Adonijah Makes Himself King
1King David was now very old. He couldn’t keep warm even when blankets were spread over him. 2So his attendants spoke to him. They said, “You are our king and master. Please let us try to find a young virgin to serve you. She can take care of you. She can lie down beside you to keep you warm.”
3So David’s attendants looked all over Israel for a beautiful young woman. They found Abishag. She was from the town of Shunem. They brought her to the king. 4The woman was very beautiful. She took care of the king and served him. But the king didn’t have sex with her.
5Adonijah was the son of David and his wife Haggith. He came forward and announced, “I’m going to be the next king.” So he got chariots and horses ready. He also got 50 men to run in front of him. 6His father had never tried to stop him from doing what he wanted to. His father had never asked him, “Why are you acting the way you do?” Adonijah was also very handsome. Now that Absalom was dead, Adonijah was David’s oldest son.
7Adonijah talked things over with Joab, the son of Zeruiah. He also talked with Abiathar the priest. They agreed to help him. 8But Zadok the priest and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, didn’t join Adonijah. Nathan the prophet didn’t join him. Shimei and Rei didn’t join him. And neither did David’s special guard.
9Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle and fat calves. He sacrificed them at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah. 10But he didn’t invite Benaiah or Nathan the prophet. He didn’t invite the special guard or his brother Solomon either.
11Nathan asked Solomon’s mother Bathsheba, “Haven’t you heard? Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has made himself king. And King David doesn’t know anything about it. 12So let me tell you what to do to save your life. It will also save the life of your son Solomon. 13Go in and see King David. Say to him, ‘You are my king and master. You promised me, “You can be sure that your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne.” If that’s really true, why has Adonijah become king?’ 14While you are still talking to the king, I’ll come in and support what you have said.”
15So Bathsheba went to see the old king in his room. Abishag, the Shunammite, was taking care of him there. 16Bathsheba bowed low in front of the king.
“What do you want?” the king asked.
17She said to him, “My master, you made a promise in the name of the Lord your God. You promised me, ‘Your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne.’ 18But now Adonijah has made himself king. And you don’t even know about it. 19He has sacrificed large numbers of cattle, fat calves and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons. He has also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he hasn’t invited your son Solomon. 20You are my king and master. All the Israelites are watching to see what you will do. They want to find out from you who will sit on the throne after you. 21If you don’t do something, I and my son Solomon will be treated like people who have committed crimes. That will happen as soon as you join the members of your family who have already died.”
22While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So Nathan went to the king. He bowed down with his face toward the ground.
24Nathan said, “You are my king and master. Have you announced that Adonijah will be king after you? Have you said he will sit on your throne? 25Today he has gone down outside the city. He has sacrificed large numbers of cattle, fat calves and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons. He has also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Even now they are eating and drinking with him. They are saying, ‘May King Adonijah live a long time!’ 26But he didn’t invite me. He didn’t invite Zadok the priest or Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada. He didn’t invite your son Solomon either. 27King David, have you allowed all of that to happen? Did you do it without letting us know about it? Why didn’t you tell us who is going to sit on your throne after you?”
David Makes Solomon King
28King David said, “Tell Bathsheba to come in.” So she came and stood in front of the king.
29Then the king made a promise. He said, “The Lord has saved me from all my troubles. You can be sure that he lives. 30And you can be just as sure I will do what I promised. This is the day I will do what I promised in the name of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. I promised you that your son Solomon would be king after me. He will sit on my throne in my place.”
31Then Bathsheba bowed down in front of the king. Her face was toward the ground. She said, “King David, you are my master. May you live forever!”
32King David said, “Tell Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet to come in. Also tell Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, to come.” So they came to the king. 33He said to them, “Take my officials with you. Have my son Solomon get on my own mule. Take him down to the Gihon spring. 34Have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him as king over Israel there. Blow a trumpet. Shout, ‘May King Solomon live a long time!’ 35Then come back up to the city with him. Have him sit on my throne. He will rule in my place. I’ve appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”
36Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, answered the king. “Amen!” he said. “May the Lord your God make it come true. 37You are my king and master. The Lord has been with you. May he also be with Solomon. King David, may the Lord make Solomon’s kingdom even greater than yours!”
38So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet left the palace. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, went with them. So did the Kerethites and Pelethites. They had Solomon get on King David’s mule. And they brought him down to the Gihon spring. 39Zadok the priest had taken an animal horn from the sacred tent. The horn was filled with olive oil. He anointed Solomon with the oil. A trumpet was blown. All the people shouted, “May King Solomon live a long time!” 40Then they went up toward the city. Solomon was leading the way. The people were playing flutes. They were filled with great joy. The ground shook because of all the noise.
