1 Kings Chapter 1 — Solomon Named King
As King David grows old, his son Adonijah tries to claim the throne, but David intervenes to officially crown Solomon as the next king.
1Now King David was old and advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he couldn’t keep warm.
2Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.”
3So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
4The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.
5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
6His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.
7He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.
8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;
10but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.
11Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?
12Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.
13Go in to King David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then does Adonijah reign?’
14Behold,*“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”
15Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.
16Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”
17She said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD†When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh). your God‡The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim). to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’
18Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.
19He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.
20You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”
22Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.
23They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!”
24Nathan said, “My lord, King, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’?
25For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
26But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.
27Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
28Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.
29The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
30most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”
31Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!”
32King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.
33The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
34Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the trumpet, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
35Then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne; for he shall be king in my place. I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.”
36Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, “Amen. May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so.
37As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”
38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
39Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet; and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
40All the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound.
41Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they had finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “Why is this noise of the city being in an uproar?”
42While he yet spoke, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said, “Come in; for you are a worthy man, and bring good news.”
43Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Most certainly our lord King David has made Solomon king.
44The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule.
45Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon. They have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you have heard.
46Also, Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom.
47Moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne;’ and the king bowed himself on the bed.
48Also thus said the king, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne today, my eyes even seeing it.’ ”
49All the guests of Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and each man went his way.
50Adonijah was afraid because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and hung onto the horns of the altar.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Kings 1:30
“most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”
This verse records King David’s official confirmation of Solomon as his rightful heir, ending the dispute over the throne.
1 Kings 1:39
“Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet; and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!””
This marks the formal and public beginning of Solomon's reign as king over Israel, sanctioned by religious and civic authority.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Kings 1, King David is elderly and failing in health. His eldest surviving son, Adonijah, attempts to seize power by gathering supporters, including Joab and Abiathar the priest. However, the prophet Nathan and Solomon's mother, Bathsheba, inform David of the plot and remind him of his oath that Solomon would inherit the throne. David acts decisively, ordering Zadok the priest and Nathan to anoint Solomon at Gihon. When news of Solomon's coronation reaches Adonijah's feast, his supporters flee in fear. Adonijah seeks sanctuary at the horns of the altar, fearing for his life. Solomon grants him mercy, stipulating that he must remain loyal and worthy to live. This chapter marks the transition of power from David's reign to the beginning of Solomon’s era, highlighting the political tensions and the fulfillment of David’s promise regarding his successor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adonijah, David’s son, attempted to crown himself king while David was still alive. He gathered a following that included Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest, but he excluded Nathan the prophet and Solomon from his plans.
Nathan the prophet informed Bathsheba of Adonijah’s plot and advised her on how to approach the king. Together, they reminded David of his prior promise that Solomon would rule after him, which prompted David to take immediate action to crown Solomon.
In ancient Israel, the horns of the altar were considered a place of sanctuary. By holding onto them, Adonijah was making a plea for mercy, hoping that Solomon would not execute him for his attempt to take the throne.
Study Note
The use of David’s royal mule for Solomon's arrival at Gihon served as a legal and public demonstration of the transfer of regal authority.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.