I Regum 1

1 Et rex David senuerat, habebatque aetatis plurimos dies: cumque operiretur vestibus, non calefiebat.

Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.

2 Dixerunt ergo ei servi sui: Quaeramus domino nostro regi adolescentulam virginem, et stet coram rege, et foveat eum, dormiatque in sinu suo, et calefaciat dominum nostrum regem.

So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.”

3 Quaesierunt igitur adolescentulam speciosam in omnibus finibus Israel, et invenerunt Abisag Sunamitidem, et adduxerunt eam ad regem.

Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

4 Erat autem puella pulchra nimis, dormiebatque cum rege, et ministrabat ei, rex vero non cognovit eam.

The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.

5 Adonias autem filius Haggith elevabatur, dicens: Ego regnabo. Fecitque sibi currus et equites, et quinquaginta viros, qui currerent ante eum.

At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.

6 Nec corripuit eum pater suus aliquando, dicens: Quare hoc fecisti? Erat autem et ipse pulcher valde, secundus natu post Absalom.

(His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)

7 Et sermo ei cum Ioab filio Sarviae, et cum Abiathar sacerdote, qui adiuvabant partes Adoniae.

So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.

8 Sadoc vero sacerdos, et Banaias filius Ioiadae, et Nathan propheta, et Semei, et Cerethi et Phelethi, et robur exercitus David non erat cum Adonia.

But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.

9 Immolatis ergo Adonias arietibus et vitulis, et universis pinguibus iuxta Lapidem zoheleth, qui erat vicinus Fonti rogel, vocavit universos fratres suos filios regis, et omnes viros Iuda servos regis.

And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king.

10 Nathan autem prophetam, et Banaiam, et robustos quosque, et Salomonem fratrem suum non vocavit.

But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.

11 Dixit itaque Nathan ad Bethsabee matrem Salomonis: Num audisti, quod regnaverit Adonias filius Haggith, et dominus noster David hoc ignorat?

Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?

12 Nunc ergo veni, accipe consilium a me, et salva animam tuam, filiique tui Salomonis.

Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

13 Vade, et ingredere ad regem David, et dic ei: Nonne tu domine mi rex iurasti mihi ancillae tuae, dicens: Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me, et ipse sedebit in solio meo? quare ergo regnat Adonias?

Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

14 Et adhuc ibi te loquente cum rege, ego veniam post te, et complebo sermones tuos.

Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 Ingressa est itaque Bethsabee ad regem in cubiculo: rex autem senuerat nimis, et Abisag Sunamitis ministrabat ei.

So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.

16 inclinavit se Bethsabee, et adoravit regem. Ad quam rex, Quid tibi, inquit, vis?

And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?”

17 Quae respondens, ait: Domine mi, tu iurasti per Dominum Deum tuum ancillae tuae, Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me, et ipse sedebit in solio meo.

“My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

18 Et ecce nunc Adonias regnat, te, domine mi rex, ignorante.

But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, did not know it.

19 Mactavit boves, et pinguia quaeque, et arietes plurimos, et vocavit omnes filios regis, Abiathar quoque sacerdotem, et Ioab principem militiae: Salomonem autem servum tuum non vocavit.

And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.

20 Verumtamen domine mi rex, in te oculi respiciunt totius Israel, ut indices eis, quis sedere debeat in solio tuo domine mi rex post te.

And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21 Eritque cum dormierit dominus meus rex cum patribus suis, erimus ego et filius meus Salomon peccatores.

Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be counted as criminals.”

22 Adhuc illa loquente cum rege, Nathan propheta venit.

And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

23 Et nunciaverunt regi, dicentes: Adest Nathan propheta. Cumque introisset in conspectu regis, et adorasset eum pronus in terram,

So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.

24 dixit Nathan: Domine mi rex, tu dixisti: Adonias regnet post me, et ipse sedeat super thronum meum?

“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?

25 Quia descendit hodie, et immolavit boves, et pinguia, et arietes plurimos, et vocavit universos filios regis et principes exercitus, Abiathar quoque sacerdotem: illisque vescentibus, et bibentibus coram eo, et dicentibus: Vivat rex Adonias:

For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

26 Me servum tuum, et Sadoc sacerdotem, et Banaiam filium Ioiadae, et Salomonem famulum tuum non vocavit.

But me your servant he did not invite, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.

27 Numquid a domino meo rege exivit hoc verbum, et mihi non indicasti servo tuo quis sessurus esset super thronum domini mei regis post eum?

Has my lord the king let this happen without informing your servant who should sit on the throne after my lord the king?”

28 Et respondit rex David, dicens: Vocate ad me Bethsabee. Quae cum fuisset ingressa coram rege, et stetisset ante eum,

Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.

