1 Kings 1:3-32 in English

³ So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair; and she cherished the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he was also a very goodly man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men that belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he called all his brethren, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants:

¹⁰ but Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

¹¹ Then Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering unto the king.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

¹⁷ And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by Jehovah thy God unto thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not:

¹⁹ and he hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host; but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

²² And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not showed unto thy servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then king David answered and said, Call to me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king sware, and said, As Jehovah liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ verily as I sware unto thee by Jehovah, the God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; verily so will I do this day.

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did obeisance to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call to me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel out of all the coasts of Israel; and they found Abisag the Somanite, and they brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was extremely beautiful, and she cherished the king, and ministered to him, but the king knew her not.

⁵ And Adonias the son of Aggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king; and he prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father never at any time checked him, saying, Why hast thou done thus? and he was also very handsome in appearance, and his mother bore him after Abessalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Saruia, and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed after Adonias.

⁸ But Sadoc the priest, and Banæas the son of Jodae, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Resi, and the mighty men of David, did not follow Adonias.

⁹ And Adonias sacrificed sheep and calves and lambs by the stone of Zoelethi, which was near Rogel: and he called all his brethren, and all the adult men of Juda, servants of the king.

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Banæas, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he did not call.

¹¹ And Nathan spoke to Bersabee the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonias the son of Aggith reigns, and our lord David knows it not?

¹² And now come, let me, I pray, give thee counsel, and thou shalt rescue thy life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Haste, and go in to king David, and thou shalt speak to him, saying, Hast not thou, my lord, O king, sworn to thine handmaid, saying, Thy son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then does Adonias reign?

¹⁴ And behold, while thou art still speaking there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and will confirm thy words.

¹⁵ So Bersabee went in to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old, and Abisag the Somanite was ministering to the king.

¹⁶ And Bersabee bowed, and did obeisance to the king; and the king said, What is thy request?

¹⁷ And she said, My lord, thou didst swear by the Lord thy God to thine handmaid, saying, Thy son Solomon shall reign after me, and shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonias reigns, and thou, my lord, O king, knowest it not.

¹⁹ And he has sacrificed calves and lambs and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king's sons, and Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander-in-chief of the host; but Solomon thy servant he has not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord, O king,—the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, to tell them who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ And it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and Solomon my son shall be offenders.

²² And behold, while she was yet talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came. And it was reported to the king,

²³ Behold, Nathan the prophet is here: and he came in to the king's presence, and did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, didst thou say, Adonias shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But he has not invited me thy servant, and Sadoc the priest, and Banæas the son of Jodae, and Solomon thy servant.

²⁷ Has this matter happened by the authority of my lord the king, and hast thou not made known to thy servant who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ And king David answered and said, Call me Bersabee: and she came in before the king, and stood before him.

²⁹ And the king swore, and said, As the Lord lives who redeemed my soul out of all affliction,

³⁰ as I swore to thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead, so will I do this day.

³¹ And Bersabee bowed with her face to the ground, and did obeisance to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Banæas the son of Jodae: and they came in before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

¹¹ Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

¹⁷ And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

¹⁹ And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

²² And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

³⁰ Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

¹¹ Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

¹⁷ And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

¹⁹ And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

²² And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

³⁰ Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel out of all the coasts of Israel; and they found Abisag the Somanite, and they brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was extremely beautiful, and she cherished the king, and ministered to him, but the king knew her not.

⁵ And Adonias the son of Aggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king; and he prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father never at any time checked him, saying, Why have you done thus? and he was also very handsome in appearance, and his mother bore him after Abessalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Saruia, and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed after Adonias.

⁸ But Sadoc the priest, and Banaeas the son of Jodae, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Resi, and the mighty men of David, did not follow Adonias.

⁹ And Adonias sacrificed sheep and calves and lambs by the stone of Zoelethi, which was near Rogel: and he called all his brethren, and all the adult men of Juda, servants of the king.

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Banaeas, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he did not call.

¹¹ And Nathan spoke to Bersabee the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast you not heard that Adonias the son of Aggith reigns, and our lord David knows it not?

¹² And now come, let me, I pray, give you counsel, and you shall rescue your life, and the life of your son Solomon.

¹³ Haste, and go in to king David, and you shall speak to him, saying, Hast not you, my lord, O king, sworn to your handmaid, saying, Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then does Adonias reign?

¹⁴ And behold, while you are still speaking there with the king, I also will come in after you, and will confirm your words.

¹⁵ So Bersabee went in to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old, and Abisag the Somanite was ministering to the king.

¹⁶ And Bersabee bowed, and did obeisance to the king; and the king said, What is your request?

¹⁷ And she said, My lord, you did swear by the Lord your God to your handmaid, saying, Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonias reigns, and you, my lord, O king, know it not.

¹⁹ And he has sacrificed calves and lambs and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king's sons, and Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander-in-chief of the host; but Solomon your servant he has not called.

²⁰ And you, my lord, O king, —the eyes of all Israel are upon you, to tell them who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ And it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and Solomon my son shall be offenders.

²² And behold, while she was yet talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came. And it was reported to the king,

²³ Behold, Nathan the prophet is here: and he came in to the king's presence, and did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, did you say, Adonias shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ For he has gone down today, 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.

²⁶ But he has not invited me your servant, and Sadoc the priest, and Banaeas the son of Jodae, and Solomon your servant.

²⁷ Has this matter happened by the authority of my lord the king, and have you not made known to your servant who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ And king David answered and said, Call me Bersabee: and she came in before the king, and stood before him.

²⁹ And the king swore, and said, As the Lord lives who redeemed my soul out of all affliction,

³⁰ as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead, so will I do this day.

³¹ And Bersabee bowed with her face to the ground, and did obeisance to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Banaeas the son of Jodae: and they came in before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair; and she cherished the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he was also a very goodly man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:

¹⁰ but Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

¹¹ Then Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

¹⁷ And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shah sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not:

¹⁹ and he hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

²² And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed unto thy servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ verily as I sware unto thee by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; verily so will I do this day:

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did obeisance to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ The king gave them permission, so they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman. They found a woman named Abishag, from Shunem town, and brought her to the king.

⁴ She was truly very beautiful. She took care of DOU the king, but the king did not have sexual relations with her.

