1 Kings 1 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

David in His Old Age

1 Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms,^[1] that my lord the king may be warm.” 3 So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. (Jos 19:18) 4 The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.

Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King

5 Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. (2Sa 3:4; 2Sa 15:1) 6 His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom. (2Sa 3:3; 1Ch 3:2) 7 He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him. (2Sa 2:13; 2Sa 2:18; 2Sa 20:25) 8 But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David’s mighty men were not with Adonijah. (2Sa 8:18; 2Sa 12:1; 2Sa 23:8; 1Ki 1:7; 1Ki 4:18)

2Sa 8:182Sa 12:12Sa 23:81Ki 1:71Ki 4:18

9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent’s Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, (Jos 15:7; 2Sa 17:17) 10 but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother. (2Sa 12:24)

Nathan and Bathsheba Before David

11 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it? (1Ki 1:5) 12 Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go in at once to King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then is Adonijah king?’ (1Ki 1:30; 1Ch 22:9) 14 Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm^[2] your words.” 15 So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king). 16 Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, “What do you desire?” 17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore to your servant by the Lord your God, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ (1Ki 1:13) 18 And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it. 19 He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he has not invited. (1Ki 1:7; 1Ki 1:9; 1Ki 1:10) 20 And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders.” (De 31:16; 2Sa 7:12; 1Ki 2:10) 22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 And they told the king, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders^[3] of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ (1Sa 10:24; 1Ki 1:19) 26 But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited. (1Ki 1:8; 1Ki 1:10; 1Ki 1:32) 27 Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

Solomon Anointed King

28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, (Ru 3:13) 30 as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ even so will I do this day.” (1Ki 1:13; 1Ki 1:17) 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!” (Ne 2:3; Da 2:4; Da 3:9; Da 5:10; Da 6:6; Da 6:21)

Ne 2:3Da 2:4Da 3:9Da 5:10Da 6:6Da 6:21

32 King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 33 And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. (2Sa 11:11; 2Sa 20:6; 2Ch 32:30; 2Ch 33:14)

2Sa 11:112Sa 20:62Ch 32:302Ch 33:14

34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ (1Sa 10:1; 1Sa 10:24; 2Sa 15:10; 1Ki 1:25; 2Ki 9:13; 2Ki 11:14)

1Sa 10:11Sa 10:242Sa 15:101Ki 1:252Ki 9:132Ki 11:14

35 You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.” 36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say so. 37 As 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.” (1Sa 20:13; 1Ki 1:47) 38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and 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. (2Sa 8:18) 39 There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” (Ex 30:23; 1Ki 1:34; 1Ch 29:22; Ps 89:20)

Ex 30:231Ki 1:341Ch 29:22Ps 89:20

40 And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise. 41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “What does this uproar in the city mean?” 42 While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news.” (2Sa 15:27; 2Sa 15:36; 2Sa 17:17; 2Sa 18:27)

2Sa 15:272Sa 15:362Sa 17:172Sa 18:27

43 Jonathan answered Adonijah, “No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king, 44 and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they had him ride on the king’s mule. (1Ki 1:38) 45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. (1Ki 1:33) 46 Solomon sits on the royal throne. (1Ch 29:23) 47 Moreover, the king’s servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king bowed himself on the bed. (Ge 47:31; 1Ki 1:37) 48 And the king also said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has granted someone^[4] to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.’” (1Ki 3:6; Ps 132:11) 49 Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way. 50 And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. (Ex 27:2; 1Ki 2:28) 51 Then it was told Solomon, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’” 52 And Solomon said, “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” (1Sa 14:45) 53 So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

