1 Kings 1 – read and compare multiple versions of the Bible

World English Bible

1 Kings 1 (WEBP)

[1] Now King David was old and advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he couldn’t keep warm.
[2] Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.”
[3] So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
[4] The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.
[5] Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
[6] His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.
[7] He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.
[8] But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
[9] Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;
[10] but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.
[11] Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?
[12] Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.
[13] Go in to King David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then does Adonijah reign?’
[14] Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”
[15] Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.
[16] Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”
[17] She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Yahweh your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’
[18] Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.
[19] He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.
[20] You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
[21] Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”
[22] Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.
[23] They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!” When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
[24] Nathan said, “My lord, King, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’?
[25] For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
[26] But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.
[27] Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
[28] Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.
[29] The king vowed and said, “As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
[30] most certainly as I swore to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”
[31] Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!”
[32] King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king.
[33] The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
[34] Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the trumpet, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
[35] Then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne; for he shall be king in my place. I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.”
[36] Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, “Amen. May Yahweh, the God of my lord the king, say so.
[37] As Yahweh has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”
[38] So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
[39] Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet; and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
[40] All the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound.
[41] Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they had finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “Why is this noise of the city being in an uproar?”
[42] While he yet spoke, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said, “Come in; for you are a worthy man, and bring good news.”
[43] Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Most certainly our lord King David has made Solomon king.
[44] The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule.
[45] Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon. They have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you have heard.
[46] Also, Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom.
[47] Moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne;’ and the king bowed himself on the bed.
[48] Also thus said the king, ‘Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne today, my eyes even seeing it.’ ”
[49] All the guests of Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and each man went his way.
[50] Adonijah was afraid because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and hung onto the horns of the altar.
[51] Solomon was told, “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon; for, behold, he is hanging onto the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’ ”
[52] Solomon said, “If he shows himself a worthy man, not a hair of his shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”
[53] So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

1 Kings 1:14 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
1 Kings 1:17a “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.
1 Kings 1:17b The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

Scripture quotations are taken from The World English Bible™ of eBible.org, 2020 stable text edition. It is in the public domain.