⁵ After Absalom died, David's oldest surviving son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. He was a very handsome/good-looking man. But David had never rebuked him about anything he did. After Absalom died, Adonijah thought that he would become king. So he started to boast, saying “I will become king now.” Then he provided for himself some chariots, and men to drive them, and horses to pull them, and fifty men to run as his bodyguards in front of those chariots wherever he went.

⁷ One day he conferred with Joab, David's army commander, and Abiathar the priest, and they promised/agreed to help/support Adonijah.

⁸ But Zadok, who was also a priest, Benaiah who had supervised David's bodyguards, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei, and David's most capable soldiers refused to help/support Adonijah.

⁹ One day Adonijah went to Snake Rock near En-Rogel Spring, which is near Jerusalem, to sacrifice some sheep and oxen and fattened cattle. He invited most of his brothers, King David's other sons, to come. He also invited all of the king's officials from Judah to come to the celebration.

¹⁰ But he did not invite Nathan or Benaiah or the king's most capable soldiers or his younger/half -brother Solomon.

¹¹ Nathan found out what they were doing, so he went to Solomon's mother Bathsheba and asked her, “Have you not heard that Haggith's son Adonijah is declared himself to be the king? And King David does not know about it!

¹² So if you want to save yourself and your son Solomon from being killed, allow me to tell you what you should do.

¹³ Go immediately to King David. Say to him, ‘Your Majesty, you solemnly promised me RHQ that my son Solomon would become the king after you die, and that he would sit on your throne and rule. So why is it that Adonijah has said that he is now the king?’

¹⁴ Then, while you are still talking to the king, I will come in and tell him that what you are saying to him about Adonijah is true.”

¹⁵ So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag was taking care of him.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed very low in front of the king, and the king asked her, “What do you want?”

¹⁷ She replied, “Your Majesty, you solemnly promised me, knowing that Yahweh our God was listening IDM, that my son Solomon would become king after you die, and that he would sit on your throne and rule.

¹⁸ But now, believe it or not, Adonijah has become king, and you do not know anything about it.

¹⁹ He has sacrificed a lot of oxen and fattened cattle and sheep, and he has invited all of your other sons to the celebration. He has also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of your army, but he did not invite your son Solomon.

²⁰ Your Majesty, all the people SYN of Israel are expecting you to tell them who is the one who will become king after you are no longer the king.

²¹ If you do not do that, what will happen is that after you die EUP people will consider that my son Solomon and I are rebelling, and they will execute us because we did not help Adonijah to become king.”

²² While she was still talking to the king, Nathan came to the palace.

²³ The king's servants/advisors told David, “Nathan the prophet has come.” So Bathsheba left, and Nathan went into where the king was and knelt down, with his face on the ground.

²⁴ Then Nathan said, “Your Majesty, have you declared that Adonijah will become king after you are no longer the king?

²⁵ I say that because today he has gone down to En-Rogel Spring and has sacrificed a lot of oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. And he has invited all of your other sons, Joab the army commander, and Abiathar the priest. They are all eating and drinking with him and saying ‘We hope/desire that King Adonijah will live a long time!’

²⁶ But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or Solomon.

²⁷ Did you, as the king, say that they should do this without telling your other officials who you want to become king MTY after you are no longer the king?”

²⁸ Then after Nathan left the room, King David said to one of his servants, “Tell Bathsheba to come in here again.” So he went and told her, and she came in and stood in front of the king.

²⁹ Then the king said, “Yahweh has rescued me from all my troubles. I promised you, with Yahweh the God whom we Israelis worship listening, that your son Solomon would be king after I am no longer the king. Today, as surely as Yahweh lives, I solemnly declare that I will do what I promised.”

³¹ Bathsheba knelt down with her face on the ground and said, “Your Majesty, I hope/desire that you will live for many more years HYP!”

³² Then King David said, “Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah.” So someone went and summoned them. When they came in,

³ So they sought for a fair damsel out of all the coasts of Israel; and they found Abisag the Somanite, and they brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was extremely beautiful, and she cherished the king, and ministered to him, but the king knew her not.

⁵ And Adonias the son of Aggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king; and he prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father never at any time checked him, saying, Why have you done thus? and he was also very handsome in appearance, and his mother bore him after Abessalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Saruia, and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed after Adonias.

⁸ But Sadoc the priest, and Banaeas the son of Jodae, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Resi, and the mighty men of David, did not follow Adonias.

⁹ And Adonias sacrificed sheep and calves and lambs by the stone of Zoelethi, which was near Rogel: and he called all his brethren, and all the adult men of Juda, servants of the king.

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Banaeas, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he did not call.

¹¹ And Nathan spoke to Bersabee the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast you not heard that Adonias the son of Aggith reigns, and our lord David knows it not?

¹² And now come, let me, I pray, give you counsel, and you shall rescue your life, and the life of your son Solomon.

¹³ Haste, and go in to king David, and you shall speak to him, saying, Hast not you, my lord, O king, sworn to your handmaid, saying, Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then does Adonias reign?

¹⁴ And behold, while you are still speaking there with the king, I also will come in after you, and will confirm your words.

¹⁵ So Bersabee went in to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old, and Abisag the Somanite was ministering to the king.

¹⁶ And Bersabee bowed, and did obeisance to the king; and the king said, What is your request?

¹⁷ And she said, My lord, you did swear by the Lord your God to your handmaid, saying, Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonias reigns, and you, my lord, O king, know it not.

¹⁹ And he has sacrificed calves and lambs and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king's sons, and Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander-in-chief of the host; but Solomon your servant he has not called.

²⁰ And you, my lord, O king, —the eyes of all Israel are upon you, to tell them who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ And it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and Solomon my son shall be offenders.

²² And behold, while she was yet talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came. And it was reported to the king,

²³ Behold, Nathan the prophet is here: and he came in to the king's presence, and did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, did you say, Adonias shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ For he has gone down today, 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.

²⁶ But he has not invited me your servant, and Sadoc the priest, and Banaeas the son of Jodae, and Solomon your servant.

²⁷ Has this matter happened by the authority of my lord the king, and have you not made known to your servant who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ And king David answered and said, Call me Bersabee: and she came in before the king, and stood before him.

²⁹ And the king swore, and said, As the Lord lives who redeemed my soul out of all affliction,

³⁰ as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead, so will I do this day.