29 iuravit rex, et ait: Vivit Dominus, qui eruit animam meam de omni angustia,

And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,

30 quia sicut iuravi tibi per Dominum Deum Israel, dicens: Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me, et ipse sedebit super solium meum pro me: sic faciam hodie.

I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”

31 Summissoque Bethsabee in terram vultu, adoravit regem, dicens: Vivat dominus meus David in aeternum.

Bathsheba bowed facedown in homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”

32 Dixit quoque rex David: Vocate mihi Sadoc sacerdotem, et Nathan prophetam, et Banaiam filium Ioiadae. Qui cum ingressi fuissent coram rege,

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

33 dixit ad eos: Tollite vobiscum servos domini vestri, et imponite Salomonem filium meum super mulam meam: et ducite eum in Gihon.

“Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.

34 et ungat eum ibi Sadoc sacerdos, et Nathan propheta in regem super Israel: et canetis buccina, atque dicetis: Vivat rex Salomon.

There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

35 Et ascendetis post eum, et venietis, et sedebit super solium meum, et ipse regnabit pro me: illique praecipiam ut sit dux super Israel, et super Iudam.

Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 Et respondit Banaias filius Ioiadae, regi, dicens: Amen: sic loquatur Dominus Deus domini mei regis.

“Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it.

37 Quomodo fuit Dominus cum domino meo rege, sic sit cum Salomone, et sublimius faciat solium eius a solio domini mei regis David.

Just as the LORD was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than that of my lord King David.”

38 Descendit ergo Sadoc sacerdos, et Nathan propheta, et Banaias filius Ioiadae, et Cerethi, et Phelethi: et imposuerunt Salomonem super mulam regis David, et adduxerunt eum in Gihon.

Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.

39 Sumpsitque Sadoc sacerdos cornu olei de tabernaculo, et unxit Salomonem: et cecinerunt buccina, et dixit omnis populus: Vivat rex Salomon.

Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”

40 Et ascendit universa multitudo post eum, et populus canentium tibiis, et laetantium gaudio magno, et insonuit terra a clamore eorum.

All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.

41 Audivit autem Adonias, et omnes, qui invitati fuerant ab eo, iamque convivium finitum erat: sed et Ioab, audita voce tubae, ait: Quid sibi vult clamor civitatis tumultuantis?

Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.

42 Adhuc illo loquente, Ionathas filius Abiathar sacerdotis venit: cui dixit Adonias: Ingredere, quia vir fortis es, et bona nuncians.

As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.”

43 Responditque Ionathas Adoniae: Nequaquam: Dominus enim noster rex David regem constituit Salomonem:

“Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.

44 misitque cum eo Sadoc sacerdotem, et Nathan prophetam, et Banaiam filium Ioiadae, et Cerethi, et Phelethi, et imposuerunt eum super mulam regis.

And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule.

45 Unxeruntque eum Sadoc sacerdos, et Nathan propheta regem in Gihon: et ascenderunt inde laetantes, et insonuit civitas: haec est vox, quam audistis.

Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there with rejoicing that rings out in the city. That is the noise you hear.

46 Sed et Salomon sedet super solium regni.

Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne.

47 Et ingressi servi regis benedixerunt domino nostro regi David, dicentes: Amplificet Deus nomen Salomonis super nomen tuum, et magnificet thronus eius super thronum tuum. Et adoravit rex in lectulo suo:

The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed,

48 et locutus est: Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel, qui dedit hodie sedentem in solio meo, videntibus oculis meis.

saying, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! Today He has provided one to sit on my throne, and my eyes have seen it.’”

49 Territi sunt ergo, et surrexerunt omnes, qui invitati fuerant ab Adonia, et ivit unusquisque in viam suam.

At this, all the guests of Adonijah arose in terror and scattered.

50 Adonias autem timens Salomonem, surrexit, et abiit in tabernaculum Domini, tenuitque cornu altaris.

But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.

51 Et nunciaverunt Salomoni, dicentes: Ecce Adonias timens regem Salomonem, tenuit cornu altaris, dicens: Iuret mihi rex Salomon hodie, quod non interficiat servum suum gladio.

It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’”

52 Dixitque Salomon: Si fuerit vir bonus, non cadet ne unus quidem capillus eius in terram: sin autem malum inventum fuerit in eo, morietur.

And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.”

53 Misit ergo rex Salomon, et eduxit eum ab altari: et ingressus adoravit regem Salomonem: dixitque ei Salomon: Vade in domum tuam.

So King Solomon summoned Adonijah down from the altar, and he came and bowed down before King Solomon, who said to him, “Go to your home.”