nsb - 1Kings:1:1-27

nsb@1Kings:1:1 @ Now King David was old and advanced in years. They put covers over him but he could not get warm.

nsb@1Kings:1:2 @ His servants said to him: »Your Majesty let us find a young woman to stay with you and take care of you. She will lie close to you and keep you warm.«

nsb@1Kings:1:3 @ They searched all over Israel for a beautiful young woman, and in Shunem they found such a woman named Abishag, and brought her to the king.

nsb@1Kings:1:4 @ She was very beautiful. She waited on the king and took care of him. However, he did not have intercourse with her.

nsb@1Kings:1:5 @ Adonijah, son of Haggith, was very handsome. His mother gave birth to him after Maacah had Absalom. Adonijah boasted about himself, saying, »I will be king.« He got a chariot and horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.

nsb@1Kings:1:6 @ His father never confronted him by asking: »Why have you done this?«

nsb@1Kings:1:7 @ But Adonijah had discussed his actions with Joab and with the priest Abiathar, so they supported him.

nsb@1Kings:1:8 @ But the priest Zadok, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the prophet Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and David's thirty special guards did not join Adonijah.

nsb@1Kings:1:9 @ Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves at Zoheleth Rock near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's other sons, all the men of Judah, and the king's officials.

nsb@1Kings:1:10 @ But he did not invite the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, the special guard or his brother Solomon.

nsb@1Kings:1:11 @ Then Nathan asked Solomon's mother Bathsheba: »Have you heard that Adonijah, Haggith's son, has become king, and our master David does not even know about it?

nsb@1Kings:1:12 @ »Bathsheba, let me give you some advice about how to save your life and your son's life.

nsb@1Kings:1:13 @ »Go now to King David and ask him: Your Majesty, did you solemnly promise me that my son Solomon would succeed you as king? How is it that Adonijah has become king?

nsb@1Kings:1:14 @ Nathan added: »While you are still talking with King David, I will come in and confirm your story.«

nsb@1Kings:1:15 @ So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, was taking care of him.

nsb@1Kings:1:16 @ Bathsheba bowed low before the king. He asked: »What do you want?«

nsb@1Kings:1:17 @ She answered: »Your Majesty, you made me a solemn promise in the name of Jehovah your God that my son Solomon would be king after you.

nsb@1Kings:1:18 @ »Adonijah has already become king. You do not know anything about it.

nsb@1Kings:1:19 @ »He has offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited your sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of your army to the feast. However he did not invite your son Solomon.

nsb@1Kings:1:20 @ »Your Majesty. The people of Israel want you to tell them who is to succeed you as king.

nsb@1Kings:1:21 @ »If you do not my son Solomon and I will be treated as traitors when you die.«

nsb@1Kings:1:22 @ Nathan arrived at the palace while she spoke.

nsb@1Kings:1:23 @ The king was told that the prophet was there. Nathan went in and bowed low before the king.

nsb@1Kings:1:24 @ Nathan said: »Your Majesty. Did you announce that Adonijah would succeed you as king?

nsb@1Kings:1:25 @ »This very day he has gone and offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited all your sons, Joab the commander of your army, and Abiathar the priest, and right now they are feasting with him and shouting: Long live King Adonijah!

nsb@1Kings:1:26 @ »But he did not invite Zadok the priest or Benaiah or Solomon or me.

nsb@1Kings:1:27 @ »Did Your Majesty approve all this and not even tell your officials who is to succeed you as king?«