1 Ahemfo 1

1 Bere a Ɔhene Dawid bɔɔ akwakoraa posoposo no, sɛ wɔde ntama ahe kuru ne ho koraa a, entumi nka no hyew koraa.

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

2 Enti nʼafotufo kae se, “Momma yɛmpɛ ɔbabun bi mma ɔhene na ɔtena ne ho nhwɛ no. Ɔbɛda ne kokom, na ama yɛn wura ɔhene ho ayɛ no hyew.”

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 Enti wokyin ɔman no mu nyinaa, hwehwɛɛ ɔbea hoɔfɛfo bi. Wokonyaa Abisag a ofi Sunam, na wɔde no brɛɛ ɔhene no.

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

4 Na ɔyɛ ɔbabea hoɔfɛfo, na ɔno na ɔbɛhwɛɛ ɔhene. Nanso ɔhene no amfa ne ho anka no.

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

5 Saa bere no mu Dawid babarima Adoniya a na wɔfrɛ ne na Hagit no yɛɛ ahomaso kaa se obesi ne ho hene, ahyɛ nʼagya a wabɔ akwakoraa no anan mu. Enti ɔyɛɛ nteaseɛnam, pɛɛ apɔnkɔ kaa ho. Ɔpɛɛ mmarima aduonum, twee nteaseɛnam no ne apɔnkɔ no dii nʼanim.

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 Na nʼagya, ɔhene Dawid, nteɛɛ no da, mpo sɛ obebisa no se, “Dɛn na woreyɛ yi?” Na Adoniya yɛ ɔbarima hoɔfɛfo. Ɔno na na odi Absalom akyi wɔ awo mu.

(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 Adoniya gyee Seruia babarima Yoab ne ɔsɔfo Abiatar too mu, na wɔn nso penee sɛ wɔbɛboa no ama wadi ɔhene.

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

8 Na wɔn a wɔtaa Dawid akyi, na wɔampɛ sɛ wɔboa Adoniya na odi hene no bi ne ɔsɔfo Sadok, Yehoiada babarima Benaia, odiyifo Natan, Simei, Rei ne Dawid ho bammɔfo.

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

9 Adoniya kɔɔ Sohelet Bo a ɛbɛn En-Rogel asuti ho. Ɛhɔ na ɔde nguan, anantwi ne anantwi mma bɔɔ afɔre. Ɔtoo nsa frɛɛ ne nuabarimanom nyinaa, ɔhene Dawid mmabarima no, ne Yuda adehye mpanyimfo.

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 Nanso wamfrɛ odiyifo Natan anaa Benaia anaa ɔhene ho bammɔfo anaa ne nuabarima Salomo.

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

11 Na odiyifo Natan kɔɔ Batseba a ɔyɛ Salomo na no nkyɛn kobisaa no se, “Wunim sɛ Hagit babarima Adoniya asi ne ho hene a yɛn wura Dawid mpo nnim ho hwee?

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 Sɛ wopɛ sɛ wunya wo ti didi mu, na wugye wo babarima Salomo nso nkwa a, tie mʼafotu yi.

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

13 Kɔ ɔhene Dawid nkyɛn ntɛm so, na kobisa no se, ‘Me wura, ɛnyɛ wo na wohyɛɛ me bɔ sɛ, me babarima Salomo na da bi obedi wʼade sɛ ɔhene, na watena wʼahengua no so? Na adɛn nti na Adoniya ayɛ ɔhene?’

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 Na bere a wugu so ne no rekasa no, mɛba abesi asɛm biara a woaka no so dua.”

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

15 Na Batseba kɔɔ ɔhene pia mu. Afei, na wabɔ akwakoraa posoposo a Abisag na na ɔhwɛ no.

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

16 Batseba kotow no, na ɔhene no bisaa no se, “Dɛn na menyɛ mma wo?”

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

17 Obuaa no se, “Me wura, wugyina Awurade, wo Nyankopɔn, anim hyɛɛ me bɔ sɛ, me babarima Salomo na obedi wʼade, na watena wʼahengua so.

