Adonijah sets himself up as king
1When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. 2So his attendants said to him, ‘Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.’
3Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her.
5Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, ‘I will be king.’ So he got chariots and horses1:5 Or charioteers ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. 6(His father had never rebuked him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?’ He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)
7Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. 8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah.
9Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves 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 did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.
11Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, ‘Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? 12Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13Go in to King David and say to him, “My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: ‘Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne’? Why then has Adonijah become king?” 14While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said.’
15So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him. 16Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king.
‘What is it you want?’ the king asked.
17She said to him, ‘My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: “Solomon your son shall become king after me, and he will sit on my throne.” 18But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. 19He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. 20My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals.’
22While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23And the king was told, ‘Nathan the prophet is here.’ So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground.
24Nathan said, ‘Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? 25Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. At this very moment they are eating and drinking with him and saying, “Long live King Adonijah!” 26But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. 27Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?’
David makes Solomon king
28Then King David said, ‘Call in Bathsheba.’ So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.
29The king then took an oath: ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, 30I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.’
31Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground, prostrating herself before the king, and said, ‘May my lord King David live for ever!’
32King David said, ‘Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.’ When they came before the king, 33he said to them: ‘Take your lord’s servants with you and put Solomon my son on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. 34There shall Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, “Long live King Solomon!” 35Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.’
36Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, ‘Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. 37As the Lord was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!’
38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and put Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. 39Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 40And all the people went up after him, playing pipes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound.
41Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, ‘What’s the meaning of all the noise in the city?’
42Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, ‘Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news.’
43‘Not at all!’ Jonathan answered. ‘Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king’s mule, 45and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds with it. That’s the noise you hear. 46Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. 47Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, “May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!” And the king bowed in worship on his bed 48and said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.” ’
49At this, all Adonijah’s guests rose in alarm and dispersed. 50But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 51Then Solomon was told, ‘Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, “Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.” ’
52Solomon replied, ‘If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.’ 53Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, ‘Go to your 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.”