الكتاب المقدس

أدونيا يعلن نفسه ملكاً

1 وَشَاخَ الْمَلِكُ دَاوُدُ وَطَعَنَ فِي السِّنِّ، فَكَانُوا يُدَثِّرُونَهُ بِالأَغْطِيَةِ فَلا يَشْعُرُ بِالدِّفْءِ. 2 فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبِيدُهُ: «لِيَلْتَمِسْ سَيِّدُنَا الْمَلِكُ فَتَاةً عذْرَاءَ تَخْدُمُكَ، وَتَعْتَنِي بِكَ وَتَضْطَجِعُ فِي حِضْنِكَ، فَتَبْعَثُ فِيكَ الدِّفْءَ». 3 فَبَحَثُوا لَهُ عَنْ فَتَاةٍ جَمِيلَةٍ فِي أَرْجَاءِ إِسْرَائِيلَ، فَعَثَرُوا عَلَى أَبِيشَجَ الشُّونَمِيَّةِ فَأَحْضَرُوهَا إِلَى الْمَلِكِ. 4 وَكَانَتِ الْفَتَاةُ بَارِعَةَ الْجَمَالِ، فَصَارَتْ لَهُ حَاضِنَةً، تَقُومُ عَلَى خِدْمَتِهِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْمَلِكَ لَمْ يُعَاشِرْهَا. 5 وَعَظَّمَ أَدُونِيَّا ابْنُ حَجِّيثَ نَفْسَهُ قَائِلاً: «أَنَا أَمْلِكُ»، وَجَهَّزَ لِنَفْسِهِ مَرْكَبَاتٍ وَفُرْسَاناً وَاسْتَأْجَرَ خَمْسِينَ رَجُلاً يَجْرُونَ أَمَامَ مَوْكِبِهِ. 6 وَلَمْ يُغْضِبْهُ أَبُوهُ قَطُّ بِسُؤَالِهِ: «لِمَاذَا فَعَلْتَ هَكَذَا؟» وَكَانَ أَدُونِيَّا وَسِيمَ الطَّلْعَةِ، وَقَدْ أَنْجَبَتْهُ أُمُّهُ بَعْدَ أَبْشَالُومَ. 7 وَتَدَاوَلَ الأَمْرَ مَعَ يُوآبَ بْنِ صُرُوِيَّةَ وَأَبِيَاثَارَ الْكَاهِنِ فَأَعَانَاهُ، 8 وَأَمَّا صَادُوقُ الْكَاهِنُ وَبَنَايَاهُو بْنُ يَهُويَادَاعَ وَنَاثَانُ النَّبِيُّ وَشِمْعِي وَرِيعِي وَسِوَاهُمْ مِنَ الأَبْطَالِ مِنْ رِجَالِ دَاوُدَ فَلَمْ يَنْسَاقُوا مَعَهُ. 9 وَتَوَجَّهَ أَدُونِيَّا إِلَى عَيْنِ رُوجَلَ حَيْثُ ذَبَحَ غَنَماً وَبَقَراً وَمُسَمَّنَاتٍ عِنْدَ حَجَرِ الزَّاحِفَةِ، وَدَعَا جَمِيعَ إِخْوَتِهِ أَبْنَاءِ الْمَلِكِ، وَجَمِيعَ رِجَالِ يَهُوذَا مِنْ حَاشِيَةِ دَاوُدَ، 10 وَلَكِنَّهُ لَمْ يَدْعُ نَاثَانَ النَّبِيَّ وَلا بَنَايَاهُو، وَلا الرِّجَالَ الأَبْطَالَ وَلا سُلَيْمَانَ أَخَاهُ. 11 فَأَقْبَلَ نَاثَانُ النَّبِيُّ إِلَى بَثْشَبَعَ أُمِّ سُلَيْمَانَ قَائِلاً: «أَلَمْ تَعْلَمِي أَنَّ أَدُونِيَّا ابْنَ حَجِّيثَ قَدْ مَلَكَ، وَسَيِّدُنَا دَاوُدُ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ بِالأَمْرِ بَعْدُ؟ 12 فَالآنَ تَعَالَيْ أُشِيرُ عَلَيْكِ بِمَا يُنْقِذُكِ وَيُنْقِذُ ابْنَكِ سُلَيْمَانَ. 13 امْضِي وَادْخُلِي إِلَى الْمَلِكِ دَاوُدَ وَقُولِي لَهُ: أَلَمْ تَحْلِفْ يَا سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكُ لِجَارِيَتِكَ أَنَّ ابْنِي سُلَيْمَانَ يَكُونُ الْمَلِكَ مِنْ بَعْدِي وَهُوَ يَجْلِسُ عَلَى عَرْشِي؟ فَلِمَاذَا مَلَكَ أَدُونِيَّا إِذاً؟» 14 وَفِيمَا أَنْتِ تُخَاطِبِينَ الْمَلِكَ أَدْخُلُ وَرَاءَكِ، وأُؤَيِّدُ كَلامَكِ. 15 فَمَثَلَتْ بَثْشَبَعُ أَمَامَ الْمَلِكِ الشَّيْخِ فِي مُخْدَعِهِ، وَكَانَتْ أَبِيشَجُ الشُّونَمِيَّةُ قَائِمَةً عَلَى خِدْمَتِهِ. 16 فَأَكَبَّتْ بَثْشَبَعُ عَلَى وَجْهِهَا وَسَجَدَتْ لِلْمَلِكِ، فَسَأَلَهَا الْمَلِكُ: «مَالَكِ؟» 17 فَأَجَابَتْهُ: «لَقَدْ حَلَفْتَ لِي بِالرَّبِّ إِلَهِكَ يَا سَيِّدِي قَائِلاً: ’إِنَّ سُلَيْمَانَ ابْنِي يُصْبِحُ مَلِكاً مِنْ بَعْدِي وَيَجْلِسُ عَلَى عَرْشِي‘ 18 وَلَكِنْ هَا هُوَ أَدُونِيَّا قَدْ مَلَكَ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلْمٍ مِنْكَ يَا سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكُ، 19 وَقَدْ ذَبَحَ ثِيرَاناً وَمُسَمَّنَاتٍ وَغَنَماً بِوَفْرَةٍ، وَدَعَا جَمِيعَ أَبْنَاءِ الْمَلِكِ، وَأَبِيَاثَارَ الْكَاهِنَ، ويُوآبَ رَئِيسَ الْجَيْشِ، وَلَكِنْ لَمْ يَدْعُ سُلَيْمَانَ عَبْدَكَ. 20 إِنَّ جَمِيعَ أَعْيُنِ شَعْبِ إِسْرَائِيلَ، يَا سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكُ، تَتَّجِهُ نَحْوَكَ فِي انْتِظَارِ إِعْلانِكَ مَنْ يَخْلُفُ سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكَ عَلَى عَرْشِهِ. 21 وَإلَّا حَالَمَا يَنْضَمُّ سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكُ إِلَى آبَائِهِ نُعَامَلُ أَنَا وَابْنِي سُلَيْمَانُ مُعَامَلَةَ الْمُذْنِبِينَ». 22 وَفِيمَا هِيَ تُخَاطِبُ الْمَلِكَ جَاءَ نَاثَانُ النَّبِيُّ، 23 فَقِيلَ لِلْمَلِكِ: «قَدْ جَاءَ نَاثَانُ النَّبِيُّ». فَمَثَلَ فِي حَضْرَةِ الْمَلِكِ وَسَجَدَ لَهُ، 24 وَتَسَاءَلَ نَاثَانُ: «هَلْ قُلْتَ يَا سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكُ: إِنَّ أَدُونِيَّا يَمْلِكُ مِنْ بَعْدِي وَيَخْلُفُنِي عَلَى عَرْشِي؟ 25 لأَنَّهُ قَدْ مَضَى الْيَوْمَ وَذَبَحَ ثِيرَاناً وَمُسَمَّنَاتٍ وَغَنَماً بِوَفْرَةٍ، وَدَعَا جَمِيعَ أَبْنَاءِ الْمَلِكِ وَرُؤَسَاءَ الْجَيْشِ وَأَبِيَاثَارَ الْكَاهِنَ، وَهَا هُمْ يَحْتَفِلُونَ آكِلِينَ شَارِبِينَ أَمَامَهُ هَاتِفِينَ: لِيَحْيَ الْمَلِكُ أَدُونِيَّا! 26 وَأَمَّا أَنَا وَصَادُوقُ الْكَاهِنُ وَبَنَايَاهُو بنُ يَهُويَادَاعَ وَسُلَيْمَانُ فَلَمْ يَدْعُنَا. 27 فَهَلْ صَدَرَ هَذَا الأَمْرُ عَنْ سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تُطْلِعَ عَبْدَكَ عَمَّنْ يَخْلُفُكَ عَلَى عَرْشِكَ؟»

