1 Ahemfo 1

1 Afei, na ɔhene Dawid anyini yie, na sɛ wɔde nnasoɔ ahe ara kuru ne ho koraa a, ɛnka ne ho hye koraa.

Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

2 Enti, nʼafotufoɔ ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Yɛbɛpɛ ɔbaabunu bi ama wo a ɔbɛtena wo ho ahwɛ wo. Ɔbɛda wo kokom, na ama wo ho ayɛ wo hye.”

Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

3 Enti, wɔkyinii ɔman no mu nyinaa, hwehwɛɛ ɔbaa hoɔfɛfoɔ bi. Wɔkɔnyaa Abisag a ɔfiri Sunam, na wɔde no brɛɛ ɔhene no.

So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

4 Na ɔyɛ abaayewa hoɔfɛfoɔ, na ɔno na ɔbɛhwɛɛ ɔhene. Nanso, na ɔhene no ne no nni nna mu ayɔnkofa biara.

And the damsel was very fair; and she cherished the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.

5 Saa ɛberɛ no mu Dawid babarima Adoniya a na wɔfrɛ ne maame Hagit no yɛɛ ahomasoɔ kaa sɛ ɔbɛsi ne ho ɔhene, ahyɛ nʼagya a wabɔ akɔkoraa no ananmu. Enti, ɔyɛɛ nteaseɛnam, pɛɛ apɔnkɔ kaa ho. Ɔpɛɛ mmarima aduonum, twii nteaseɛnam no ne apɔnkɔ no dii nʼanim.

Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

6 Na nʼagya, ɔhene Dawid, nteaa no da, mpo sɛ ɔbɛbisa no sɛ, “Ɛdeɛn na woreyɛ yi?” Na Adoniya yɛ ɔbarima hoɔfɛfoɔ. Ɔno na na ɔdi Absalom akyi wɔ awoɔ mu.

And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he was also a very goodly man; and he was born after Absalom.

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

And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.

8 Na wɔn a wɔtaa Dawid akyi, na wɔampɛ sɛ wɔboa Adoniya na ɔdi ɔhene no bi ne ɔsɔfoɔ Sadok, Yehoiada babarima Benaia, odiyifoɔ Natan, Simei, Rei ne Dawid ho banbɔfoɔ.

But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men that belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

9 Adoniya kɔɔ Sohelet boɔ a ɛbɛn En-Rogel asutire ho. Ɛhɔ na ɔde nnwan, anantwie ne anantwie mma bɔɔ afɔdeɛ. Ɔtoo nsa frɛɛ ne nuammarima nyinaa, ɔhene Dawid mmammarima no, ne Yuda adehyeɛ mpanimfoɔ.

And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he called all his brethren, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants:

10 Nanso, wamfrɛ odiyifoɔ Natan anaa Benaia anaa ɔhene ho banbɔfoɔ anaa ne nuabarima Salomo.

but Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

11 Na odiyifoɔ Natan kɔɔ Batseba a ɔyɛ Salomo maame no nkyɛn kɔbisaa no sɛ, “Wonim sɛ Hagit babarima Adoniya asi ne ho ɔhene a yɛn wura Dawid mpo nnim ho hwee?

Then Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

12 Sɛ wopɛ sɛ wonya wo tiri didi mu, na wogye wo babarima Salomo nso nkwa a, tie mʼafotuo yi.

Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

13 Kɔ ɔhene Dawid nkyɛn ntɛm so, na kɔbisa no sɛ, ‘Me wura, ɛnyɛ wo na wohyɛɛ me bɔ sɛ, me babarima Salomo na da bi ɔbɛdi wʼadeɛ sɛ ɔhene, na watena wʼahennwa no so? Na adɛn enti na Adoniya ayɛ ɔhene?’

Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

14 Na ɛberɛ a wɔgu so ne no rekasa no, mɛba abɛsi asɛm biara a woaka no so dua.”

Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.

15 Na Batseba kɔɔ ɔhene piam. Afei, na wabɔ akɔkoraa posoposo a Abisag na na ɔhwɛ no.

And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering unto the king.

16 Batseba kotoo no, na ɔhene no bisaa no sɛ, “Ɛdeɛn na menyɛ mma wo?”

And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

17 Ɔbuaa no sɛ, “Me wura, wogyina Awurade, wo Onyankopɔn, anim hyɛɛ me bɔ sɛ, me babarima Salomo na ɔbɛdi wʼadeɛ, na watena wʼahennwa so.

