Parallel Bible results for "1 kings 1"

1 Kings 1

New Living Translation NLT

1 King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.

2 So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.”

3 So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.

4 The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.

5 About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him.

6 Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.

7 Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king.

8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.

9 Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En-rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers—the other sons of King David—and all the royal officials of Judah.

10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king’s bodyguard or his brother Solomon.

11 Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it?

12 If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice.

13 Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

14 And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”

15 So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)

16 Bathsheba bowed down before the king. “What can I do for you?” he asked her.

17 She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the LORD your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’

18 But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it.

19 He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.

20 And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.

21 If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.”

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

23 The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.” Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.

24 Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne?

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

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

27 Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?”

28 King David responded, “Call Bathsheba!” So she came back in and stood before the king.

29 And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has rescued me from every danger,

30 your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the LORD, the God of Israel.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, “May my lord King David live forever!”

32 Then King David ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came into the king’s presence,

33 the king said to them, “Take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule.

34 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram’s horn and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

35 Then escort him back here, and he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 “Amen!” Benaiah son of Jehoiada replied. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen.

37 And may the LORD be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!”

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule.

39 There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram’s horn and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound.

41 Adonijah and his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of the ram’s horn, he asked, “What’s going on? Why is the city in such an uproar?”

42 And while he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” Adonijah said to him, “for you are a good man. You must have good news.”

43 “Not at all!” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has just declared Solomon king!

44 The king sent him down to Gihon Spring with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, protected by the king’s bodyguard. They had him ride on the king’s own mule,

45 and Zadok and Nathan have anointed him at Gihon Spring as the new king. They have just returned, and the whole city is celebrating and rejoicing. That’s what all the noise is about.

46 What’s more, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king.

47 And all the royal officials have gone to King David and congratulated him, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s fame even greater than your own, and may Solomon’s reign be even greater than yours!’ Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed,

48 and he said, ‘Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.’”

49 Then all of Adonijah’s guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered.

50 Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on to the horns of the altar.

51 Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, “Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!”

52 Solomon replied, “If he proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched. But if he makes trouble, he will die.”

53 So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, “Go on home.”

The Message Bible MSG

1 King David grew old. The years had caught up with him. Even though they piled blankets on him, he couldn't keep warm.

2 So his servants said to him, "We're going to get a young virgin for our master the king to be at his side and look after him; she'll get in bed with you and arouse our master the king."

3 So they searched the country of Israel for the most ravishing girl they could find; they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

4 The girl was stunningly beautiful; she stayed at his side and looked after the king, but the king did not have sex with her.

5 At this time Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, puffed himself up saying, "I'm the next king!" He made quite a splash, with chariots and riders and fifty men to run ahead of him.

6 His father had spoiled him rotten as a child, never once reprimanding him. Besides that, he was very good-looking and the next in line after Absalom.

7 Adonijah talked with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they threw their weight on his side.

8 But neither the priest Zadok, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor Nathan the prophet, nor Shimei and Rei, nor David's personal bodyguards supported Adonijah.

9 Next Adonijah held a coronation feast, sacrificing sheep, cattle, and grain-fed heifers at the Stone of Zoheleth near the Rogel Spring. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and everyone in Judah who had position and influence -

10 but he did not invite the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, the bodyguards, or his brother Solomon.

11 Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Did you know that Adonijah, Haggith's son, has taken over as king, and our master David doesn't know a thing about it?

12 Quickly now, let me tell you how you can save both your own life and Solomon's.

13 Go immediately to King David. Speak up: 'Didn't you, my master the king, promise me, "Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne"? So why is Adonijah now king?'

14 While you're there talking with the king, I'll come in and corroborate your story."

15 Bathsheba went at once to the king in his palace bedroom. He was so old! Abishag was at his side making him comfortable.

16 As Bathsheba bowed low, honoring the king, he said, "What do you want?"

17 "My master," she said, "you promised me in God's name, 'Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne.'