“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 Nanso mprempren de, Adoniya na wabɛyɛ ɔhene foforo a mpo, wunnim ho hwee.

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

19 Ɔde anantwi ne anantwi mma a wɔadodɔ srade ne nguan abɔ afɔre. Na ɔtoo nsa frɛɛ wo mmabarima nyinaa ne ɔsɔfo Abiatar ne Yoab a ɔyɛ asraafo no sahene no. Nanso wanto nsa amfrɛ wo somfo Salomo bi.

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 Na me wura ɔhene, Israel nyinaa retwɛn nea wobɛkyerɛ sɛ onni wʼade sɛ ɔhene.

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 Na sɛ woanyɛ biribi na sɛ wunya kɔ wo kra akyi pɛ a, wɔbɛyɛ me ne me ba Salomo sɛ amumɔyɛfo.”

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

22 Ogu so ne no rekasa no ara pɛ na, odiyifo Natan beduu hɔ.

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

23 Ɔhene afotufo no ka kyerɛɛ no se, “Odiyifo Natan aba ha, na ɔpɛ sɛ ohu wo.” Natan kɔɔ mu kɔkotow ɔhene no.

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

24 Obisae se, “Me wura, woayɛ wʼadwene sɛ Adoniya na onni wʼade, na ɔntena wʼahengua so ana?

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

25 Nnɛ, ɔde anantwi, anantwi mma a wɔadodɔ srade ne nguan abɔ afɔre, na ɔtoo nsa frɛɛ wo mmabarima nyinaa maa wɔbaa afahyɛ no ase. Ɔfrɛɛ Yoab a ɔyɛ asraafo so sahene no ne ɔsɔfo Abiatar nso. Merekasa yi, wɔne no redidi, nom, teɛteɛ mu se, ‘Ɔhene Adoniya nkwa so!’

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 Na me a meyɛ wo somfo no, wanto nsa amfrɛ me; saa ara nso na wamfrɛ ɔsɔfo Sadok, Yehoiada babarima Benaia ne Salomo nso.

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

27 Ɛyɛ nokware sɛ me wura ayɛ saa a wamma nʼasomfo no mu biara ante onipa a obedi nʼade sɛ ɔhene no ho hwee?”

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

28 Dawid kae se, “Momfrɛ Batseba mma me.” Na ɔbaa ɔhene anim begyinaa hɔ.

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

29 Na ɔhene hyɛɛ bɔ se, “Mmere dodow a Awurade a ogyee me fii ɔhaw ne abɛbrɛsɛ mu da so te ase yi,

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

30 nnɛ, mehyɛ mmara sɛ, wo babarima Salomo na obedi ade sɛ ɔhene, na ɔbɛtena mʼahengua so, sɛnea mekaa ntam kyerɛɛ wo wɔ Awurade, Israel Nyankopɔn, anim no.”

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 Na Batseba san kotow no bio, na ɔteɛɛ mu se, “Me wura, ɔhene Dawid, ntena ase afebɔɔ!”

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

32 Na ɔhene Dawid hyɛɛ se, “Momfrɛ ɔsɔfo Sadok, odiyifo Natan ne Yehoiada babarima Benaia mma me.” Wɔbaa ɔhene anim no,

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 ɔhene ka kyerɛɛ wɔn se, “Momfa Salomo ne me mpanyimfo no nkɔ Gihon asuti no ho. Salomo ntena mʼafurumpɔnkɔ so.

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

34 Ɛhɔ na ɔsɔfo Sadok ne odiyifo Natan bɛsra no ngo sɛ Israelhene. Monhyɛn torobɛnto, na monteɛteɛ mu se, ‘Ɔhene Salomo nkwa so!’

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 Na sɛ mosan de no ba ha a, ɔbɛtena mʼahengua so. Obedi mʼade sɛ ɔhene, efisɛ mayi no sɛ ɔnyɛ ɔhene wɔ Israel ne Yuda so.”

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 Yehoiada babarima Benaia gyee so se, “Amen! Awurade a ɔyɛ me wura, ɔhene Nyankopɔn no mmara no mmra mu saa.