And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by Jehovah thy God unto thy handmaid, [saying], Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

18 Nanso, ɛwiee aseɛ no, Adoniya na wabɛyɛ ɔhene foforɔ a mpo, wonnim ho hwee.

And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not:

19 Ɔde anantwie ne anantwie mma a wɔadɔre sradeɛ ne nnwan abɔ afɔdeɛ. Na ɔtoo nsa frɛɛ wo mmammarima nyinaa ne ɔsɔfoɔ Abiatar ne Yoab a ɔyɛ akodɔm sahene no. Nanso, wanto nsa amfrɛ wo ɔsomfoɔ Salomo bi.

and he hath slain oxen and fatlings 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.

20 Na, me wura ɔhene, Israel nyinaa retwɛn deɛ wobɛkyerɛ sɛ ɔnni wʼadeɛ sɛ ɔhene.

And thou, my lord the king, the 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.

21 Na sɛ woanyɛ biribi na sɛ wonya kɔ wo kra akyi pɛ a, wɔbɛyɛ me ne me ba Salomo sɛ awudifoɔ.”

Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

22 Ɔgu so ne no rekasa no ara pɛ na, odiyifoɔ Natan bɛduruu hɔ.

And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

23 Ɔhene afotufoɔ no ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Odiyifoɔ Natan aba ha, na ɔpɛ sɛ ɔhunu woɔ.” Natan kɔɔ mu kɔkotoo ɔhene no.

And they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

24 Ɔbisaa sɛ, “Me wura, woayɛ wʼadwene sɛ Adoniya na ɔnni wʼadeɛ, na ɔntena wʼahennwa so anaa?

And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

25 Ɛnnɛ, ɔde anantwie, anantwie mma a wɔadɔre sradeɛ ne nnwan abɔ afɔdeɛ, na ɔtoo nsa frɛɛ wo mmammarima nyinaa, ma wɔbaa afahyɛ no ase. Ɔfrɛɛ Yoab a ɔyɛ akodɔm sahene no ne ɔsɔfoɔ Abiatar nso. Merekasa yi, wɔne no redidi, nom, teateam sɛ, ‘Ɔhene Adoniya nkwa so!’

For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fatlings 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 are eating and drinking before him, and say, [Long] live king Adonijah.

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

But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

27 Ɛyɛ nokorɛ sɛ me wura ayɛ saa a wamma nʼasomfoɔ no mu biara ante onipa a ɔbɛdi nʼadeɛ sɛ ɔhene no ho hwee?”

Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not showed unto thy servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

28 Dawid kaa sɛ, “Momfrɛ Batseba mma me.” Na ɔbaa ɔhene anim bɛgyinaa hɔ.

Then king David answered and said, Call to me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.

29 Na ɔhene hyɛɛ bɔ sɛ, “Mmerɛ dodoɔ a Awurade a ɔgyee me firii ɔhaw ne abɛbrɛsɛ mu da so te ase yi,

And the king sware, and said, As Jehovah liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

30 ɛnnɛ, mehyɛ mmara sɛ, wo babarima Salomo na ɔbɛdi adeɛ sɛ ɔhene, na ɔbɛtena mʼahennwa so, sɛdeɛ mekaa ntam kyerɛɛ wo wɔ Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, anim no.”

verily as I sware unto thee by Jehovah, the God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; verily so will I do this day.

31 Na Batseba sane kotoo no bio, na ɔteaam sɛ, “Me wura, ɔhene Dawid, ntena ase afebɔɔ!”

Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did obeisance to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

32 Na ɔhene Dawid hyɛɛ sɛ, “Momfrɛ ɔsɔfoɔ Sadok, odiyifoɔ Natan ne Yehoiada babarima Benaia mma me.” Wɔbaa ɔhene anim no,

And king David said, Call to me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.

33 ɔhene ka kyerɛɛ wɔn sɛ, “Momfa Salomo ne me mpanimfoɔ no nkɔ Gihon asutire no ho. Salomo ntena mʼafunumpɔnkɔ so.

And the king said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

34 Ɛhɔ na ɔsɔfoɔ Sadok ne odiyifoɔ Natan bɛsra no ngo sɛ Israelhene. Monhyɛn totorobɛnto, na monteateam sɛ, ‘Ɔhene Salomo nkwa so!’

and let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel; and blow ye the trumpet, and say, [Long] live king Solomon.

35 Na sɛ mosane de no ba ha a, ɔbɛtena mʼahennwa so. Ɔbɛdi mʼadeɛ sɛ ɔhene, ɛfiri sɛ, mayi no sɛ ɔnyɛ ɔhene wɔ Israel ne Yuda so.”

Then ye shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead; and I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.

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

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: Jehovah, the God of my lord the king, say so [too].

37 Na Awurade nka Salomo ho sɛdeɛ ɔkaa wo ho no, na Salomo ahennie nyɛ yie nkyɛn wo deɛ no mpo.”

As Jehovah 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.