داود يختار سليمان خلفاً له

28 فَأَجَابَ الْمَلِكُ: «اسْتَدْعِ لِي بَثْشَبَعَ». فَمَثَلَتْ أَمَامَ الْمَلِكِ، 29 فَحَلَفَ الْمَلِكُ: «حَيٌّ هُوَ الرَّبُّ الَّذِي أَنْقَذَ نَفْسِي مِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ، 30 كَمَا أَقْسَمْتُ لَكِ بِالرَّبِّ إِلَهِ إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّ ابْنَكِ سُلَيْمَانَ يَمْلِكُ بَعْدِي وَيَخْلُفُنِي عَلَى عَرْشِي، هَكَذَا أَفْعَلُ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ». 31 فَخَرَّتْ بَثْشَبَعُ عَلَى وَجْهِهَا إِلَى الأَرْضِ سَاجِدَةً لِلْمَلِكِ وَقَالَتْ: «لِيَحْيَ سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكُ دَاوُدُ إِلَى الأَبَدِ!» 32 وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ دَاوُدُ: «اسْتَدْعِ لِي صَادُوقَ الْكَاهِنَ وَنَاثَانَ النَّبِيَّ وَبَنَايَاهُو بْنَ يَهُويَادَاعَ». فَدَخَلُوا إِلَى حَضْرَةِ الْمَلِكِ 33 فَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ لَهُمْ: «خُذُوا مَعَكُمْ رِجَالَ حَاشِيَةِ سَيِّدِكُمْ، وَأَرْكِبُوا سُلَيْمَانَ ابْنِي عَلَى بَغْلَتِي الْخَاصَّةِ، وَانْطَلِقُوا بِهِ إِلَى جِيحُونَ. 34 وَلْيَمْسَحْهُ هُنَاكَ صَادُوقُ الْكَاهِنُ وَنَاثَانُ النَّبِيُّ مَلِكاً عَلَى إِسْرَائِيلَ، وَانْفُخُوا بِالْبُوقِ هَاتِفِينَ: ’لِيَحْيَ الْمَلِكُ سُلَيْمَانُ‘. 35 ثُمَّ اصْعَدُوا وَرَاءَهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ فَيَجْلِسَ عَلَى عَرْشِي، فَهُوَ الَّذِي اخْتَرْتُهُ لِيَخْلُفَنِي عَلَى عَرْشِ إِسْرَائِيلَ وَيَهُوذَا». 36 فَقَالَ بَنَايَاهُو بْنُ يَهُويَادَاعَ لِلْمَلِكِ: «آمِين! لِيَكُنْ هَذَا مَا يُعْلِنُهُ الرَّبُّ إِلَهُ سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكِ! 37 وَكَمَا كَانَ الرَّبُّ مَعَ سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكِ لِيَكُنْ مَعَ سُلَيْمَانَ، وَيَجْعَلْ عَرْشَهُ أَعْظَمَ مِنْ عَرْشِ سَيِّدِي الْمَلِكِ دَاوُدَ». 38 وَمَضَى صَادُوقُ الْكَاهِنُ وَنَاثَانُ النَّبِيُّ وَبَنَايَاهُو بْنُ يَهُويَادَاعَ وَضُبَّاطُ حَرَسِ الْمَلِكِ، وَأَرْكَبُوا سُلَيْمَانَ عَلَى بَغْلَةِ الْمَلِكِ دَاوُدَ، وَانْطَلَقُوا بِهِ إِلَى جِيحُونَ. 39 فَأَخَذَ صَادُوقُ الْكَاهِنُ قَرْنَ الدُّهْنِ مِنَ الْخَيْمَةِ وَمَسَحَ سُلَيْمَانَ، وَنَفَخُوا بِالْبُوقِ وَهَتَفَ جَمِيعُ الشَّعْبِ: «لِيَحْيَ الْمَلِكُ سُلَيْمَانُ». 40 وَصَعِدَ جَمِيعُ الشَّعْبِ وَرَاءَ سُلَيْمَانَ وَهُمْ يَعْزِفُونَ عَلَى النَّايِ هَاتِفِينَ فَرَحاً، حَتَّى ارْتَجَّتِ الأَرْضُ مِنْ أَصْوَاتِهِمْ. 