Old Testament

New Testament

1 Kings 1:23-37 Modern English Version (MEV)

23. The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here,” and when he entered the king’s presence, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

24. Nathan said, “My lord, O king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne’?

25. For he has gone down this day and has slain oxen, fat cattle, and sheep in abundance and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the guard, and Abiathar the priest, and they eat and drink with him, saying, ‘God save King Adonijah!’

26. But he has not invited me, your servant, or Zadok the priest or Benaiah the son of Jehoiada or your servant Solomon.

27. Is this thing done by my lord the king, and you have not let your servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

28. Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” And she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.

29. The king vowed, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all distress,

30. even as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead,’ even so will I certainly do this day.”

31. Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground in reverence to the king and said, “Let my lord King David live forever.”

32. King David said, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada for me.” So they came before the king.

33. And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.

34. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel, and blow the trumpet and say, ‘God save King Solomon!’

35. Then you shall come up after him. And he shall come and sit on my throne, for he will be king in my place as I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.”

36. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, also say so!

37. As the Lord has been with my lord the king, may He also be with Solomon and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”

Read complete chapter 1 Kings 1