³¹ And Bersabee bowed with her face to the ground, and did obeisance to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Banaeas the son of Jodae: and they came in before the king.

³ So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;

¹⁰ but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

¹² Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

¹³ Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’

¹⁴ Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Yahweh your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

¹⁹ He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

²⁰ You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

²² Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’

²⁵ 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!’

²⁶ But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

²⁷ Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

²⁸ Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king vowed and said, “As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ most certainly as I swore to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.

³ So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;

¹⁰ but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

¹² Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

¹³ Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’

¹⁴ Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Yahweh your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

¹⁹ He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

²⁰ You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

²² Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’

²⁵ 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!’

²⁶ But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

²⁷ Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

²⁸ Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king vowed and said, “As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ most certainly as I swore to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.

³ So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;

¹⁰ but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

¹² Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

¹³ Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’

¹⁴ Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

¹⁹ He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

²⁰ You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

²² Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’

²⁵ 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!’

²⁶ But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

²⁷ Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

²⁸ Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.

³ So after searching through all the land of Israel for a fair young girl, they saw Abishag the Shunammite, and took her to the king.

⁴ Now she was very beautiful; and she took care of the king, waiting on him at all times; but the king had no connection with her.

⁵ Then Adonijah, the son of Haggith, lifting himself up in pride, said, I will become king; and he made ready his carriages of war and his horsemen, with fifty runners to go before him.

⁶ Now all his life his father had never gone against him or said to him, Why have you done so? and he was a very good-looking man, and younger than Absalom.

⁷ And he had talk with Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest; and they were on his side and gave him their support.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei, and David's men of war did not take the side of Adonijah.

⁹ Then Adonijah put to death sheep and oxen and fat beasts by the stone of Zoheleth, by En-rogel; and he sent for all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants, to come to him:

¹⁰ But he did not send for Nathan the prophet and Benaiah and the other men of war and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan said to Bath-sheba, the mother of Solomon, Has it not come to your ears that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has made himself king without the knowledge of David our lord?

¹² So now, let me make a suggestion, so that you may keep your life safe and the life of your son Solomon.

¹³ Come now, go to King David and say to him, Did you not, O my lord, take an oath to me, your servant, saying, Truly Solomon your son will be king after me, seated on the seat of my kingdom? why then is Adonijah acting as king?

¹⁴ And while you are still talking there with the king, see, I will come in after you and say that your story is true.

¹⁵ Then Bath-sheba went into the king's room; now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was waiting on him.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba went down on her face on the earth before the king giving him honour. And he said, What is your desire?

¹⁷ And she said to him, My lord, you took an oath by the Lord your God and gave your word to your servant, saying, Truly, Solomon your son will be king after me, seated on the seat of my kingdom.

¹⁸ And now, see, Adonijah has made himself king without my lord's knowledge;

¹⁹ And has put to death oxen and fat beasts and sheep in great numbers, and has sent for all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the captain of the army; but he has not sent for Solomon your servant.

²⁰ And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to say who is to take the place of my lord the king after him.

²¹ For as things are, it will come about, when my lord the king is sleeping with his fathers, that I and Solomon my son will be made outlaws.

²² And while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ And they said to the king, Here is Nathan the prophet. And when he came in before the king, he went down on his face on the earth.

²⁴ And Nathan said, O my lord king, have you said, Adonijah is to be king after me, seated on the seat of my kingdom?

²⁵ Because today he has gone down and has put to death oxen and fat beasts and sheep in great numbers, and has sent for all the king's sons to come to him, with the captains of the army and Abiathar the priest; and they are feasting before him and crying, Long life to King Adonijah!

²⁶ But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he has not sent for.

²⁷ Has this thing been done by my lord the king, without giving word to your servants who was to be placed on my lord the king's seat after him?

²⁸ Then King David in answer said, Send for Bath-sheba to come to me. And she came in and took her place before the king.

²⁹ And the king took an oath, and said, By the living Lord, who has been my saviour from all my troubles,

³⁰ As I took an oath to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, Certainly Solomon your son will become king after me, seated on my seat in my place; so will I do this day.

³¹ Then Bath-sheba went down on her face on the earth before the king giving him honour, and said, May my lord King David go on living for ever.

³² And King David said, Send for Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ And they sought for a fair damsel throughout the territory of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair; and cherished the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.

⁵ And Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king; and he provided himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not grieved him at any time in saying, Why doest thou so? and he was also a very comely man; and his mother bore him after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest; and they helped Adonijah and followed him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men whom David had, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatted cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and invited all his brethren, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants;

¹⁰ but Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he did not invite.

¹¹ And Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith is king, and David our lord does not know it?

¹² And now, come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in to king David, and say to him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear to thy handmaid saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne? why then does Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bathsheba went in to the king into the chamber; and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered to the king.

¹⁶ And Bathsheba bowed and did obeisance to the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

¹⁷ And she said to him, My lord, thou hast sworn by Jehovah thy God to thy handmaid, saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.

¹⁸ And now behold, Adonijah is king; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not.

¹⁹ And he has sacrificed oxen and fatted cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king and Abiathar the priest and Joab the captain of the host; but Solomon thy servant has he not invited.

²⁰ And thou, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it shall come to pass when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders.

²² And behold, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

²³ And they told the king saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?

²⁵ For he is gone down this day, and has sacrificed oxen and fatted cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited 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!

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, he has not invited.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewn to thy servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king swore, and said, As Jehovah liveth, who has redeemed my soul out of all distress,

³⁰ even as I swore to thee by Jehovah the God of Israel, saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

³¹ And Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ So they sought a beautiful young woman in all the coasts of Israel, and they found Abisag a Sunamitess, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was exceeding beautiful, and she slept with the king: and served him, but the king did not know her.

⁵ And Adonias the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying: I will be king. And he made himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ Neither did his father rebuke him at any time, saying: Why hast thou done this? And he also was very beautiful, the next in birth after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Sarvia, and with Abiathar the priest, who furthered Adonias’s side.

⁸ But Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Rei, and the strength of David’s army was not with Adonias.

⁹ And Adonias having slain rams and calves, and all fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which was near the fountain Rogel, invited all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Juda, the king’s servants:

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Banaias, and all the valiant men, and Solomon his brother, he invited not.

¹¹ And Nathan said to Bethsabee the mother of Solomon: Hast thou not heard that Adonias the son of Haggith reigneth, and our lord David knoweth it not?