41 وَسَمِعَ أَدُونِيَّا وَمَدْعُوُّوهُ جَمِيعاً أَصْوَاتَ الْهُتَافِ بَعْدَ أَنْ فَرَغُوا مِنَ الأَكْلِ، وَبَلَغَ نَفِيرُ الْبُوقِ مَسَامِعَ يُوآبَ فَتَساءَلَ: «مَا مَعْنَى هَذَا الضَّجِيجِ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ؟» 42 وَفِيمَا هُوَ يَتَسَاءَلُ جَاءَ يُونَاثَانُ بْنُ أَبِيَاثَارَ الْكَاهِنِ، فَقَالَ أَدُونِيَّا: «تَعَالَ، فَأَنْتَ رَجُلٌ كَرِيمٌ تَحْمِلُ بَشَائِرَ خَيْرٍ». 43 فَأَجَابَ يُونَاثَانُ أَدُونِيَّا: «لا إِنَّ سَيِّدَنَا الْمَلِكَ دَاوُدَ قَدْ نَصَّبَ سُلَيْمَانَ مَلِكاً، 44 وَبَعَثَ مَعَهُ صَادُوقَ الْكَاهِنَ وَنَاثَانَ النَّبِيَّ وَبَنَايَاهُو بْنَ يَهُويَادَاعَ وضُبَّاطَ حَرَسِهِ، فَأَرْكَبُوهُ عَلَى بَغْلَةِ الْمَلِكِ، 45 وَمَسَحَهُ صَادُوقُ الْكَاهِنُ وَنَاثَانُ النَّبِيُّ مَلِكاً فِي جِيحُونَ، ثُمَّ صَعِدُوا مِنْ هُنَاكَ فَرِحِينَ هَاتِفِينَ، حَتَّى مَلأَ ضَجِيجُهُمُ الْمَدِينَةَ. وَهَذَا هُوَ مَصْدَرُ الصَّوْتِ الَّذِي سَمِعْتُمُوهُ. 46 وَقَدْ جَلَسَ سُلَيْمَانُ عَلَى كُرْسِيِّ الْمَمْلَكَةِ». 47 وَتَوَافَدَ رِجَالُ الْمَلِكِ دَاوُدَ لِتَهْنِئَتِهِ قَائِلِينَ: «لِيَجْعَلْ إِلَهُكَ اسْمَ سُلَيْمَانَ أَكْثَرَ شُهْرَةً مِنِ اسْمِكَ، وَعَرْشَهُ أَعْظَمَ مِنْ عَرْشِكَ». فَسَجَدَ الْمَلِكُ عَلَى سَرِيرِهِ 48 قَائِلاً: «تَبَارَكَ الرَّبُّ إِلَهُ إِسْرَائِيلَ الَّذِي أَنْعَمَ عَلَيَّ بِمَنْ يَخْلُفُنِي عَلَى عَرْشِي وَأَنَا مَازِلْتُ عَلَى قَيْدِ الْحَيَاةِ». 49 فَاعْتَرَتِ الرِّعْدَةُ جَمِيعَ مَدْعُوِّي أَدُونِيَّا، فَقَامُوا وَتَفَرَّقُوا كُلٌّ فِي سَبِيلِهِ. 50 وَمَلأَ الْخَوْفُ أَدُونِيَّا مِنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، فَانْطَلَقَ مُسْرِعاً وَتَمَسَّكَ بِقُرُونِ الْمَذْبَحِ. 51 فَقِيلَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ: «هَا هُوَ أَدُونِيَّا قَدْ مَلأَهُ الْخَوْفُ مِنْكَ، وَقَدْ لَجَأَ إِلَى الْمَذْبَحِ يَتَمَسَّكُ بِقُرُونِهِ وَيَقُولُ: لِيَحْلِفْ لِي الْيَوْمَ سُلَيْمَانُ أَنَّهُ لَا يَقْتُلُ عَبْدَهُ بِالسَّيْفِ». 52 فَقَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ: «إِنْ أَثْبَتَ صِدْقَ وَلائِهِ فَإِنَّ شَعْرَةً وَاحِدَةً مِنْ رَأْسِهِ لَنْ تَسْقُطَ إِلَى الأَرْضِ، وَلَكِنْ إِنْ أَضْمَرَ الْخِيَانَةَ وَالشَّرَّ فَإِنَّهُ حَتْماً يَمُوتُ». 53 فَأَرْسَلَ الْمَلِكُ سُلَيْمَانُ مَنْ أَحْضَرَهُ مِنْ عِنْدِ الْمَذْبَحِ، فَأَتَى وَسَجَدَ لِلْمَلِكِ سُلَيْمَانَ، فَقَالَ لَهُ سُلَيْمَانُ: «اذْهَبْ إِلَى بَيْتِكَ».