18 And now look what's happened - Adonijah has taken over as king, and my master the king doesn't even know it!

19 He has thrown a huge coronation feast - cattle and grain-fed heifers and sheep - inviting all the king's sons, the priest Abiathar, and Joab head of the army. But your servant Solomon was not invited.

20 My master the king, every eye in Israel is watching you to see what you'll do - to see who will sit on the throne of my master the king after him.

21 If you fail to act, the moment you're buried my son Solomon and I are as good as dead."

22 Abruptly, while she was telling the king all this, Nathan the prophet came in

23 and was announced: "Nathan the prophet is here." He came before the king, honoring him by bowing deeply, his face touching the ground.

24 "My master the king," Nathan began, "did you say, 'Adonijah shall be king after me and sit on my throne'?

25 Because that's what's happening. He's thrown a huge coronation feast - cattle, grain-fed heifers, sheep - inviting all the king's sons, the army officers, and Abiathar the priest. They're having a grand time, eating and drinking and shouting, 'Long live King Adonijah!'

26 But I wasn't invited, nor was the priest Zadok, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.

27 Is this something that my master the king has done behind our backs, not telling your servants who you intended to be king after you?"

28 King David took action: "Get Bathsheba back in here." She entered and stood before the king.

29 The king solemnly promised, "As God lives, the God who delivered me from every kind of trouble,

30 I'll do exactly what I promised in God's name, the God of Israel: Your son Solomon will be king after me and take my place on the throne. And I'll make sure it happens this very day."

31 Bathsheba bowed low, her face to the ground. Kneeling in reverence before the king she said, "Oh, may my master, King David, live forever!"

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

33 Then he ordered, "Gather my servants, then mount my son Solomon on my royal mule and lead him in procession down to Gihon.

34 When you get there, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the ram's horn trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'

35 You will then accompany him as he enters and takes his place on my throne, succeeding me as king. I have named him ruler over Israel and Judah."

36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada backed the king: "Yes! And may God, the God of my master the king, confirm it!

37 Just as God has been with my master the king, may he also be with Solomon and make his rule even greater than that of my master King David!"

38 Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king's personal bodyguard (the Kerethites and Pelethites) went down, mounted Solomon on King David's mule, and paraded with him to Gihon.

39 Zadok the priest brought a flask of oil from the sanctuary and anointed Solomon. They blew the ram's horn trumpet and everyone shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"

40 Everyone joined the fanfare, the band playing and the people singing, the very earth reverberating to the sound.

41 Adonijah and his retinue of guests were just finishing their "coronation" feast when they heard it. When Joab heard the blast of the ram's horn trumpet he said, "What's going on here? What's all this uproar?"

42 Suddenly, in the midst of the questioning, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest, showed up. Adonijah said, "Welcome! A brave and good man like you must have good news."

43 But Jonathan answered, "Hardly! Our master King David has just made Solomon king!

44 And the king has surrounded him with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, with the Kerethites and Pelethites; and they've mounted Solomon on the royal mule.

45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon and the parade is headed up this way singing - a great fanfare! The city is rocking! That's what you're hearing.

46 Here's the crowning touch - Solomon is seated on the throne of the kingdom!

47 And that's not all: The king's servants have come to give their blessing to our master King David saying, 'God make Solomon's name even more honored than yours, and make his rule greater than yours!' On his death bed the king worshiped God

48 and prayed, 'Blessed be God, Israel's God, who has provided a successor to my throne, and I've lived to see it!'"

49 Panicked, Adonijah's guests got out of there, scattering every which way.

50 But Adonijah himself, afraid for his life because of Solomon, fled to the sanctuary and grabbed the horns of the Altar.

51 Solomon was told, "Adonijah, fearful of King Solomon, has taken sanctuary and seized the horns of the Altar and is saying, 'I'm not leaving until King Solomon promises that he won't kill me.'"

52 Solomon then said, "If he proves to be a man of honor, not a hair of his head will be hurt; but if there is evil in him, he'll die."

53 Solomon summoned him and they brought him from the Altar. Adonijah came and bowed down, honoring the king. Solomon dismissed him, "Go home."