¹² Now then come, take my counsel and save thy life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go, and get thee in to king David, and say to him: Didst not thou, my lord O king, swear to me thy handmaid, saying: Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne? why then doth Adonias reign?

¹⁴ And while thou art yet speaking there with the king, I will come in after thee, and will fill up thy words.

¹⁵ So Bethsabee went in to the king into the chamber: now the king was very old, and Abisag the Sunamitess ministered to him.

¹⁶ Bethsabee bowed herself, and worshipped the king. And the king said to her: What is thy will?

¹⁷ She answered and said: My lord, thou didst swear to thy handmaid by the Lord thy God, saying: Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.

¹⁸ And behold now Adonias reigneth, and thou, my lord the king, knowest nothing of it.

¹⁹ He hath killed oxen, and all fat cattle, and many rams, and invited all the king’s sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the general of the army: but Solomon thy servant he invited not.

²⁰ And now, my lord O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldst tell them, who shall sit on thy throne, my lord the king, after thee.

²¹ Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king sleepeth with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

²² As she was yet speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came.

²³ And they told the king, saying: Nathan the prophet is here. And when he was come in before the king, and had worshipped, bowing down to the ground,

²⁴ Nathan said: My lord O king, hast thou said: Let Adonias reign after me, and let him sit upon my throne?

²⁵ Because he is gone down today, 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:

²⁶ But me thy servant, and Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and Solomon thy servant he hath not invited.

²⁷ Is this word come out from my lord the king, and hast thou not told me thy servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ And king David answered and said: Call to me Bethsabee. And when she was come in to the king, and stood before him,

²⁹ The king swore and said: As the Lord liveth, who hath delivered my soul out of all distress,

³⁰ Even as I swore to thee by the Lord the God of Israel, saying: Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead, so will I do this day.

³¹ And Bethsabee bowing with her face to the earth worshipped the king, saying: May my lord David live for ever.

³² King David also said: Call me Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Banaias the son of Joiada. And when they were come in before the king,

³ So they searched the whole country of Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag from the town of Shunem and took her to the king.

⁴ She was very beautiful, and she looked after the king, attending to his needs, but he did not have sex with her.

⁵ Adonijah, son of Haggith, was busy promoting himself, saying “I'm going to be king!” He arranged chariots and horsemen for himself, and fifty men to run ahead of him.

⁶ (Never in his life had his father corrected him. He'd never asked him, “Why did you do that?” He was also very good-looking, and had been born after Absalom.)

⁷ Adonijah discussed his plan with Joab, son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, who agreed to support him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's bodyguard were not on Adonijah's side.

⁹ Adonijah invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and the king's officials of Judah, to come to the stone of Zoheleth, which is near En-rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves.

¹⁰ But he didn't invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, David's bodyguard, or his brother Solomon.

¹¹ Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked her, “Haven't you heard that Adonijah, son of Haggith, has become king, and His Majesty King David doesn't even know?

¹² Let me give you some advice so you can save your life, and that of your son Solomon.

¹³ Go immediately to King David and ask him, ‘Didn't Your Majesty swear to me, your servant, saying, Your son Solomon will definitely be king after me and will sit on my throne? So why is Adonijah saying he's king?’

¹⁴ Then I'll come in while you're still there talking with the king and I'll confirm what you're saying.”

¹⁵ So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old and Abishag was looking after him.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed low in respect. He asked her, “What is it that you want?”

¹⁷ She replied, “Your Majesty, you swore to me, your servant, by the Lord your God, ‘Your son Solomon will definitely be king after me and will sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ But now Adonijah has become king and Your Majesty doesn't even know.

¹⁹ He has sacrificed plenty of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the army commander. But he didn't invite your servant Solomon.

²⁰ Now, Your Majesty, everyone in Israel is watching to see who you're going to say will be the next king.

²¹ If you don't do anything, as soon as Your Majesty dies, I and my son Solomon will be considered traitors…”

²² Right then, while she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

²³ The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” Nathan went in to see the king. He bowed down with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan asked the king, “Your Majesty, you must have announced, ‘Adonijah will be king after me and will sit on my throne.’

²⁵ For today he has gone and sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king's sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him, shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

²⁶ But he didn't invite me, your servant, or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, or your son Solomon.

²⁷ If Your Majesty did this, you certainly didn't inform your officials as to who is meant to sit on your throne as the next king.”

²⁸ King David replied, “Call Bathsheba for me.” Bathsheba came in and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king swore a vow, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has saved me from all kinds of trouble, just as I swore to you previously by the Lord the God of Israel,

³⁰ telling you Solomon your son will be the next king and he will sit on my throne instead of me—I swear I will do this today.”

³¹ Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, honoring the king and said, “May Your Majesty King David live forever.”

³² Then King David said, “Call for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada.” When they arrived,

³ So they sought for a faire young maide thoroughout all the coastes of Israel, and founde one Abishag a Shunamite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the maid was exceeding faire, and cherished the king, and ministred to him, but the King knew her not.

⁵ Then Adoniiah the sonne of Haggith exalted himselfe, saying, I will be king. And he gate him charets and horsemen, and fiftie men to run before him.

⁶ And his father would not displease him from his childehood, to say, Why hast thou done so? And hee was a very goodly man, and his mother bare him next after Absalom.

⁷ And he tooke counsel of Ioab the sonne of Zeruiah, and of Abiathar the Priest: and they helped forward Adoniiah.

⁸ But Zadok the Priest, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and Nathan the Prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the men of might, which were with Dauid, were not with Adoniiah.

⁹ Then Adoniiah sacrificed sheepe and oxen, and fat cattel by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the kings sonnes, and al the men of Iudah ye Kings seruants,

¹⁰ But Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah, and the mightie men, and Salomon his brother hee called not.

¹¹ Wherefore Nathan spake vnto Bath-sheba the mother of Salomon, saying, Hast thou not heard, that Adoniiah ye sonne of Haggith doeth reigne, and Dauid our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, and I will now giue thee counsell, howe to saue thine owne life, and the life of thy sonne Salomon.

¹³ Go, and get thee in vnto King Dauid, and say vnto him, Didest not thou, my lorde, O King, sweare vnto thine handmaide, saying, Assuredly Salomon thy sonne shall reigne after me, and he shall sit vpon my throne? why is then Adoniiah King?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the King, I also will come in after thee, and confirme thy wordes.

