1Ki 2:13-25 | NETfull | STEP | Haggith’s son Adonijah visited Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked, “Do you come in peace?” He answered, “Yes.”

1 Kings 2:13-25

13 Haggith’s son Adonijah visited Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked, “Do you come in peace?” He answered, “Yes.” ^{▼▼ Heb “[in] peace.”} 14 He added, ^{▼▼ Heb “and he said.”} “I have something to say to you.” She replied, “Speak.” 15 He said, “You know that the kingdom ^{▼▼ Or “kingship.”} was mine and all Israel considered me king. ^{▼▼ Heb “set their face to me to be king.”} But then the kingdom was given to my brother, for the Lord decided it should be his. ^{▼▼ Heb “and the kingdom turned about and became my brother’s, for from the Lord it became his.”} 16 Now I’d like to ask you for just one thing. Please don’t refuse me.” ^{▼▼ Heb “Do not turn back my face.”} She said, “Go ahead and ask.” ^{▼▼ Heb “She said, ‘Speak!’”} 17 He said, “Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.” ^{▼▼ Heb “Say to Solomon the king, for he will not turn back your face, that he might give to me Abishag the Shunammite for a wife.”} 18 Bathsheba replied, “That’s fine, ^{▼▼ Heb “[It is] good!”} I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.”

19 So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet ^{▼▼ Or “meet.”} her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, ^{▼▼ Heb “he set up a throne for the mother of the king.”} and she sat at his right hand. 20 She said, “I would like to ask you for just one small favor. ^{▼▼ Or “I’d like to make just one request of you.”} Please don’t refuse me.” ^{▼▼ Heb “Do not turn back my face.”} He said, ^{▼▼ Heb “and the king said to her.”} “Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.” 21 She said, “Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.” 22 King Solomon answered his mother, “Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? ^{▼▼ Heb “for Adonijah.”} Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

23 King Solomon then swore an oath by the Lord, “May God judge me severely, ^{▼▼ Heb “So may God do to me, and so may he add.”} if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life! ^{▼▼ Heb “if with his life Adonijah has not spoken this word.”} 24 Now, as certainly as the Lord lives (he who made me secure, allowed me to sit on my father David’s throne, and established a dynasty ^{▼▼ Heb “house.”} for me as he promised), Adonijah will be executed today!” 25 King Solomon then sent ^{▼▼ The Hebrew text adds, “by the hand of.”} Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah. ^{▼▼ Heb “and he struck him and he died.”}