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1 Kings 1 CEV
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>1 Kings 1 CEV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/1_kings/1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/1_kings/1-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">CEV</a> > 1 Kings 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../2_samuel/24.htm" title="2 Samuel 24">◄</a> 1 Kings 1 <a href="../1_kings/2.htm" title="1 Kings 2">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Contemporary English Version</div><div class="chap"><h3 class="s1">David in His Old Age</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_1"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.1" class="v11_1_1">1</span>King David was now an old man, and he always felt cold, even under a lot of blankets. </span><span class="v11_1_2"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.2" class="v11_1_2">2</span>His officials said, “Your Majesty, we will look for a young woman to take care of you. She can lie down beside you and keep you warm.” </span><span class="v11_1_3"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.3-1Kgs.1.4" class="v11_1_3">3-4</span>They looked everywhere in Israel until they found a very beautiful young woman named Abishag, who lived in the town of Shunem.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.3-1Kgs.1.4!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> They brought her to David, and she took care of him. But David did not have sex with her.</span></p><h3 class="s1">Adonijah Tries To Become King</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_5"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.5-1Kgs.1.6" class="v11_1_5">5-6</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.5-1Kgs.1.6!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> Adonijah was the son of David and Haggith. He was Absalom's younger brother<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.5-1Kgs.1.6!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> and was very handsome. One day, Adonijah started bragging, “I'm going to make myself king!” So he got some chariots and horses, and he hired 50 men as bodyguards. David did not want to hurt his feelings, so he never asked Adonijah why he was doing these things.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_7"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.7" class="v11_1_7">7</span>Adonijah met with Joab the son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest and asked them if they would help him become king. Both of them agreed to help. </span><span class="v11_1_8"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.8" class="v11_1_8">8</span>But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei,<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.8!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> and David's bodyguards all refused.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_9"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.9" class="v11_1_9">9</span>Adonijah invited his brothers and David's officials from Judah to go with him to Crawling Rock<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.9!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> near Rogel Spring, where he sacrificed some sheep, cattle, and fat calves.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.9!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v11_1_10"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.10" class="v11_1_10">10</span>But he did not invite Nathan, Benaiah, David's bodyguards, or his own brother Solomon.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_11"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.11" class="v11_1_11">11</span><a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.11!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> When Nathan heard what had happened, he asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_11">Have you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has made himself king? But David doesn't know a thing about it. </span><span class="v11_1_12"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.12" class="v11_1_12">12</span>You and your son Solomon will be killed, unless you do what I tell you. </span><span class="v11_1_13"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.13" class="v11_1_13">13</span>Go say to David, “You promised me that Solomon would be the next king. So why is Adonijah now king?”</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_14"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.14" class="v11_1_14">14</span>While you are still talking to David, I'll come in and tell him that everything you said is true.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_15"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.15" class="v11_1_15">15</span>Meanwhile, David was in his bedroom where Abishag was taking care of him because he was so old. Bathsheba went in </span><span class="v11_1_16"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.16" class="v11_1_16">16</span>and bowed down.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_16">“What can I do for you?” David asked.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_17"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.17" class="v11_1_17">17</span>Bathsheba answered:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_17">Your Majesty, you promised me in the name of the <span class="nd">Lord</span> your God that my son Solomon would be the next king. </span><span class="v11_1_18"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.18" class="v11_1_18">18</span>But Adonijah has already been made king, and you didn't know anything about it. </span><span class="v11_1_19"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.19" class="v11_1_19">19</span>He sacrificed a lot of cattle, calves, and sheep. And he invited Abiathar the priest, Joab your army commander, and all your sons to be there, except Solomon, your loyal servant.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_20"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.20" class="v11_1_20">20</span>Your Majesty, everyone in Israel is waiting for you to announce who will be the next king. </span><span class="v11_1_21"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.21" class="v11_1_21">21</span>If you don't, they will say that Solomon and I have rebelled. They will treat us like criminals and kill us as soon as you die.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_22"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.22" class="v11_1_22">22</span>Just then, Nathan the prophet arrived. </span><span class="v11_1_23"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.23" class="v11_1_23">23</span>Someone told David that he was there, and Nathan came in. He bowed with his face to the ground </span><span class="v11_1_24"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.24" class="v11_1_24">24</span>and said:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_24">Your Majesty, did you say that Adonijah would be king? </span><span class="v11_1_25"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.25" class="v11_1_25">25</span>Earlier today, he sacrificed a lot of cattle, calves, and sheep. He invited the army commanders, Abiathar, and all your sons to be there. They are already eating and drinking and shouting, “Long live King Adonijah!” </span><span class="v11_1_26"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.26" class="v11_1_26">26</span>But he didn't invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or Solomon. </span><span class="v11_1_27"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.27" class="v11_1_27">27</span>Did you say they could do this without telling the rest of us who would be the next king?</span></p><h3 class="s1">Solomon Becomes King</h3><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_28"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.28" class="v11_1_28">28</span>David said, “Tell Bathsheba to come here.” She came and stood in front of him. </span><span class="v11_1_29"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.29-1Kgs.1.30" class="v11_1_29">29-30</span>Then he said, “The living <span class="nd">Lord</span> God of Israel has kept me safe. And so today, I will keep the promise I made to you in his name: Solomon will be the next king!”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_31"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.31" class="v11_1_31">31</span>Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Your Majesty, I pray that you will live a long time!”