¹⁵ So Bath-sheba went in vnto the King into the chamber, and the King was verie olde, and Abishag the Shunammite ministred vnto ye King.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed and made obeisance vnto the King. And the King saide, What is thy matter?

¹⁷ And shee answered him, My lorde, thou swarest by the Lord thy God vnto thine handmaide, saying, Assuredly Salomon thy sonne shall reigne after me, and he shall sit vpon my throne.

¹⁸ And beholde, nowe is Adoniiah king, and now, my lord, O King, thou knowest it not.

¹⁹ And he hath offred many oxen, and fatte cattel, and sheepe, and hath called all the sonnes of the King, and Abiathar the Priest, and Ioab the captaine of the hoste: but Salomon thy seruant hath he not bidden.

²⁰ And thou, my lorde, O King, knowest that the eyes of all Israel are on thee, that thou shouldest tell them, who shoulde sit on the throne of my lord the King after him.

²¹ For els when my lord the King shall sleepe with his fathers, I and my sonne Salomon shalbe reputed vile.

²² And lo, while she yet talked with the King, Nathan also the Prophet came in.

²³ And they tolde the King, saying, Beholde, Nathan the Prophet. And when he was come in to the King, hee made obeisance before the King vpon his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan saide, My lorde, O King, hast thou said, Adoniiah shall reigne after mee, and he shall sit vpon my throne?

²⁵ For hee is gone downe this day, and hath slaine many oxen, and fat cattel, and sheepe, and hath called al the Kings sonnes, and the captaines of the hoste, and Abiathar the Priest: and behold, they eate and drinke before him, and say, God saue King Adoniiah.

²⁶ But me thy seruant, and Zadok the Priest, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada, and thy seruant Salomon hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the King, and thou hast not shewed it vnto thy seruant, who should sitte on the throne of my lorde the King after him?

²⁸ Then King Dauid answered, and saide, Call me Bath-sheba. And shee came into ye Kings presence, and stoode before the King.

²⁹ And the King sware, saying, As the Lord liueth, who hath redeemed my soule out of all aduersitie,

³⁰ That as I sware vnto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Salomon thy sonne shall reigne after me, and hee shall sit vpon my throne in my place, so will I certainely doe this day.

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed her face to the earth, and did reuerence vnto the King, and said, God saue my lord King Dauid for euer.

³² And King Dauid saide, Call mee Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah the sonne of Iehoiada. And they came before the King.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair; and she became a companion unto the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.

⁵ Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying: 'I will be king'; and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not grieved him all his life in saying: 'Why hast thou done so?' and he was also a very goodly man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest; and they following Adonijah helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men that belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants;

¹⁰ but Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying: 'Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him: Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying: Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.'

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber. — Now the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. —

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed, and prostrated herself unto the king. And the king said: 'What wouldest thou?'

¹⁷ And she said unto him: 'My lord, thou didst swear by the LORD thy God unto thy handmaid: Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not.

¹⁹ And he hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar, the priest, and Joab the captain of the host; but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.'

²² And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying: 'Behold Nathan the prophet.' And when he was come in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said: 'My lord, O king, hast thou said: Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not declared unto thy servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?'

²⁸ Then king David answered and said: 'Call me Bath-sheba.' And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king swore and said: 'As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ verily as I swore unto thee by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying: Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; verily so will I do this day.'

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and prostrated herself to the king, and said: 'Let my lord king David live for ever.'

³² And king David said: 'Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.' And they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:

¹⁰ but Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

¹¹ Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

¹⁷ And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

¹⁹ and he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

²² And lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

³⁰ even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair maiden throughout all the territory of Israel; and they found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the maiden was exceedingly fair; and she became an attendant on the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.

⁵ And Adoniyah the son of Chaggith exalted himself, saying, I shall be king: and he procured himself a chariot and horsemen, and fifty men who ran before him.

⁶ And his father had never grieved him in all his life by saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was of a very goodly form; and his mother had born him after Abshalom.

⁷ And he had conferences with Joab the son of Zeruyah, and with Ebyathar the priest: and they, following Adoniyah, helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benayahu the son of Yehoyada', and Nathan the prophet, and Shim'i, and Re'i, and the mighty men that belonged to David, were not with Adoniyah.

⁹ And Adoniyah slaughtered sheep and oxen and fatted cattle by the stone Zocheleth, which is by 'En-rogel; and he invited all his brothers the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants;

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Benayahu, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he invited not.

¹¹ And Nathan spoke unto Bath-sheba' the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adoniyah the son of Chaggith is become king, and that David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² And now come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thy own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy hand-maid, saying, Assuredly, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and only he shall sit upon my throne? why then is Adoniyah become king?

¹⁴ And, lo, while thou shalt be yet speaking there with the king, I myself will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba' went in unto the king into the chamber, and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering unto the king.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba' bowed, and prostrated herself unto the king: and the king said, What wouldst thou?

¹⁷ And she said unto him, My lord, thou thyself didst swear by the Lord thy God unto thy hand-maid, Assuredly, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and only he shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adoniyah is become king; and now, my lord, O king, thou knowest it not:

¹⁹ And he hath slaughtered oxen and fatted cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath invited all the sons of the king, and Ebyathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but Solomon thy servant hath he not invited.

²⁰ And as for thee, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, to tell them, who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it would come to pass, when my lord the king sleepeth with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon may be counted offenders.

²² And, lo, while she was yet speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying, Behold, here is Nathan the prophet: and when he was come in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou then said, Adoniyah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ For he is gone down this day, and hath slaughtered oxen and fatted cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath invited all the king's sons, and the captains of the army, and Ebyathar the priest: and, behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and they say, Long live king Adoniyah.

²⁶ But as for me, me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benayahu the son of Yehoyada', and thy servant Solomon, hath he not invited.

²⁷ Can it be that this hath been done by order of my lord the king, and thou hast not informed thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then answered king David, and said, Call me Bath-sheba'; and she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king swore and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

³⁰ Even as I have sworn unto thee by the Lord the God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and only he shall sit upon my throne in my stead: even so will I certainly do this day.

³¹ Then did Bath-sheba' bow herself with her face to the earth, and prostrate herself unto the king; and she said, May my lord, the king David, live for ever!