King James w/Strong’s #s

1 Kings 1 (KJVS)

[1] Now king David was old () [and] stricken () in years ; and they covered () him with clothes , but he gat no heat ().
[2] 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 let her cherish () him, and let her lie () in thy bosom , that my lord the king may get heat ().
[3] So they sought () for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel , and found () Abishag a Shunammite , and brought () her to the king .
[4] And the damsel [was] very fair , and cherished () the king , and ministered () to him: but the king knew () her not.
[5] 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] And his father had not displeased () him at any time in saying (), Why hast thou done so ()? and he also [was a] very goodly [man]; and [his mother] bare () him after Absalom .
[7] And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah , and with Abiathar the priest : and they following Adonijah helped () [him].
[8] But Zadok the priest , and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada , and Nathan the prophet , and Shimei , and Rei , and the mighty men which [belonged] to David , were not with Adonijah .
[9] And Adonijah slew () sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth , which [is] by Enrogel , and called () all his brethren the king’s sons , and all the men of Judah the king’s servants :
[10] But Nathan the prophet , and Benaiah , and the mighty men , and Solomon his brother , he called () not.
[11] Wherefore Nathan spake () unto Bathsheba 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] 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] Go () and get thee in () unto king David , and say () unto him, Didst not thou, my lord , O king , swear () unto thine handmaid , saying (), Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign () after me, and he shall sit () upon my throne ? why then doth Adonijah reign ()?
[14] Behold, while thou yet talkest () there with the king , I also will come in () after thee, and confirm () thy words .
[15] And Bathsheba went in () unto the king into the chamber : and the king was very old (); and Abishag the Shunammite ministered () unto the king .
[16] And Bathsheba bowed (), and did obeisance () unto the king . And the king said (), What wouldest thou?
[17] And she said () unto him, My lord , thou swarest () by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid , [saying], Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign () after me, and he shall sit () upon my throne .
[18] And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth (); and now, my lord the king , thou knowest () [it] not:
[19] And he hath slain () oxen and fat cattle 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] And thou, my lord , O 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] Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep () with his fathers , that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders .
[22] And, lo, while she yet talked () with the king , Nathan the prophet also came in ().
[23] 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] And Nathan said (), My lord , O king , hast thou said (), Adonijah shall reign () after me, and he shall sit () upon my throne ?
[25] For he is gone down () this day , and hath slain () oxen and fat cattle 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 eat () and drink () before him, and say (), God save () king Adonijah .
[26] 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] Is this thing done () by my lord the king , and thou hast not shewed () [it] unto thy servant , who should sit () on the throne of my lord the king after him?
[28] Then king David answered () and said (), Call () me Bathsheba . And she came () into the king’s presence , and stood () before the king .
[29] And the king sware (), and said (), [As] the LORD liveth , that hath redeemed () my soul out of all distress ,
[30] Even as I sware () unto thee by the LORD God of Israel , saying (), Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign () after me, and he shall sit () upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do () this day .
[31] Then Bathsheba bowed () with [her] face to the earth , and did reverence () to the king , and said (), Let my lord king David live () for ever .
[32] And king David said (), Call () me Zadok the priest , and Nathan the prophet , and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada . And they came () before the king .
[33] The king also 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] And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint () him there king over Israel : and blow () ye with the trumpet , and say (), God save () king Solomon .
[35] Then ye shall come up () after him, that he may come () and sit () upon my throne ; for he shall be king () in my stead: and I have appointed () him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah .
[36] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered () the king , and said (), Amen : the LORD God of my lord the king say () so [too].
[37] As the LORD 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] 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] And Zadok the priest took () an horn of oil out of the tabernacle , and anointed () Solomon . And they blew () the trumpet ; and all the people said (), God save () king Solomon .
[40] 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] 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] And while he yet spake (), behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came (): and Adonijah said () unto him, Come in (); for thou [art] a valiant man () , and bringest good tidings ().
[43] And Jonathan answered () and said () to Adonijah , Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king ().
[44] 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] 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] And also Solomon sitteth () on the throne of the kingdom .
[47] And moreover the king’s servants came () to bless () our lord king David , saying (), 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] And also thus said () the king , Blessed () [be] the LORD God of Israel , which hath given () [one] to sit () on my throne this day , mine eyes even seeing () [it].
[49] And all the guests () that [were] with Adonijah were afraid (), and rose up (), and went () every man his way .
[50] And Adonijah feared () because of Solomon , and arose (), and went (), and caught hold () on the horns of the altar .
[51] And it was told () Solomon , saying (), Behold, Adonijah feareth () king Solomon : for, lo, he hath caught hold () on the horns of the altar , saying (), Let king Solomon swear () unto me to day that he will not slay () his servant with the sword .
[52] And Solomon said (), If he will shew himself a worthy man , there shall not an hair of him fall () to the earth : but if wickedness shall be found () in him, he shall die ().
[53] So king Solomon sent (), and they brought him down () from the altar . And he came () and bowed () himself to king Solomon : and Solomon said () unto him, Go () to thine house .

