1 Kings 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 22

1 And King David was old, going into days. And they covered him with garments, for he had no heat.

2 And his servants said to him, Let them seek out a young woman for my lord the king, a virgin, and she shall stand before the king, and be a nurse to him, and lie in your bosom, and my lord the king shall have heat.

3 And they sought out a beautiful young woman in all the border of Israel. And they found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her in to the king.

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Chapter Summary

Abishag gives warmth to David in his last days. Adonijah lusts for the kingdom. David renews his oath to Bath-sheba. Solomon being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people cheer.

Key Hebrew Words

מָלַךְ reign, be king H4427 · TWOT 1200
כִּסֵּא throne H3678 · TWOT 1007
מָשַׁח anoint H4886 · TWOT 1255
שָׁבַע swear an oath H7650 · TWOT 2319
כֹּהֵן priest H3548 · TWOT 959a
מֶ֫לֶךְ king H4428 · TWOT 1199a

People & Context

David

The aged king who, dying, swears the kingdom to Solomon and orders his anointing.

Adonijah

David's son by Haggith who exalts himself to reign, holds a feast, and is later spared by Solomon.

Solomon

David's son by Bath-sheba, anointed king at Gihon and seated on the throne.

Bath-sheba

Solomon's mother who, counseled by Nathan, secures David's oath that Solomon will reign.

Nathan

The prophet who exposes Adonijah's plot and helps anoint Solomon as king.

Zadok

The priest who takes the horn of oil from the Tabernacle and anoints Solomon at Gihon.

Timeline

David's Old Age and Abishag's Service

King David is old and cannot keep warm, so his servants seek a young virgin, Abishag the Shunammite, to serve as his nurse and provide him heat.

1 Kings 1:1-4
Adonijah Exalts Himself

Adonijah, son of Haggith, declares he will reign, prepares chariots and horsemen, and conspires with Joab and Abiathar the priest, though Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan remain loyal to David.

1 Kings 1:5-8
Adonijah's Sacrificial Feast

Adonijah sacrifices animals near En-rogel and invites all his brothers and the men of Judah, but purposefully excludes Nathan, Benaiah, Solomon, and the mighty men.

1 Kings 1:9-10

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