1Keď bol kráľ Dávid starý a zošlý vekom, prikrývali ho šatami, ale nezahrial sa. 2Jeho služobníci mu teda povedali: Nech vyhľadajú môjmu pánovi, kráľovi panenské dievča, ktoré by obsluhovalo kráľa, bolo mu opatrovníčkou a líhalo v jeho lone; tak sa môj pán, kráľ zahreje. 3Preto hľadali pekné dievča vo všetkých končinách Izraela a na šli Šunémčanku Abíšag. Priviedli ju ku kráľovi. 4Dievča bolo prekrásne, stalo sa kráľovou opatrovníčkou, posluhovalo mu, ale kráľ ho nepoznal. 5Adónija, Chaggitin syn, sa povyšoval: Ja budem kráľom! Zaobstaral si bojové vozy, jazdcov a päťdesiat mužov, ktorí behávali pred ním. 6Jeho otec ho za celý svoj život nepokarhal: Prečo to robíš? Aj on bol krásnej postavy a narodil sa hneď po Absolónovi. 7Mal rozhovory s Jóábom, synom Cerúje, a s kňazom Ebjátárom. Tí podporovali Adóniju. 8No ani kňaz Cádók, ani Benája, syn Jehójádov, ani prorok Nátan, ani Šimeí, ani Reí, ani Dávidovi hrdinovia neboli s Adónijom. 9Adónija obetoval ovce, hovädzí dobytok a vykŕmené teľce pri kameni Zóchelet, ktorý bol blízko prameňa Rógel, a pozval všetkých svojich bratov, kráľových synov, aj všetkých Júdejcov v kráľovej službe. 10Ale proroka Nátana, Benáju, hrdinov a svojho brata Šalamúna nepozval. 11Nato povedal prorok Nátan Šalamúnovej matke Batšebe: Nepočula si, že Adónija, Chaggitin syn, kraľuje, a Dávid, náš pán, o tom nevie? 12Poď, poradím ti, ako si zachrániš život i život svojho syna Šalamúna. 13Choď, zájdi ku kráľovi Dávidovi a povedz mu: Či si ty, pán môj, kráľ neprisahal svojej služobnici: Tvoj syn Šalamún bude kraľovať po mne, on zasadne na môj trón? Tak prečo sa stal kráľom Adónija? 14Kým sa ty budeš zhovárať s kráľom, vstúpim aj ja za tebou a potvrdím tvoje slová. 15Batšeba sa teda pobrala do izby ku kráľovi. Kráľ bol už veľmi starý a Šunémčanka Abíšag ho obsluhovala. 16Batšeba sa uklonila, vzdala kráľovi poctu; nato sa kráľ opýtal: Čo chceš? 17Odvetila mu: Pane môj, ty si prisahal svojej služobnici na svojho Boha Hospodina: Šalamún, tvoj syn, bude kráľom po mne; on zasadne na môj trón. 18A teraz sa stal kráľom Adónija, a ty, môj pán a kráľ, o tom ani nevieš. 19Obetoval aj mnoho býkov, vykŕmených teliat a oviec a pozval všetkých kráľovských synov, kňaza Ebjátára i veliteľa vojska Jóába, ale tvojho služobníka Šalamúna nepozval. 20No oči celého Izraela sa obracajú k tebe, môj pán a kráľ, aby si im oznámil, kto zasadne na trón môjho pána, kráľa po ňom. 21Ak teraz môj pán a kráľ usne so svojimi otcami, ja a môj syn Šalamún budeme ako hriešnici. 22Ešte hovorila s kráľom, keď vstúpil Nátan. 23Kráľovi oznámili: Tu je prorok Nátan. Keď predstúpil pred kráľa, poklonil sa mu tvárou k zemi 24a povedal: Pane môj, kráľ, či si ty povedal: Adónija bude kráľom po mne, on zasadne na môj trón? 25Lebo dnes odišiel a obetoval množstvo býkov, vykŕmených teliat a oviec, pozval si všetkých kráľovských synov, veliteľov vojska aj kňaza Ebjátára - a oni teraz jedia a pijú pred ním a prevolávajú: Nech žije kráľ Adónija! 26Ale ani mňa, tvojho služobníka, ani kňaza Cádóka, ani Benáju, syna Jehójádovho, ani tvojho služobníka Šalamúna nepozval. 27Či to pochádza od pána, môjho kráľa? A nedal si vedieť svojim služobníkom, kto bude sedieť na tróne po pánovi, mojom kráľovi. 