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_32"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.32" class="v11_1_32">32</span>Then David said, “Tell Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah to come here.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_32">When they arrived, </span><span class="v11_1_33"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.33" class="v11_1_33">33</span>he told them:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_33">Take along some of my officials and let Solomon ride my own mule to Gihon Spring. </span><span class="v11_1_34"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.34" class="v11_1_34">34</span>When you get there, Zadok and Nathan will pour olive oil over Solomon's head to show that he is the new king of Israel. Then order someone to blow a trumpet and tell everyone to shout, “Long live King Solomon!” </span><span class="v11_1_35"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.35" class="v11_1_35">35</span>Bring him back here, and he will take my place as king. He is the one I have chosen to rule Israel and Judah.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_36"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.36" class="v11_1_36">36</span>Benaiah answered, “We will do it, Your Majesty. I pray that the <span class="nd">Lord</span> your God will let it happen. </span><span class="v11_1_37"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.37" class="v11_1_37">37</span>The <span class="nd">Lord</span> has always watched over you, and I pray that he will now watch over Solomon. May the <span class="nd">Lord</span> help Solomon to be an even greater king than you.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_38"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.38" class="v11_1_38">38</span>Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah left and took along the two groups of David's special bodyguards.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.38!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> Solomon rode on David's mule as they led him to Gihon Spring. </span><span class="v11_1_39"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.39" class="v11_1_39">39</span>Zadok the priest brought some olive oil from the sacred tent and poured it on Solomon's head to show that he was now king. A trumpet was blown and everyone shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” </span><span class="v11_1_40"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.40" class="v11_1_40">40</span>Then they played flutes and celebrated as they followed Solomon back to Jerusalem. They made so much noise that the ground shook.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_41"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.41" class="v11_1_41">41</span>Adonijah and his guests had almost finished eating when they heard the noise. Joab also heard the trumpet and asked, “What's all that noise about in the city?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_42"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.42" class="v11_1_42">42</span>Just then, Jonathan son of Abiathar came running up. “Come in,” Adonijah said. “An important man like you must have some good news.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_43"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.43" class="v11_1_43">43</span>Jonathan answered:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_43">No, I don't! David has just announced that Solomon will be king. </span><span class="v11_1_44"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.44-1Kgs.1.45" class="v11_1_44">44-45</span>Solomon rode David's own mule to Gihon Spring, and Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and David's special bodyguards<a href="#1Kgs.1.44-1Kgs.1.45!f.1" id="link_1Kgs.1.44-1Kgs.1.45!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> went with him. When they got there, Zadok and Nathan made Solomon king. Then everyone celebrated all the way back to Jerusalem. That's the noise you hear in the city. </span><span class="v11_1_46"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.46" class="v11_1_46">46</span>Solomon is now king.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_47"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.47" class="v11_1_47">47</span>And listen to this! David's officials told him, “We pray that your God will help Solomon to be an even greater king!”</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v11_1_47">David was in his bed at the time, but he bowed </span><span class="v11_1_48"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.48" class="v11_1_48">48</span>and prayed, “I praise you, <span class="nd">Lord</span> God of Israel. You have made my son Solomon king and have let me live to see it.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_49"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.49" class="v11_1_49">49</span>Adonijah's guests shook with fear when they heard this news, and they left as fast as they could. </span><span class="v11_1_50"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.50" class="v11_1_50">50</span>Adonijah himself was afraid of what Solomon might do to him, so he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection.<a href="#fn" id="link_1Kgs.1.50!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_51"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.51" class="v11_1_51">51</span>Someone told Solomon, “Adonijah is afraid of you and is holding onto the corners of the altar. He wants you to promise that you won't kill him.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_52"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.52" class="v11_1_52">52</span>Solomon answered, “If Adonijah doesn't cause any trouble, I won't hurt him. But if he does, I'll have him killed.” </span><span class="v11_1_53"><span class="reftext" id="1Kgs.1.53" class="v11_1_53">53</span>Then he sent someone to the altar to get Adonijah.</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v11_1_53">After Adonijah came and bowed down, Solomon said, “Adonijah, go home.”</span></p></div> </div> <a name="fn"></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:<br /><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.3,4 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">Shunem: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">A town in northern Israel, just north of Jezreel Valley.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.5,6 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">brother: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Since Absalom was dead, Adonijah was now David's oldest living son and would be next in line to be king.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.8 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">Shimei, Rei: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Or “Shimei his advisor.”</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.9 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">Crawling Rock: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Or “Zoheleth Rock.”</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.9 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">sacrificed … calves: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">This was part of a ceremony where Adonijah was made the new king.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.38 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">the two … bodyguards: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">The Hebrew text has “the Cherethites and the Pelethites,” who were foreign soldiers hired by David to be part of his bodyguard.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.44,45 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">David's special bodyguards: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See the note at 1.38.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">1.50 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">the corners … for protection: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">The four corners of some ancient altars looked like animal horns. Since the entire altar was sacred, anyone holding on to its corners was supposed to be safe from being killed.</char></note></div></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Bible text from the Contemporary English Version 2nd Edition (CEV®) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (<a href="http://www.americanbible.org">www.americanbible.org</a>). Learn more at <a href="http://www.cev.bible">www.cev.bible</a>. 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