41Adonijah and all his guests heard it. They were just finishing their meal. Joab heard the sound of the trumpet. So he asked, “What does all this noise in the city mean?”
42While Joab was still speaking, Jonathan arrived. Jonathan was the son of Abiathar the priest. Adonijah said, “Come in. I have respect for you. You must be bringing good news.”
43“No! I’m not!” Jonathan answered. “Our master King David has made Solomon king. 44David sent Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet along with Solomon. He also sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, with him. He sent the Kerethites and Pelethites with him too. They put him on the king’s mule. 45They took him down to the Gihon spring. There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him as king. Now they’ve gone back up to the city. They were cheering all the way. The city is filled with the sound of it. That’s the noise you hear. 46And that’s not all. Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. 47The royal officials came to give their blessing to our master King David. They said, ‘May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours! May he make Solomon’s kingdom greater than yours!’ While King David was sitting on his bed, he bowed in worship. 48He said, ‘I praise the Lord. He is the God of Israel. He has let me live to see my son sitting on my throne today as the next king.’ ”
49When all Adonijah’s guests heard that, they were terrified. So they got up and scattered. 50Adonijah was afraid of what Solomon might do to him. So he went and grabbed the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. Those horns stuck out from its upper corners. 51Then Solomon was told, “King Solomon, Adonijah is afraid of you. He’s holding onto the horns of the altar. He says, ‘I want King Solomon to make a promise today. I want him to promise that he won’t kill me with his sword.’ ”
52Solomon replied, “Let him show that he’s a man people can respect. Then not even one hair on his head will fall to the ground. But if I find out he’s done something evil, he will die.” 53King Solomon got some men to bring Adonijah down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon. Solomon said, “Go on home.”
Adoniya Ajitangaza Mfalme
11:1 Yer 29:10-14; Zek 1:12-16; 2Nya 36:22-23; Ezr 5:13; 7:27; Yer 25:12; Law 26:42Mfalme Daudi alipokuwa mzee umri ukiwa umesogea, hakuweza kupata joto hata walipomfunika kwa nguo. 21:2 Amu 4:10; Isa 44:28; Ezr 5:13; Za 72:11Kwa hiyo watumishi wake wakamwambia, “Turuhusu tumtafute kijana mwanamwali bikira amhudumie mfalme na kumtunza. Anaweza kulala pembeni mwake ili bwana wetu mfalme apate joto.”
31:3 Kum 3:24; 2Sam 22:32; Za 86:10; Dan 6:26; 1Kor 8:6; Isa 37:16; Mk 12:32Kisha wakatafuta katika Israeli yote ili kumpata msichana mzuri wa sura na wakampata Abishagi, Mshunami, wakamleta kwa mfalme. 41:4 Isa 10:20-22; Hes 15:3; Za 116:17; Ezr 3:7; 4:3Msichana huyo alikuwa mzuri sana wa sura, akamtunza mfalme na kumhudumia, lakini mfalme hakufanya naye tendo la ndoa.
51:5 2Nya 34:9; Neh 12:34; Hag 1:4; Mit 16:1Basi Adoniya, ambaye mama yake alikuwa Hagithi, akajigamba na kusema, “Mimi nitakuwa mfalme.” Hivyo akajiwekea tayari magari na wapanda farasi, pamoja na watu hamsini wa kumtangulia wakikimbia. 6(Baba yake hakuwa ameingilia na kumuuliza, “Kwa nini unafanya hivyo?” Alikuwa pia kijana mzuri sana wa sura, na alizaliwa baada ya Absalomu.)
71:7 2Fal 24:13; Ezr 5:14; 6:5; 2Nya 36:7; Yer 52:17-19Adoniya akashauriana pamoja na Yoabu mwana wa Seruya na kuhani Abiathari, nao wakamsaidia. 81:8 Ezr 5:14; Hag 1:1; 1Nya 3:18Lakini kuhani Sadoki, Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada, Nathani nabii, Shimei, Rei na walinzi maalum wa Daudi hawakujiunga na Adoniya.
9Ndipo Adoniya akatoa dhabihu ya kondoo, ngʼombe na ndama walionona kwenye Jiwe la Zohelethi karibu na En-Rogeli. Akawaalika ndugu zake wote, wana wa mfalme na wanaume wote wa Yuda waliokuwa maafisa wa mfalme, 10lakini hakumwalika nabii Nathani, Benaya, walinzi maalum wa mfalme, wala ndugu yake Solomoni.
