1 Kings 1

Who Is Going to Sit on the Throne,

1 King David was old and cold. No matter how many blankets they threw on him, he could not get warm.

2 His servants said, “Let us find a young woman to lay next to the king and keep him warm.”

3 So they searched across the land and found a fine woman named Abishag from Shunem.

4 She was beautiful. They brought her to the king, and she served him, but David did not sleep with her.

Adonijah Starts Plotting

5 Now Adonijah, David’s son (same swag as his brother Absalom), started flexing. He said, “I am going to be king.” He got chariots, horses, and 50 men to run in front of him.

6 David never checked him, never told him “No” or corrected him. And Adonijah was fine and well-liked, born after Absalom.

7 He linked up with Joab (David’s general) and Abiathar the priest, both had his back.

8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s real crew did not rock with Adonijah.

9 Adonijah threw a big party near the stone of Zoheleth. He sacrificed animals and invited all his brothers and the royal officials, except Solomon and his crew.

Nathan Makes a Move

10 He did not invite Nathan, Benaiah, or Solomon.

11 Nathan told Bathsheba (Solomon’s mom), “You heard Adonijah declared himself king, and David do not know it?”

12 “Let me give you some advice, if you want to save your life and your son Solomon’s, listen close.”

13 “Go to David and say, ‘Did you not promise me Solomon would be king after you?’ Ask him why Adonijah sitting on the throne now.”

14 “While you are talking, I will slide in and confirm the story.”

Bathsheba Steps In

15 Bathsheba went in to the king, who was very old. Abishag was still serving him.

16 She bowed down. David said, “What is on your heart?”

17 She said, “My lord, you promised by the Lord your God that Solomon would rule after you.”

18 “But now Adonijah declared himself king, and you do not even know it!”

19 “He is throwing parties, sacrificing animals, and invited your other sons, Joab, and Abiathar, but not Solomon.”

20 “All Israel waiting on you to name the next king.”

21 “If you do not, me and Solomon will be treated like enemies once you are gone.”

Nathan Comes In

22 While she was still speaking, Nathan came in.

23 They told the king, “Nathan is here.” He bowed to the king, face to the ground.

24 Nathan said, “My lord, did you say Adonijah would be king after you, Did you approve this?”

25 “He is out there partying, sacrifices, food, and drink. Everybody is shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’”

26 “But he did not invite me, Zadok, Benaiah, or Solomon.”

27 “Did you approve this and just not tell your loyal servants?”

David Makes It Official

28 David said, “Call Bathsheba back.” She came and stood before him.

29 The king swore, “As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued me from every storm.

30 I swear today: Solomon will sit on this throne. I will make it happen now.”

31 Bathsheba bowed and said, “May my lord the king live forever.”

Solomon Crowned King

32 David said, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah.” They came through.

33 He said, “Take my mule, put Solomon on it, and ride him to Gihon.”

34 “Zadok and Nathan will anoint him king there. Blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’”

35 “Then bring him back here to sit on my throne, he is king now. I appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 Benaiah said, “Amen! May the Lord back this move like He backed you, David!”

37 “May Solomon’s reign be even greater than yours.”

38 So Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and David’s guards put Solomon on the mule and took him to Gihon.

39 Zadok took the oil horn from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet, and the people shouted loud, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 The crowd lit up the city with celebration, music, shouting, and joy. The ground shook.

Adonijah’s Party Gets Shut Down

41 Adonijah and his crew heard the noise mid-party. Joab said, “What is all this hype in the city?”

42 As he spoke, Jonathan (Abiathar’s son) came in. Adonijah said, “You must got good news.”

43 Jonathan said, “Nope. David just made Solomon king.”

44 “He sent Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the guards with him. Solomon rode the king’s mule.”

45 “They anointed him king at Gihon, and now the whole city is going crazy. That is the noise you hear.”

46 “Solomon’s sitting on the royal throne.”

47 “David even bowed down on his bed and praised God for letting his eyes see his son on the throne.”

48 He said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who gave me a son to sit on my throne today!’”

Adonijah Panics

49 Everybody with Adonijah got up and dipped, the party was over.

50 Adonijah was scared. He ran to the altar and grabbed the horns, begging for mercy.

51 Someone told Solomon, “Adonijah’s holding the altar, beggin, ‘Do not kill me, king!’”

52 Solomon said, “If he stays clean, not a hair on his head will fall. But if he crosses a line, he has done.”

53 So Solomon had him brought in. Adonijah bowed low, and Solomon said, “Go home.”