📖 1 Kings — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Kings 1:1 Now king David was Rold and Tstricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
1 Kings 1:2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, RTLet there be sought for my lord the king Ta young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her Tcherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.
1 Kings 1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found RAbishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
1 Kings 1:4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king Rknew her not.
1 Kings 1:5 Then RAdonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will Tbe king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
1 Kings 1:6 And his father Rhad not displeased him Tat any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
1 Kings 1:7 RAnd The conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they Tfollowing Adonijah helped him.
1 Kings 1:8 But RZadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
1 Kings 1:9 And Adonijah Rslew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by TEnrogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:
1 Kings 1:10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
1 Kings 1:11 Wherefore RNathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
1 Kings 1:12 Now therefore come, Rlet me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
1 Kings 1:13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, RAssuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
1 Kings 1:14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, RI also will come in after thee, and Tconfirm thy words.
1 Kings 1:15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
1 Kings 1:16 And Bathsheba Rbowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, TWhat wouldest thou?
1 Kings 1:17 And she said unto him, RMy lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
1 Kings 1:18 And now, behold, RAdonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:
1 Kings 1:19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
1 Kings 1:20 And thou, my lord, O king, Rthe eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
1 Kings 1:21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall Rsleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted Toffenders.
1 Kings 1:22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
1 Kings 1:23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, Rhe bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
1 Kings 1:24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, Rhast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
1 Kings 1:25 For he is gone down this day, and hath Rslain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, TGod save king Adonijah.
1 Kings 1:26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
1 Kings 1:27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, Rand thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
1 Kings 1:28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came Tinto the king’s presence, and stood before the king.
1 Kings 1:29 And the king sware, and said, RAs the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
1 Kings 1:30 REven as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.
1 Kings 1:31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and Rdid reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
1 Kings 1:32 And king David said, Call me RZadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
1 Kings 1:33 The king also said unto them, RTake with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon Tmine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
1 Kings 1:34 And let RZadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
1 Kings 1:35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and Rsit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
1 Kings 1:36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, RAmen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.
1 Kings 1:37 RAs the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
1 Kings 1:38 So RZadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
1 Kings 1:39 And Zadok the priest took Ran horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
1 Kings 1:40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with RTpipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
1 Kings 1:41 And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it Ras they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?
1 Kings 1:42 And while he yet spake, behold, RJonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.
1 Kings 1:43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.
1 Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king’s mule:
1 Kings 1:45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that Rthe city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.
1 Kings 1:46 RAnd also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.
1 Kings 1:47 And moreover the king’s servants came to Rbless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.
1 Kings 1:48 And also thus said the king, RBlessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.
1 Kings 1:49 And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.
1 Kings 1:50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and Rcaught hold on the horns of the altar.
1 Kings 1:51 And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me today that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
1 Kings 1:52 And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, Rthere shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
1 Kings 1:53 So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and Rbowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 1:1–10 — Adonijah claims the throne
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
As David grows old and Abishag cares for him, Adonijah declares himself king. Joab and Abiathar support him, but other leading servants do not. His feast excludes Solomon and Nathan. Self-exaltation and selective invitations create a public claim before David authorizes the succession.
Key Truth: Ambition should not replace rightful responsibility.
Check What You Remember
1. Who cared for the elderly David? (1 Kings 1:3)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:3 (KJV).
2. Which son declared that he would be king? (1 Kings 1:5)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:5 (KJV).
3. Which priest supported Adonijah? (1 Kings 1:7)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 1:11–31 — Nathan and Bathsheba appeal to David
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Nathan counsels Bathsheba to remind David of his oath concerning Solomon. Both describe Adonijah’s actions and ask David to clarify the succession. David reaffirms his promise to place Solomon on the throne that day. Speaking directly to the responsible person helps expose a decision being made without his knowledge.
Key Truth: Truthful intervention can protect people threatened by a hidden scheme.
Check What You Remember
1. Who advised Bathsheba? (1 Kings 1:11)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:11 (KJV).
2. Which son had David promised would reign? (1 Kings 1:17)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:17 (KJV).
3. When did David say he would fulfill his oath? (1 Kings 1:30)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:30 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 1:32–53 — Solomon is anointed and Adonijah seeks mercy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David orders Solomon to ride his mule to Gihon, where Zadok anoints him amid trumpet calls and celebration. The news disperses Adonijah’s guests. Adonijah takes refuge at the altar and receives a conditional assurance before being sent home. The transfer follows David’s public instruction rather than Adonijah’s self-promotion.
Key Truth: Authority and mercy should be exercised with accountability.
Check What You Remember
1. Where was Solomon anointed? (1 Kings 1:34)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:34 (KJV).
2. Who anointed Solomon with oil? (1 Kings 1:39)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:39 (KJV).
3. What did Adonijah grasp in fear? (1 Kings 1:50)
Find it in 1 Kings 1:50 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Chronicles 22:9 — David’s earlier charge identifies Solomon in God’s promise concerning his successor.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How do you respond when someone’s ambition threatens a responsibility or promise? Consider Nathan’s direct intervention and the importance of truthful, accountable decisions.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How is Adonijah’s effort to become king presented?
2. What distinction does the guest list reveal?
3. Why does Nathan tell Bathsheba to speak to David?
4. How do the prescribed public signs establish Solomon’s appointment?
5. What condition does Solomon attach to Adonijah’s safety?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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