11Ndipo Nathani akamuuliza Bathsheba, mama yake Solomoni, “Je, hujasikia kwamba Adoniya, mwana wa Hagithi, amekuwa mfalme pasipo bwana wetu Daudi kujua jambo hili? 12Sasa basi, acha nikushauri jinsi utakavyookoa uhai wako mwenyewe na uhai wa mwanao Solomoni. 13Ingia kwa Mfalme Daudi na umwambie, ‘Bwana wangu mfalme, je hukuniapia mimi mtumishi wako: “Hakika mwanao Solomoni atakuwa mfalme baada yangu na ndiye atakayeketi juu ya kiti changu cha ufalme”? Kwa nini basi Adoniya amekuwa mfalme?’ 14Utakapokuwa ukizungumza na mfalme, nitaingia na kuthibitisha hayo uliyoyasema.”
15Hivyo Bathsheba akaenda kumwona mfalme chumbani mwake mahali ambapo Abishagi, Mshunami, alikuwa akimhudumia, naye mfalme alikuwa mzee sana. 16Bathsheba akasujudu na kupiga magoti mbele ya mfalme.
Mfalme akauliza, “Ni nini hiki unachotaka?”
17Akamwambia, “Bwana wangu, wewe mwenyewe uliniapia mimi mtumishi wako kwa Bwana Mungu wako kwamba: ‘Solomoni Mwanao atakuwa mfalme baada yangu na ndiye atakayeketi kwenye kiti changu cha ufalme.’ 18Lakini sasa Adoniya amekuwa mfalme, nawe, bwana wangu mfalme huna habari kuhusu jambo hilo. 19Ametoa dhabihu idadi kubwa ya ngʼombe, ndama walionona na kondoo, naye amewaalika wana wa mfalme wote, kuhani Abiathari, na Yoabu jemadari wa jeshi, lakini hakumwalika Solomoni mtumishi wako. 20Bwana wangu mfalme, macho ya Israeli yote yanakutazama wewe wajue kutoka kwako kuwa ni nani atakayeketi katika kiti cha ufalme cha bwana wangu mfalme baada yake. 21Kama sivyo, mara tu bwana wangu mfalme atakapopumzishwa pamoja na baba zake, mimi na mwanangu Solomoni tutatendewa kama wahalifu.”
22Alipokuwa angali anazungumza na mfalme, nabii Nathani akafika. 23Wakamwambia mfalme, “Nabii Nathani yuko hapa.” Kisha akaenda mbele ya mfalme na kumsujudia hadi uso wake ukagusa ardhi.
24Nathani akasema, “Je, bwana wangu mfalme, umetangaza kuwa Adoniya atakuwa mfalme baada yako na kwamba ataketi kwenye kiti chako cha ufalme? 25Leo ameshuka na kutoa dhabihu idadi kubwa ya ngʼombe, ndama walionona na kondoo. Amewaalika wana wote wa mfalme, jemadari wa jeshi na kuhani Abiathari. Sasa hivi, wanakula na kunywa pamoja naye wakisema, ‘Aishi maisha marefu, Mfalme Adoniya!’ 26Lakini mimi mtumishi wako, kuhani Sadoki, Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada na mtumishi wako Solomoni hakutualika. 27Je, hili ni jambo ambalo bwana wangu mfalme amelifanya pasipo kuwajulisha watumishi wake ili wapate kujua ni nani atakayeketi kwenye kiti cha ufalme cha bwana wangu mfalme baada yake?”
Daudi Amfanya Solomoni Kuwa Mfalme
28Ndipo Mfalme Daudi akasema, “Mwite Bathsheba, aingie ndani.” Hivyo akaingia mbele ya mfalme na kusimama mbele yake.
29Ndipo mfalme akaapa: “Hakika kama Bwana aishivyo, ambaye ameniokoa kutoka kila taabu, 30hakika nitatekeleza leo kile nilichokuapia kwa Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli: Mwanao Solomoni atakuwa mfalme baada yangu, naye ataketi kwenye kiti changu cha ufalme baada yangu.”
31Kisha Bathsheba akasujudu akipiga magoti mbele ya mfalme uso wake ukigusa ardhi akasema, “Bwana wangu Mfalme Daudi na aishi milele!”