³² And king David said, Call unto me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benayahu the son of Yehoyada'. And they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel out of all the coasts of Israel; and they found Abishag the Shunammite, and they brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was extremely beautiful, and she cherished the king, and ministered to him, but the king knew her not.

⁵ And Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king; and he prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father never at any time checked him, saying, Why hast thou done thus? and he was also very handsome in appearance, and his mother bore him after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed after Adonijah.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men of David, did not follow Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and calves and lambs by the stone of Zoelethi, which was near Rogel: and he called all his brethren, and all the adult men of Judah, servants of the king.

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he did not call.

¹¹ And Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and our lord David knows it not?

¹² And now come, let me, I pray, give thee counsel, and thou shalt rescue thy life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Haste, and go in to King David, and thou shalt speak to him, saying, Hast not thou, my lord, O king, sworn to thy handmaid, saying, Thy son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then does Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ And behold, while thou art still speaking there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and will confirm thy words.

¹⁵ So Bathsheba went in to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king.

¹⁶ And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance to the king; and the king said, What is thy request?

¹⁷ And she said, My lord, thou didst swear by the Lord thy God to thy handmaid, saying, Thy son Solomon shall reign after me, and shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah reigns, and thou, my lord, O king, knowest it not.

¹⁹ And he has sacrificed calves and lambs and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, and Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander-in-chief of the host; but Solomon thy servant he has not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord, O king—the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, to tell them who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ And it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and Solomon my son shall be offenders.

²² And behold, while she was yet talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came. And it was reported to the king,

²³ Behold, Nathan the prophet is here: and he came in to the king’s presence, and did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, didst thou say, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ For he has gone down today, 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 Adonijah.

²⁶ But he has not invited me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Solomon thy servant.

²⁷ Has this matter happened by the authority of my lord the king, and hast thou not made known to thy servant who shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ And King David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba: and she came in before the king, and stood before him.

²⁹ And the king swore, and said, As the Lord lives who redeemed my soul out of all affliction,

³⁰ as I swore to thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead, so will I do this day.

³¹ And Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, and did obeisance to the king, and said, Let my lord King David live forever.

³² And King David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada: and they came in before the king.

³ So they searched for a beautiful girl within all the borders of Israel. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

⁴ The girl was very beautiful. She served the king and took care of him, but the king did not have sexual relations with her.

⁵ At that time, Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run ahead of him.

⁶ His father had never troubled him, saying, “Why have you done this or that?” Adonijah was also a very handsome man, born next after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. They followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David did not follow Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants.

¹⁰ But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and David our master does not know it?

¹² Now therefore let me give you advice, so that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

¹³ Go to King David; say to him, 'My master the king, did you not swear to your servant, saying, “Surely Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?” Why then is Adonijah reigning?'

¹⁴ While you are there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ So Bathsheba went into the king's room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself before the king. Then the king said, “What do you desire?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My master, you swore to your servant by Yahweh your God, saying, 'Surely Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.'

¹⁸ Now, see, Adonijah is king, and you, my master the king, do not know it.

¹⁹ He has sacrificed oxen, fatted calves, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant.

²⁰ As for you, my master the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to tell them who will sit on the throne after you, my master.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my master the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals.”

²² While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ The servants told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” When he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My master the king, have you said, 'Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?'

²⁵ For he has gone down today and sacrificed oxen, fatted calves, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. They are eating and drinking before him, and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'

²⁶ But as for me, your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he has not invited us.

²⁷ Has my master the king done this without telling us, your servants, who should sit on the throne after him?”

²⁸ Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba back to me.” She came into the king's presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king made an oath and said, “As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed me out of all trouble,

³⁰ as I vowed to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place,' I will do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and prostrated herself before the king and said, “May my master King David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;

¹⁰ but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

¹² Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

¹³ Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’

¹⁴ Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Yahweh your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

¹⁹ He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

²⁰ You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

²² Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’

²⁵ 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!’

²⁶ But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

²⁷ Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

²⁸ Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king vowed and said, “As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ most certainly as I swore to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.

³ So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;

¹⁰ but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

¹² Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

¹³ Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’

¹⁴ Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

¹⁹ He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

²⁰ You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

²² Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’

²⁵ 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!’

²⁶ But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

²⁷ Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

²⁸ Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.

³ So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunamite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man ; and his mother bore him after Absalom.

⁷ And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah, helped him .

⁸ But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah slew sheep, and oxen, and fat cattle, by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

¹⁰ But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

¹¹ Wherefore Nathan spoke to Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

¹² Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thy own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

¹³ Go, and enter in to king David, and say to him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear to thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

¹⁴ Behold, while thou art yet talking there with the king, I will also come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

¹⁵ And Bath-sheba went to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunamite ministered to the king.

¹⁶ And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance to the king. And the king said, What wouldst thou?

¹⁷ And she said to him, My lord, thou didst swear by the LORD thy God to thy handmaid, saying , Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

¹⁸ And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

¹⁹ And he hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldst tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

²² And lo, while she was yet talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

²³ And they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

²⁷ Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shown it to thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

²⁹ And the king swore, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

³⁰ Even as I swore to thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

³¹ Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

³² And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

³ So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;

¹⁰ but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

¹² Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

¹³ Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’

¹⁴ Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

¹⁹ He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

²⁰ You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

²² Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’

²⁵ 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!’

²⁶ But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

²⁷ Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

²⁸ Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.

³ So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

⁵ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

⁶ His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.

⁷ He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.

⁸ But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;

¹⁰ but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

¹¹ Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

¹² Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

¹³ Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’

¹⁴ Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

¹⁵ Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

¹⁶ Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

¹⁷ She said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

¹⁸ Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

¹⁹ He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

²⁰ You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

²¹ Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

²² Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

²³ They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

²⁴ Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’

²⁵ 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!’

²⁶ But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

²⁷ Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

²⁸ Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

²⁹ The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

³⁰ most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

³¹ Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

³² King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.

³ Therefore they sought a young waxing virgin, fair in all the coasts of Israel; and they found Abishag of Shunem, and they brought her to the king.

⁴ And the damsel was full fair, and she slept with the king, and ministered to him; forsooth the king knew not her fleshly.

⁵ And Adonijah, the son of Haggith, was raised up, and said, I shall reign. And he made to him a chariot, and knights, and fifty men, that ran before him.

⁶ Neither David, his father, reproved him any time, nor said, Why hast thou done this? But also he was full fair, the second child after Absalom;

⁷ and his word was with Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar, priest, that helped the parts of Adonijah.