28Vtedy sa kráľ Dávid ujal slova a povedal: Zavolajte mi Batšebu! Vo šla ku kráľovi a postavila sa pred neho. 29Kráľ sa zaprisahal: Akože žije Hospodin, ktorý ma vykúpil z každého súženia, 30dnes uskutočním to, čo som ti prísahou na Hospodina, Boha Izraela, sľúbil, že tvoj syn Šalamún má kraľovať a zasadnúť po mne na môj trón. 31Vtedy sa Batšeba poklonila tvárou k zemi, vzdala kráľovi poctu a povedala: Nech žije môj pán, kráľ Dávid, naveky! 32Potom kráľ Dávid povedal: Zavolajte mi kňaza Cádóka, proroka Nátana a Benáju, syna Jójádovho. Tí sa dostavili pred kráľa 33a kráľ im povedal: Vezmite so sebou sluhov svojho pána, posaďte môjho syna Šalamúna na moju mulicu a odveďte ho ku Gíchónu. 34Tam ho kňaz Cádók a prorok Nátan pomažú za kráľa nad Izraelom. Potom zatrúbte na roh a zvolajte: Nech žije kráľ Šalamún! 35Potom pôjdete za ním. A on nastúpi a posadí sa na môj trón. On bude kraľovať po mne, lebo jeho som ustanovil za knieža nad Izraelom i nad Júdom. 36Nato Benája, syn Jójádov, odpovedal kráľovi: Amen. Nech to potvrdí Hospodin, Boh môjho pána, kráľa! 37Ako bol Hospodin s mojím pánom, kráľom, nech je aj so Šalamúnom, a nech ešte viac vyvýši jeho trón ako trón môjho pána, kráľa Dávida. 38Kňaz Cádók, prorok Nátan, Benája, syn Jójádov, Keretejci a Peletejci odišli, posadili Šalamúna na mulicu kráľa Dávida a odviedli ho ku Gíchónu. 39Kňaz Cádók vzal roh s olejom zo stánku, pomazal Šalamúna, a keď zatrúbili na roh, všetok ľud zvolal: Nech žije kráľ Šalamún! 40A všetok ľud šiel za ním, ľudia pískali na píšťalách, veľmi sa radovali, až zem pukala od ich hlasu. 41Počul to Adónija aj všetci pozvaní, ktorí boli s ním, práve keď skončili hodovanie. Keď Jóáb počul hlas rohu, povedal: Prečo je taký rozruch v meste? 42Kým hovoril, dobehol Jonatán, syn kňaza Ebjátára. Adónija mu povedal: Poď, lebo si udatný muž a zvestuješ dobré veci. 43Jonatán však Adónijovi odvetil: Naopak! Náš pán, kráľ Dávid, ustanovil Šalamúna za kráľa. 44Kráľ poslal s ním kňaza Cádóka, proroka Nátana, Benáju, syna Jójádovho, Keretejcov a Peletejcov, posadili ho na kráľovu mulicu 45a kňaz Cádók s prorokom Nátanom ho pomazali za kráľa pri Gíchóne. Potom odišli odtiaľ naradostení, takže je vzrušené celé mesto. Odtiaľ ten krik, ktorý ste počuli. 46A Šalamún už aj sedí na kráľovskom tróne. 47Ba aj kráľovi sluhovia prišli blahoželať nášmu pánovi, kráľovi Dávidovi: Nech učiní tvoj Boh ešte slávnejším meno Šalamúnovo nad tvoje meno a nech vyvýši jeho trón nad tvoj trón. A kráľ sa uklonil na svojom lôžku 48a povedal: Požehnaný Hospodin, Boh Izraela, ktorý dal dnes môjmu potomkovi zasadnúť na môj trón, takže som to mohol vidieť na vlastné oči. 49Nato sa preľakli a vstali všetci pozvaní, ktorí patrili k Adónijovi, a odišli každý svojou cestou. 50Aj Adónija sa bál Šalamúna; vstal, odišiel a chytil sa rohov oltára. 51Vtedy oznámili Šalamúnovi: Hľa, Adónija sa bojí kráľa Šalamúna, drží sa rohov oltára a vraví: Nech mi prisahá dnes kráľ Šalamún, že nevydá svojho služobníka na smrť mečom. 52Šalamún povedal: Keď sa dokáže statočným, ani vlas sa mu neskriví, ale ak sa nájde pri ňom niečo zlé, zomrie. 53Nato poslal kráľ Šalamún, aby ho odviedli od oltára. Keď prišiel a poklonil sa kráľovi Šalamúnovi, Šalamún mu povedal: Choď domov!