32Mfalme Daudi akasema, “Mwite kuhani Sadoki ndani, nabii Nathani na Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada.” Walipofika mbele ya mfalme, 33akawaambia: “Wachukueni watumishi wa bwana wenu pamoja nanyi na mkamkalishe mwanangu Solomoni juu ya nyumbu wangu mwenyewe mkamteremshe hadi Gihoni. 34Huko kuhani Sadoki na nabii Nathani wamtie mafuta awe mfalme juu ya Israeli. Pigeni tarumbeta na mpaze sauti, ‘Mfalme Solomoni aishi maisha marefu!’ 35Kisha mtapanda pamoja naye, atakuja na kuketi kwenye kiti changu cha ufalme na kutawala badala yangu. Nimemweka awe mtawala juu ya Israeli na Yuda.”
36Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada akamjibu mfalme, “Amen! Bwana, Mungu wa bwana wangu mfalme, na aseme vivyo hivyo. 37Kama vile Bwana alivyokuwa na bwana wangu mfalme, vivyo hivyo na awe na Solomoni kukifanya kiti chake cha utawala kuwa kikuu kuliko kile cha bwana wangu Mfalme Daudi!”
38Hivyo kuhani Sadoki, nabii Nathani, Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada, Wakerethi na Wapelethi wakampandisha Solomoni juu ya nyumbu wa Mfalme Daudi, nao wakamsindikiza hadi Gihoni. 39Kuhani Sadoki akachukua pembe ya mafuta kutoka kwenye hema takatifu na kumtia Solomoni mafuta. Kisha wakapiga tarumbeta na watu wote wakapaza sauti wakisema, “Mfalme Solomoni aishi maisha marefu!” 40Na watu wote wakakwea wakimfuata, wakipiga filimbi na kushangilia sana, hata ardhi ikatikisika kwa ile sauti.
41Adoniya pamoja na wageni wote waliokuwa pamoja naye wakasikia sauti hiyo walipokuwa wakimalizia karamu yao. Waliposikia sauti ya tarumbeta, Yoabu akauliza, “Nini maana ya makelele yote haya katika mji?”
42Hata alipokuwa anasema, Yonathani mwana wa kuhani Abiathari akafika. Adoniya akasema, “Ingia ndani. Mtu mstahiki kama wewe ni lazima alete habari njema.”
43Yonathani akajibu, “La hasha! Mfalme Daudi bwana wetu amemfanya Solomoni kuwa mfalme. 44Mfalme amemtuma pamoja naye kuhani Sadoki, nabii Nathani, Benaya mwana wa Yehoyada, Wakerethi na Wapelethi, nao wamempandisha juu ya nyumbu wa mfalme, 45nao kuhani Sadoki na nabii Nathani wamemtia mafuta kuwa mfalme huko Gihoni. Kuanzia hapo wameendelea kushangilia na sauti zimeenea pote mjini. Hizo ndizo kelele unazosikia. 46Zaidi ya hayo, Solomoni ameketi juu ya kiti chake cha ufalme. 47Pia, maafisa wa mfalme wamekuja ili kumtakia heri bwana wetu Mfalme Daudi wakisema, ‘Mungu wako na alifanye jina la Solomoni kuwa mashuhuri kuliko lako na kiti chake cha ufalme kiwe na ukuu kuliko chako!’ Naye mfalme akasujudu akiabudu kitandani mwake 48na kusema, ‘Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, ambaye ameruhusu macho yangu kuona mrithi juu ya kiti changu cha ufalme leo hii.’ ”
49Katika hili, wageni wote wa Adoniya wakainuka kwa mshtuko wa hofu na kutawanyika. 50Lakini Adoniya kwa kumwogopa Solomoni, akaenda na kushika pembe za madhabahu. 51Kisha Solomoni akaambiwa, “Adoniya anamwogopa Mfalme Solomoni na ameshikilia pembe za madhabahu. Anasema, ‘Mfalme Solomoni na aniapie leo kwamba hatamuua mtumishi wake kwa upanga.’ ”
52Solomoni akajibu, “Kama akijionyesha kuwa mtu mstahiki, hakuna unywele wake utakaoanguka juu ya ardhi, lakini kama uovu ukionekana ndani yake, atakufa.” 53Ndipo Mfalme Solomoni akawatuma watu, nao wakamshusha kutoka madhabahuni. Naye Adoniya akaja akamwinamia Mfalme Solomoni, naye Solomoni akamwambia, “Nenda nyumbani kwako.”
