I Kings 01 David's old age

 I Kings 01

David's old age

1 When King David was old, and within days, they covered him with garments, but he was not warm.
2 And her servants said unto him, Let fetch for my lord the king a virgin maiden, that may stand before the king, and take care of him: and let her sleep in her bosom, that my lord the king may be warm.
3 And they sought throughout all the borders of Israel a fair maiden; and they found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
4 And she was the damsel exceedingly beautiful: and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not recognize her.
5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith arose, saying, I will reign. And he prepared chariots, and horsemen, and fifty men, to run before him.
6 And his father had never antagonized him, saying, Why did you do this? And he was also very handsome in appearance, and Haggith had him after Solomon.
7 And he had understanding with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, who helped him, following Adonijah.
8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and King, and the mighty men that David had, were not with Adonijah.
9 And Adonijah slew sheep, and oxen, and barley beasts, at the stone of Zoeleth, which is by the well of Rogel: and he called all his brethren, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, servants of the king.
10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he did not invite.
11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, saying, Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns? And what does our lord David not know?
12 So come now, and let me give you advice, that you may save your life, and the life of Solomon your son.
13 Go, and go in unto king David, and say unto him, O my lord king, hast not thou sworn unto thy handmaid, saying, Surely Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? Why then does Adonijah reign?
14 Behold, while you are still there talking with the king, I will also come in after you, and finish your words.
15 And Bathsheba entered the king's chamber; and the king was very old: and Abishag the Shunammite ministered to the king.
16 And Bathsheba bowed her head, and prostrated herself before the king: and the king said, What is the matter with you?
17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou hast sworn to thy handmaid by the Lord thy God, saying, Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and now, my lord the king, you do not know it.
19 And he slew kine, and barley beasts, and flocks in abundance, and called all the king's sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the general of the host, but thy servant Solomon he did not invite.
20 But, O my lord king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21 Otherwise, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, I and Solomon my son will be sinners.
22 And while she was still talking with the king, behold, Nathan the prophet came in.
23 And they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And she went into the presence of the king, and prostrated herself before the king with her face to the ground.
24 And Nathan said, O my lord the king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
25 For he went down today, and killed oxen, and barley beasts, and sheep in abundance, and invited all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they are eating and drinking before him and say: Long live King Adonijah!
26 But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Solomon your servant, he did not invite.
27 Was this done by my lord the king? And did you not tell your servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
28 And king David answered and said, Call me to Bathsheba. And she went into the presence of the king; and she was standing before the king.
29 Then the king swore and said, As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all trouble.
30 That as I swore to you by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Surely Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place, so will I do this day.
31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, and prostrated herself before the king, and said, Let my lord king David live forever!