⁸ But Zadok, the priest, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan, the prophet, and Shimei, and Cherethites and Pelethites, and all the strength of the host of David, were not with Adonijah.

⁹ Therefore when rams were offered, and calves, and all fat things, beside the stone of Zoheleth, that was nigh the well of Rogel, Adonijah called all his brethren, the sons of the king, and all the men of Judah, servants of the king.

¹⁰ Soothly he called not Nathan, the prophet, and Benaiah, and all the strong men, and Solomon, his brother.

¹¹ And so Nathan said to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, Whether thou hast heard, that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, hath reigned, and our lord David knoweth not this?

¹² Now therefore come thou, take thou counsel of me, and save thy life, and of Solomon, thy son.

¹³ Go thou, and enter to king David, and say thou to him, Whether not thou, my lord the king, hast sworn to me, thine handmaid, and saidest, that Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit in my throne? Why therefore reigneth Adonijah?

¹⁴ And yet while thou shalt speak there with the king, I shall come after thee, and fulfill thy words.

¹⁵ Therefore Bathsheba entered to the king in the closet or bed-place; and the king was full eld, and Abishag of Shunem ministered to him.

¹⁶ And Bathsheba bowed herself, and worshipped or honoured the king; to whom the king said, What wilt thou to thee?

¹⁷ And she answered, and said, My lord the king, thou hast sworn to thine handmaid by thy Lord God, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit in my throne;

¹⁸ and lo! Adonijah hath reigned now, while thou, my lord the king, knowest not;

¹⁹ he hath slain oxen, and all fat things, and full many rams; and he hath called all the sons of the king, also Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the prince of the chivalry; but he called not Solomon, thy servant.

²⁰ Nevertheless, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel behold into thee, that thou show to them, who oweth to sit in thy throne, my lord the king, after thee;

²¹ and it shall be, when my lord the king hath slept with his fathers, I and my son Solomon shall be reckoned as sinners, that is, Adonijah shall put on us crimes, to deprive us from life.

²² While she spake yet with the king, Nathan, the prophet, came.

²³ And they told to the king, and said, Nathan, the prophet, is present. And when he had entered in the sight of the king, and had worshipped him lowly to the earth,

²⁴ Nathan said, My lord the king, saidest thou, Adonijah reign after me, and sit he on my throne?

²⁵ For he came down today, and offered oxen, and fat things, and full many wethers; and he called all the sons of the king, and the princes of the host, and also Abiathar, the priest; and when they ate, and drank before him, and said, King Adonijah live;

²⁶ he called not me, thy servant, and Zadok, the priest, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and Solomon, thy son.

²⁷ Whether this word went out from my lord the king, and thou showedest not to me, thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

²⁸ And king David answered, and said, Call ye Bathsheba to me. And when she had entered before the king, and had stood before him,

²⁹ the king swore, and said, The Lord liveth, that hath delivered my life from all anguish;

³⁰ for as I swore to thee by the Lord God of Israel, and said, Solomon, thy son, shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne for me, so I shall do today.

³¹ And Bathsheba, with her cheer bowed down into the earth, worship-ped the king, and said, My lord king David live without end.

³² And king David said, Call ye Zadok, the priest, to me, and Nathan, the prophet, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada. And when they had entered before the king,

³ Therefore they sought a young waxing virgin, fair in all the coasts of Israel; and they found Abishag of Shunem, and they brought her to the king. (And so they searched for a young, beautiful virgin in all the coasts of Israel; and they found Abishag of Shunem, and they brought her to the king.)

⁴ And the damsel was full fair, and she slept with the king, and ministered to him; forsooth the king knew not her fleshly. (And the young woman was very beautiful, and she slept with the king, and ministered to him; but the king did not know her fleshly.)

⁵ And Adonijah, the son of Haggith, was raised up, and said, I shall reign. And he made to him a chariot, and knights, and fifty men, that ran before him, (or And he got himself a chariot, and horsemen or and horses, and fifty men who ran before him).

⁶ Neither David, his father, reproved him any time, nor said, Why hast thou done this? But also he was full fair, the second child after Absalom; (And David, his father, did not rebuke him at any time, nor said to him, Why hast thou done this? And he was very handsome, and the second child after Absalom;)

⁷ and his word was with Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar, priest, that helped the parts of Adonijah. (and he talked with Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar, the priest, and they supported Adonijah.)

⁸ But Zadok, the priest, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan, the prophet, and Shimei, and (the) Cherethites and Pelethites, and all the strength of the host of David, were not with Adonijah. (But Zadok, the priest, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan, the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and all the strong men who were David’s bodyguards, were not with Adonijah.)

⁹ Therefore when rams were offered, and calves, and all fat things, beside the stone of Zoheleth, that was nigh the well of Rogel, (or And when rams, and calves, and all the fat things, were offered beside the stone of Zoheleth, that was near Enrogel), Adonijah called all his brethren, the sons of the king, and all the men of Judah, (the) servants of the king.

¹⁰ Soothly he called not Nathan, the prophet, and Benaiah, and all the strong men, and Solomon, his brother.

¹¹ And so Nathan said to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, Whether thou hast heard, that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, hath reigned, and our lord David knoweth not this? (And so Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, Hast thou heard, that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, hath made himself king, and our lord David knoweth it not?)

¹² Now therefore come thou, take thou counsel of me, and save thy life, and (the life) of Solomon, thy son.

¹³ Go thou, and enter to king David, and say thou to him, Whether not thou, my lord the king, hast sworn to me, thine handmaid, and saidest, that Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit in my throne? (or and that he shall sit on my throne?) Why therefore reigneth Adonijah?

¹⁴ And yet while thou shalt speak there with the king, I shall come after thee, and fulfill thy words (or and confirm thy words).

¹⁵ Therefore Bathsheba entered to the king in the (bed-)closet/in the bed place; and the king was full eld, and Abishag of Shunem ministered to him.

¹⁶ And Bathsheba bowed herself, and worshipped the king; to whom the king said, What wilt thou to thee? (And Bathsheba bowed herself down, and honoured the king; to whom the king said, What wilt thou that I do for thee?)