38 Enti, ɔsɔfoɔ Sadok, odiyifoɔ Natan ne Yehoiada babarima Benaia ne ɔhene ho banbɔfoɔ faa Salomo de no kɔɔ Gihon asutire no ho a, na Salomo te ɔhene Dawid afunumpɔnkɔ so.

So Zadok 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.

39 Ɛhɔ na ɔsɔfoɔ Sadok faa ngotoa firii ntomadan kronkron mu hɔ bɛhwie guu Salomo tirim. Afei, wɔhyɛn totorobɛnto maa nnipa no nyinaa teateaam sɛ, “Ɔhene Salomo nkwa so!”

And Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the Tent, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, [Long] live king Solomon.

40 Na nnipa no nyinaa sane ne Salomo kɔɔ Yerusalem a wɔrebɔ mmɛn, di ahurisie. Na anigyeɛ ne ahosɛpɛ ne nteateam no ano yɛɛ den ara kɔsii sɛ, wɔn nne no wosoo asase.

And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

41 Adoniya ne nʼahɔhoɔ tee osebɔ ne nteateam ɛberɛ a wɔreyɛ awie wɔn apontoɔ no. Na Yoab tee totorobɛnto nne no, ɔbisaa sɛ, “Na asɛm bɛn na asie? Na adɛn nso na kuro no mu ayɛ gyegyeegye yi?”

And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as 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?

42 Ɛberɛ a ɔgu so rekasa no, Yonatan a ɔyɛ ɔsɔfoɔ Abiatar babarima no kɔɔ hɔ. Adoniya ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Bra mu, ɛfiri sɛ, woyɛ onipa papa. Minim sɛ asɛm pa wɔ wʼano.”

While he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said, Come in; for thou art a worthy man, and bringest good tidings.

43 Yonatan buaa sɛ, “Dabi! Seesei ara, yɛn wura ɔhene Dawid, asi Salomo ɔhene.

And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king:

44 Ɔhene no maa ɔne ɔsɔfoɔ Sadok, odiyifoɔ Natan, Yehoiada babarima Benaia a ɔhene ho banbɔfoɔ rebɔ wɔn ho ban, kɔɔ Gihon asutire ho. Wɔmaa no tenaa ɔhene afunumpɔnkɔ so,

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;

45 ɛnna Sadok ne Natan sraa no ngo sɛ ɔhene foforɔ. Wɔreba ara ni, na kuro mu no nyinaa agye bum ahokeka so. Gyegyeegye no asekyerɛ ara ne no.

and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon; and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.

46 Afei, seesei, Salomo te ahennwa so sɛ ɔhene.

And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.

47 Adehyeɛ mpanimfoɔ nyinaa kɔɔ ɔhene Dawid nkyɛn, kɔmaa no amo, kaa sɛ, ‘Onyankopɔn mma Salomo ahennie nhyeta nkyɛn wo deɛ no, na Salomo ahemman nso nyɛ kɛseɛ nsene wo deɛ no!’ Na ɔhene sii ne tiri ase yii Awurade ayɛ, ɛberɛ a na ɔda ne mpa mu,

And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, Thy 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.

48 na ɔkaa saa nsɛm yi, ‘Nhyira nka Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, a ɛnnɛ da yi wayi obi sɛ ɔntena mʼahennwa so wɔ ɛberɛ a mete ase, na mehunu deɛ ɛrekɔ so nyinaa.’”

And also thus said the king, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, who hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.

49 Ɛhɔ ara, Adoniya ahɔhoɔ no nyinaa de ehu gyee bum, firii apontoɔ no ase, na ntɛm so, obiara kɔɔ ne kwan.

And all the guests of Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.

50 Na Adoniya no ankasa suro Salomo, enti ɔdwane kɔɔ ntomadan kronkron no mu kɔsosɔɔ mmɛn a ɛsisi afɔrebukyia no so no mu.

And Adonijah feared because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

51 Ankyɛre na Salomo tee sɛ Adoniya akɔsosɔ mmɛn a ɛsisi afɔrebukyia no so, na ɔresrɛ sɛ, “Momma Salomo nsuae nkyerɛ ɛnnɛ yi ara, na wankum me!”

And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon; for, lo, he hath laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me first that he will not slay his servant with the sword.

52 Salomo buaa sɛ, “Sɛ ɔbɛdi me nokorɛ deɛ a, wɔrenha no. Na sɛ wanyɛ saa deɛ a, wɔbɛkum no.”

And Solomon said, If he shall show himself a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth; but if wickedness be found in him, he shall die.

53 Enti, ɔhene Salomo frɛɛ Adoniya, na wɔde no firi afɔrebukyia no so kɔeɛ. Ɔkotoo ɔhene no, na Salomo ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Kɔ efie.”

So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and did obeisance to king Solomon; and Solomon said unto him, Go to thy house.