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 ABISHAG CHERISHES DAVID IN HIS EXTREME AGE. (
1Kgs 1:1-4)
Now king David was old--He was in the seventieth year of his age (
2Sam 5:4-5). But the wear and tear of a military life, bodily fatigue, and mental care, had prematurely, if we may say it, exhausted the energies of David's strong constitution (
1Sam 16:12). In modern Palestine and Egypt the people, owing to the heat of the climate, sleep each in a "separate" bed. They only depart from this practice for medical reasons (
Eccl 4:11). The expedient recommended by David's physicians is the regimen still prescribed in similar cases in the East, particularly among the Arab population, not simply to give heat, but "to cherish," as they are aware that the inhalation of young breath will give new life and vigor to the worn-out frame. The fact of the health of the young and healthier person being, as it were, stolen to support that of the more aged and sickly is well established among the medical faculty. And hence the prescription for the aged king was made in a hygienic point of view for the prolongation of his valuable life, and not merely for the comfort to be derived from the natural warmth imparted to his withered frame [PORTER, Tent and Khan]. The polygamy of the age and country may account for the introduction of this practice; and it is evident that Abishag was made a concubine or secondary wife to David (see on
1Kgs 2:22).
3 a Shunammite--Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar (
Josh 19:18), lay on an eminence in the plain of Esdraelon, five miles south of Tabor. It is now called Sulam.
5 ADONIJAH USURPS THE KINGDOM. (1Ki. 1:5-31)
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself--Nothing is said as to the origin or rank of Haggith, so that it is probable she was not distinguished by family descent. Adonijah, though David's fourth son (
2Sam 3:4;
1Chr 3:2), was now the oldest alive; and his personal attractions and manners (
1Sam 9:2) not only recommended him to the leading men about court, but made him the favorite of his father, who, though seeing him assume an equipage becoming only the heir-presumptive to the throne (
2Sam 15:1), said nothing; and his silence was considered by many, as well as by Adonijah, to be equivalent to an expression of consent. The sinking health of the king prompted him to take a decisive step in furtherance of his ambitious designs.
7 he conferred with Joab--The anxiety of Adonijah to secure the influence of a leader so bold, enterprising, and popular with the army was natural, and the accession of the hoary commander is easily accounted for from his recent grudge at the king (see on
2Sam 19:13).
and with Abiathar the priest--His influence was as great over the priests and Levites--a powerful body in the kingdom--as that of Joab over the troops. It might be that both of them thought the crown belonged to Adonijah by right of primogeniture, from his mature age and the general expectations of the people (
1Kgs 2:15).
8 But Zadok the priest--He had been high priest in the tabernacle at Gibeon under Saul (
1Chr 16:39). David, on his accession, had conjoined him and Abiathar equal in the exercise of their high functions (
2Sam 8:17;
2Sam 15:24,
2Sam 15:29,
2Sam 15:35). But it is extremely probable that some cause of jealousy or discord between them had arisen, and hence each lent his countenance and support to opposite parties.
Benaiah--Distinguished for his bravery (
1Sam 23:20), he had been appointed captain of the king's bodyguard (
2Sam 8:18;
2Sam 20:23;
1Chr 18:17), and was regarded by Joab as a rival.
Nathan the prophet--He was held in high estimation by David, and stood on the most intimate relations with the royal family (
2Sam 12:25).
Shimei--probably the person of this name who was afterwards enrolled among Solomon's great officers (
1Kgs 4:18).
Rei--supposed to be the same as Ira (
2Sam 20:26).
and the mighty men--the select band of worthies.
9 En-rogel--situated (
Josh 15:7-
Josh 15:10) east of Jerusalem, in a level place, just below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. It is a very deep well, measuring one hundred twenty-five feet in depth; the water is sweet, but not very cold, and it is at times quite full to overflowing. The Orientals are fond of enjoying festive repasts in the open air at places which command the advantage of shade, water, and verdure; and those fetes champetres are not cold collations, but magnificent entertainments, the animals being killed and dressed on the spot. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was one of this Oriental description, and it was on a large scale (
2Sam 3:4-5;
2Sam 5:14-16;
1Chr 14:1-7). At the accession of a new king there were sacrifices offered (
1Sam 11:15). But on such an occasion it was no less customary to entertain the grandees of the kingdom and even the populace in a public manner (1Ch. 12:23-40). There is the strongest probability that Adonijah's feast was purely political, to court popularity and secure a party to support his claim to the crown.