¹⁷ And she answered, and said, My lord the king, thou hast sworn to thine handmaid by thy Lord God, (and said), Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit in my throne (or and he shall sit on my throne);

¹⁸ and lo! Adonijah hath reigned now, (or and behold! Adonijah hath made himself king now), while thou, my lord the king, knowest (it) not;

¹⁹ (and) he hath slain oxen, and all fat things, and full many rams; and he hath called all the sons of the king, also Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the prince of the chivalry (or the leader of the cavalry, or of the army); but he called not Solomon, thy servant.

²⁰ Nevertheless, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel behold into thee, that thou show to them, who oughteth to sit in thy throne, my lord the king, after thee; (Now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel look to thee, for thou to tell them, who ought to sit on thy throne, my lord the king, after thee;)

²¹ and it shall be, (that) when my lord the king hath slept with his fathers, I and my son Solomon shall be (reckoned as) sinners, that is, Adonijah shall put on us crimes, to deprive us from life. (or else it shall be, that when my lord the king sleepeth with his forefathers, that is, when he dieth, I and my son Solomon shall be reckoned as sinners, that is, Adonijah shall put crimes upon us to deprive us of life.)

²² While she spake yet with the king, Nathan, the prophet, came. (Yet while she spoke with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.)

²³ And they told to the king, and said, Nathan, the prophet, is present. And when he had entered in the sight of the king, and had worshipped him lowly to the earth (or and had bowed low to the ground before him),

²⁴ Nathan said, My lord the king, saidest thou, Adonijah reign after me, and sit he on my throne? (Nathan said, My lord the king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?)

²⁵ For he came down today, and offered oxen, and fat things, and full many wethers; and he called all the sons of the king, and the prince(s) of the host, and also Abiathar, the priest; and when they ate, and drank before him, and said, King Adonijah live, (or and when they ate, and drank before him, they said, Long live King Adonijah!);

²⁶ (but) he called not me, thy servant, and Zadok, the priest, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and Solomon, thy son.

²⁷ Whether this word went out from my lord the king, and thou showedest not to me, thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him? (Did this word go out from my lord the king, but thou hast not told me, thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?)

²⁸ And king David answered, and said, Call ye Bathsheba to me. And when she had entered before the king, and had stood before him,

²⁹ the king swore, and said, The Lord liveth, that hath delivered my life from all anguish; (the king swore, and said, As the Lord liveth, who hath delivered my life from all anguish;)

³⁰ for as I swore to thee by the Lord God of Israel, and said, Solomon, thy son, shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne for me, so I shall do today (or so I shall make this happen today).

³¹ And Bathsheba, with her cheer bowed down into the earth, worshipped the king, and said, My lord king David live without end. (And Bathsheba, with her face bowed down to the ground, honoured the king, and said, My lord King David, may thou live forever!)

³² And king David said, Call ye Zadok, the priest, to me, and Nathan, the prophet, and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada. And when they had entered before the king,

³ And they seek a fair young woman in all the border of Israel, and find Abishag the Shunammite, and bring her in to the king,

⁴ and the young woman is very very fair, and she is to the king a companion, and serveth him, and the king hath not known her.

⁵ And Adonijah son of Haggith is lifting himself up, saying, 'I do reign;' and he prepareth for himself a chariot and horsemen, and fifty men running before him,

⁶ and his father hath not grieved him all his days, saying, 'Wherefore thus hast thou done?' and he also is of a very good form, and his mother bare him after Absalom.

⁷ And his words are with Joab son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, and they help after Adonijah;

⁸ and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty ones whom David hath, have not been with Adonijah.

⁹ And Adonijah sacrificeth sheep and oxen and fatlings near the stone of Zoheleth, that is by En-Rogel, and calleth all his brethren, sons of the king, and for all the men of Judah, servants of the king;

¹⁰ and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty ones, and Solomon his brother, he hath not called.

¹¹ And Nathan speaketh unto Bath-Sheba, mother of Solomon, saying, 'Hast thou not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith hath reigned, and our lord David hath not known?

¹² and now, come, let me counsel thee, I pray thee, and deliver thy life, and the life of thy son Solomon;

¹³ go and enter in unto king David, and thou hast said unto him, Hast thou not, my lord, O king, sworn to thy handmaid, saying, Surely Solomon thy son doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne? and wherefore hath Adonijah reigned?

¹⁴ Lo, thou are yet speaking there with the king, and I come in after thee, and have completed thy words.'

¹⁵ And Bath-Sheba cometh in unto the king, to the inner chamber, and the king is very aged, and Abishag the Shunammite is serving the king:

¹⁶ and Bath-Sheba boweth and doth obeisance to the king, and the king saith, 'What — to thee?'

¹⁷ And she saith to him, 'My lord, thou hast sworn by Jehovah thy God to thy handmaid: Surely Solomon thy son doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne;

¹⁸ and now, lo, Adonijah hath reigned, and now, my lord, O king, thou hast not known;

¹⁹ and he sacrificeth ox, and fatling, and sheep in abundance, and calleth for all the sons of the king, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab head of the host — and for Solomon thy servant he hath not called.

²⁰ And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on thee, to declare to them who doth sit on the throne of my lord the king after him;

²¹ and it hath been, when my lord the king lieth with his fathers, that I have been, I and my son Solomon — reckoned sinners.'

²² And lo, she is yet speaking with the king, and Nathan the prophet hath come in;

²³ and they declare to the king, saying, 'Lo, Nathan the prophet;' and he cometh in before the king, and boweth himself to the king, on his face to the earth.

²⁴ And Nathan saith, 'My lord, O king, thou hast said, Adonijah doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne;

²⁵ 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!

²⁶ 'And for me — me, thy servant, and for Zadok the priest, and for Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, and for Solomon thy servant, he hath not called;

²⁷ if from my lord the king this thing hath been, then thou hast not caused thy servant to know who doth sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.'

²⁸ And king David answereth and saith, 'Call for me for Bath-Sheba;' and she cometh in before the king, and standeth before the king.

²⁹ And the king sweareth and saith, 'Jehovah liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity;

³⁰ surely as I sware to thee by Jehovah, God of Israel, saying, Surely Solomon thy son doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne in my stead; surely so I do this day.'

³¹ And Bath-Sheba boweth — face to the earth — and doth obeisance to the king, and saith, 'Let my lord, king David, live to the age.'

³² And king David saith, 'Call for me for Zadok the priest, and for Nathan the prophet, and for Benaiah son of Jehoiada;' and they come in before the king.