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

37 Na Awurade nka Salomo ho sɛnea ɔkaa wo ho no, na Salomo ahenni nyɛ yiye nkyɛn wo de no mpo.”

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 Enti ɔsɔfo Sadok, odiyifo Natan ne Yehoiada babarima Benaia ne ɔhene ho bammɔfo faa Salomo de no kɔɔ Gihon asuti no ho a, na Salomo te ɔhene Dawid afurumpɔnkɔ so.

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 Ɛhɔ na ɔsɔfo Sadok faa ngotoa fii ntamadan kronkron mu hɔ behwie guu Salomo tirim. Afei, wɔhyɛn torobɛnto maa nnipa no nyinaa teɛteɛɛ mu se, “Ɔhene Salomo nkwa so!”

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 Na nnipa no nyinaa san ne Salomo kɔɔ Yerusalem a wɔrebɔ mmɛn, di ahurusi. Na anigye ne ahosɛpɛw ne nteɛteɛmu no ano yɛɛ den ara kosii sɛ, wɔn nne no wosow asase.

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

41 Adoniya ne nʼahɔho tee osebɔ ne nteɛteɛmu bere a wɔreyɛ awie wɔn aponto no. Yoab tee torobɛnto nne no, obisae se, “Na asɛm bɛn na asi? Na adɛn nso na kurow no mu ayɛ gyegyeegye yi?”

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 Bere a ogu so rekasa no, Yonatan a ɔyɛ ɔsɔfo Abiatar babarima no kɔɔ hɔ. Adoniya ka kyerɛɛ no se, “Bra mu, efisɛ woyɛ onipa papa. Minim sɛ asɛm pa wɔ wʼano.”

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 Yonatan buae se, “Dabi da! Mprempren ara, yɛn wura ɔhene Dawid, asi Salomo ɔhene.

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

44 Ɔhene no maa ɔne ɔsɔfo Sadok, odiyifo Natan, Yehoiada babarima Benaia a ɔhene ho bammɔfo rebɔ wɔn ho ban, kɔɔ Gihon asuti ho. Wɔmaa no tenaa ɔhene afurumpɔnkɔ so,

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 na Sadok ne Natan sraa no ngo sɛ ɔhene foforo. Wɔreba ara ni, na kurow mu no nyinaa agye bum ahokeka so. Gyegyeegye no nkyerɛase ara ne no.

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 Afei, mprempren, Salomo te ahengua so sɛ ɔhene.

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

47 Adehye mpanyimfo nyinaa kɔɔ ɔhene Dawid nkyɛn, kɔmaa no mo, kae se, ‘Onyankopɔn mma Salomo ahenni nhyeta nkyɛn wo de no, na Salomo ahemman nso nyɛ kɛse nsen wo de no!’ Na ɔhene sii ne ti ase yii Awurade ayɛ, bere a na ɔda ne mpa mu,

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 na ɔkaa saa nsɛm yi, ‘Nhyira nka Awurade, Israel Nyankopɔn, a nnɛ da yi wayi obi sɛ ɔntena mʼahengua so wɔ bere a mete ase, na mihu nea ɛrekɔ so nyinaa.’”

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 Ɛhɔ ara, Adoniya ahɔho no nyinaa de hu gyee bum, fii aponto no ase, na ntɛm so, obiara kɔɔ ne kwan.

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

50 Na Adoniya no ankasa suro Salomo, enti oguan kɔɔ ntamadan kronkron no mu kosusoo mmɛn a esisi afɔremuka no so no mu.

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

51 Ankyɛ na Salomo tee sɛ Adoniya akosuso mmɛn a esisi afɔremuka no so, na ɔresrɛ se, “Momma Salomo nsua nkyerɛ nnɛ yi ara, na wankum me!”

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 Salomo buae se, “Sɛ obedi me nokware de a, wɔrenhaw no. Na sɛ wanyɛ saa de a, wobekum no.”

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 Enti ɔhene Salomo frɛɛ Adoniya, na wɔde no fi afɔremuka no so kɔe. Ɔkotow ɔhene no, na Salomo ka kyerɛɛ no se, “Kɔ fie.”

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.”