11 Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba . . . let me . . . give thee counsel, &c.--The revolt was defeated by this prophet, who, knowing the Lord's will (
2Sam 7:12;
1Chr 22:9), felt himself bound, in accordance with his character and office, to take the lead in seeing it executed. Hitherto the succession of the Hebrew monarchy had not been settled. The Lord had reserved to Himself the right of nomination (
Deut 17:15), which was acted upon in the appointments both of Saul and David; and in the case of the latter the rule was so far modified that his posterity were guaranteed the perpetual possession of the sovereignty (
2Sam 7:12). This divine purpose was known throughout the kingdom; but no intimation had been made as to whether the right of inheritance was to belong to the oldest son. Adonijah, in common with the people generally, expected that this natural arrangement should be followed in the Hebrew kingdom as in all others. Nathan, who was aware of the old king's solemn promise to Solomon, and, moreover, that this promise was sanctioned by the divine will, saw that no time was to be lost. Fearing the effects of too sudden excitement in the king's feeble state, he arranged that Bath-sheba should go first to inform him of what was being transacted without the walls, and that he himself should follow to confirm her statement. The narrative here not only exhibits the vivid picture of a scene within the interior of a palace, but gives the impression that a great deal of Oriental state ceremonial had been established in the Hebrew court.
20 the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne--When the kings died without declaring their will, then their oldest son succeeded. But frequently they designated long before their death which of their sons should inherit the throne. The kings of Persia, as well as of other Eastern countries, have exercised the same right in modern and even recent times.
21 I and my son . . . shall be counted offenders--that is, slain, according to the barbarous usage of the East towards all who are rivals to the throne.
28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba--He renews to her the solemn pledge he had given, in terms of solemnity and impressiveness which show that the aged monarch had roused himself to the duty the emergency called for.
33 SOLOMON, BY DAVID'S APPOINTMENT, IS ANOINTED KING. (1Ki. 1:32-49)
cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule--Directions were forthwith given for the immediate coronation of Solomon. A procession was to be formed by the "servants of their lord"--that is, the king's bodyguard. Mules were then used by all the princes (
2Sam 13:29); but there was a state mule of which all subjects were forbidden, under pain of death, to make use, without special permission; so that its being granted to Solomon was a public declaration in his favor as the future king (see on
Esth 6:8-
Esth 6:9).
bring him down to Gihon--a pool or fountain on the west of Jerusalem (see on
2Chr 32:30), chosen as equally public for the counter proclamation.
34 anoint him--done only in the case of a new dynasty or disputed succession (see on
1Sam 16:13;
2Sam 2:1).
35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne--The public recognition of the successor to the throne, during the old king's lifetime, is accordant with the customs of the East.
39 an horn of oil out of the tabernacle--It was the sacred oil (
Exod 30:25) with which the kings were anointed.
40 all the people came up after him--that is, from the valley to the citadel of Zion.
41 Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating--The loud shouts raised by the populace at the joyous proclamation at Gihon, and echoed by assembled thousands, from Zion to En-rogel, were easily heard at that distance by Adonijah and his confederates. The arrival of a trusty messenger, who gave a full detail of the coronation ceremony [
1Kgs 1:43-48], spread dismay in their camp. The wicked and ambitious plot they had assembled to execute was dissipated, and every one of the conspirators consulted his safety by flight.
50 ADONIJAH, FLEEING TO THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR, IS DISMISSED BY SOLOMON. (
1Kgs 1:50-53)
Adonijah . . . went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar--most probably the altar of burnt offering which had been erected on Mount Zion, where Abiathar, one of his partisans, presided as high priest. The horns or projections at the four corners of the altar, to which the sacrifices were bound, and which were tipped with the blood of the victim, were symbols of grace and salvation to the sinner. Hence the altar was regarded as a sanctuary (
Exod 21:14), but not to murderers, rebels, or deliberate perpetrators. Adonijah, having acted in opposition to the will of the reigning king, was guilty of rebellion, and stood self-condemned. Solomon spared his life on the express condition of his good behavior--living in strict privacy, leading a quiet, peaceable life, and meddling with the affairs of neither the court nor the kingdom.
53 they brought him down from the altar--from the ledge around the altar on which he was standing.
he bowed himself--that is, did homage to Solomon as king.