
| 7So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. | 7Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king. |
| 8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah. | 8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah. |
| 9And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king. | 9Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers—the other sons of King David—and all the royal officials of Judah. |
| 10But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon. | 10But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king’s bodyguard or his brother Solomon. |
| 11Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? | 11Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it? |
| 12Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. | 12If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice. |
| 13Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ | 13Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ |
| 14Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.” | 14And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.” |
| 15So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him. | 15So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.) |
| 16And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” | 16Bathsheba bowed down before the king. “What can I do for you?” he asked her. |
| 17“My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ | 17She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the LORD your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’ |
| 18But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, did not know it. | 18But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it. |
| 19And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon. | 19He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon. |
| 20And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. | 20And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you. |
| 21Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be counted as criminals.” | 21If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.” |
| 22And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. | 22While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. |
| 23So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king. | 23The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.” Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. |
| 24“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’? | 24Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your 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!’ | 25Today 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!’ |
| 26But me your servant he did not invite, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon. | 26But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon. |
| 27Has my lord the king let this happen without informing your servant who should sit on the throne after my lord the king?” | 27Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?” David Makes Solomon King |
| 28Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him. | 28King David responded, “Call Bathsheba!” So she came back in and stood before the king. |
| 29And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, | 29And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has rescued me from every danger, |
| 30I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.” | 30your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the LORD, the God of Israel.” |
| 31Bathsheba bowed facedown in homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!” | 31Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, “May my lord King David live forever!” |
| 32Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. | 32Then King David ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came into the king’s presence, |
| 33“Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. | 33the king said to them, “Take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule. |
| 34There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ | 34There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram’s horn and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ |
| 35Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” | 35Then escort him back here, and he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.” |
| 36“Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. | 36“Amen!” Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen. |
| 37Just as the LORD was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than that of my lord King David.” | 37And may the LORD be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!” |
| 38Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. | 38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule. |
| 39Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” | 39There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram’s horn and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” |
| 40All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound. | 40And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound. |
| 41Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab. | 41Adonijah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of the ram’s horn, he asked, “What’s going on? Why is the city in such an uproar?” |
| 42As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.” | 42And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” Adonijah said to him, “for you are a good man. You must have good news.” |
| 43“Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king. | 43“Not at all!” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has just declared Solomon king! |
| 44And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule. | 44The king sent him down to Gihon Spring with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, protected by the king’s bodyguard. They had him ride on the king’s own mule, |
| 45Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there with rejoicing that rings out in the city. That is the noise you hear. | 45and Zadok and Nathan have anointed him at Gihon Spring as the new king. They have just returned, and the whole city is celebrating and rejoicing. That’s what all the noise is about. |
| 46Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. | 46What’s more, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king. |
| 47The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed, | 47And all the royal officials have gone to King David and congratulated him, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s fame even greater than your own, and may Solomon’s reign be even greater than yours!’ Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed, |
| 48saying, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! Today He has provided one to sit on my throne, and my eyes have seen it.’ ” | 48and he said, ‘Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.’” |
| 49At this, all the guests of Adonijah arose in terror and scattered. | 49Then all of Adonijah’s guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered. |
| 50But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. | 50Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar. |
| 51It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’ ” | 51Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, “Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!” |
| 52And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” | 52Solomon replied, “If he proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched. But if he makes trouble, he will die.” |
| 53So King Solomon summoned Adonijah down from the altar, and he came and bowed down before King Solomon, who said to him, “Go to your home.” | 53So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, “Go on home.” |
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