Young’s Literal Translation

1 Kings 1 (YLT)

[1] And king David is old, entering into days, and they cover him with garments, and he hath no heat,
[2] and his servants say to him, ‘Let them seek for my lord the king a young woman, a virgin, and she hath stood before the king, and is to him a companion, and hath lain in thy bosom, and my lord the king hath heat.’
[3] And they seek a fair young woman in all the border of Israel, and find Abishag the Shunammite, and bring her in to the king,
[4] and the young woman is very very fair, and she is to the king a companion, and serveth him, and the king hath not known her.
[5] And Adonijah son of Haggith is lifting himself up, saying, ‘I do reign;’ and he prepareth for himself a chariot and horsemen, and fifty men running before him,
[6] and his father hath not grieved him all his days, saying, ‘Wherefore thus hast thou done?’ and he also is of a very good form, and his mother bare him after Absalom.
[7] And his words are with Joab son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, and they help after Adonijah;
[8] and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty ones whom David hath, have not been with Adonijah.
[9] And Adonijah sacrificeth sheep and oxen and fatlings near the stone of Zoheleth, that is by En-Rogel, and calleth all his brethren, sons of the king, and for all the men of Judah, servants of the king;
[10] and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty ones, and Solomon his brother, he hath not called.
[11] And Nathan speaketh unto Bath-Sheba, mother of Solomon, saying, ‘Hast thou not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith hath reigned, and our lord David hath not known?
[12] and now, come, let me counsel thee, I pray thee, and deliver thy life, and the life of thy son Solomon;
[13] go and enter in unto king David, and thou hast said unto him, Hast thou not, my lord, O king, sworn to thy handmaid, saying, Surely Solomon thy son doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne? and wherefore hath Adonijah reigned?
[14] Lo, thou are yet speaking there with the king, and I come in after thee, and have completed thy words.’
[15] And Bath-Sheba cometh in unto the king, to the inner chamber, and the king is very aged, and Abishag the Shunammite is serving the king:
[16] and Bath-Sheba boweth and doth obeisance to the king, and the king saith, ‘What-to thee?’
[17] And she saith to him, ‘My lord, thou hast sworn by Jehovah thy God to thy handmaid: Surely Solomon thy son doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne;
[18] and now, lo, Adonijah hath reigned, and now, my lord, O king, thou hast not known;
[19] and he sacrificeth ox, and fatling, and sheep in abundance, and calleth for all the sons of the king, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab head of the host-and for Solomon thy servant he hath not called.
[20] And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on thee, to declare to them who doth sit on the throne of my lord the king after him;
[21] and it hath been, when my lord the king lieth with his fathers, that I have been, I and my son Solomon-reckoned sinners.’
[22] And lo, she is yet speaking with the king, and Nathan the prophet hath come in;
[23] and they declare to the king, saying, ‘Lo, Nathan the prophet;’ and he cometh in before the king, and boweth himself to the king, on his face to the earth.
[24] And Nathan saith, ‘My lord, O king, thou hast said, Adonijah doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne;
[25] for he hath gone down to-day, and doth sacrifice ox, and fatling, and sheep, in abundance, and calleth for all the sons of the king, and for the heads of the host, and for Abiathar the priest, and lo, they are eating and drinking before him, and they say, Let king Adonijah live!
[26] ‘And for me-me, thy servant, and for Zadok the priest, and for Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, and for Solomon thy servant, he hath not called;
[27] if from my lord the king this thing hath been, then thou hast not caused thy servant to know who doth sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.’
[28] And king David answereth and saith, ‘Call for me for Bath-Sheba;’ and she cometh in before the king, and standeth before the king.
[29] And the king sweareth and saith, ‘Jehovah liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity;
[30] surely as I sware to thee by Jehovah, God of Israel, saying, Surely Solomon thy son doth reign after me, and he doth sit on my throne in my stead; surely so I do this day.’
[31] And Bath-Sheba boweth-face to the earth-and doth obeisance to the king, and saith, ‘Let my lord, king David, live to the age.’
[32] And king David saith, ‘Call for me for Zadok the priest, and for Nathan the prophet, and for Benaiah son of Jehoiada;’ and they come in before the king.
[33] And the king saith to them, ‘Take with you the servants of your lord, and ye have caused Solomon my son to ride on mine own mule, and caused him to go down unto Gihon,
[34] and anointed him there hath Zadok the priest-and Nathan the prophet-for king over Israel, and ye have blown with a trumpet, and said, Let king Solomon live;
[35] and ye have come up after him, and he hath come in and hath sat on my throne, and he doth reign in my stead, and him I have appointed to be leader over Israel, and over Judah.’
[36] And Benaiah son of Jehoiada answereth the king, and saith, ‘Amen! so doth Jehovah, God of my lord the king, say;
[37] as Jehovah hath been with my lord the king, so is He with Solomon, and doth make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.’
[38] And Zadok the priest goeth down, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethite, and the Pelethite, and they cause Solomon to ride on the mule of king David, and cause him to go unto Gihon,
[39] and Zadok the priest taketh the horn of oil out of the tent, and anointeth Solomon, and they blow with a trumpet, and all the people say, ‘Let king Solomon live.’
[40] And all the people come up after him, and the people are piping with pipes, and rejoicing-great joy, and the earth rendeth with their voice.
[41] And Adonijah heareth, and all those called, who are with him, and they have finished to eat, and Joab heareth the noise of the trumpet, and saith, ‘Wherefore is the noise of the city roaring?’
[42] He is yet speaking, and lo, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest hath come in, and Adonijah saith, ‘Come in, for a man of valour thou art, and thou bearest good tidings.’
[43] And Jonathan answereth and saith to Adonijah, ‘Verily our lord king David hath caused Solomon to reign,
[44] and the king sendeth with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethite, and the Pelethite, and they cause him to ride on the king’s mule,
[45] and they anoint him-Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet-for king in Gihon, and are come up thence rejoicing, and the city is moved; it is the noise that ye have heard.
[46] ‘And also Solomon hath sat on the throne of the kingdom,
[47] and also the servants of the king have come into bless our lord king David, saying, Thy God doth make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and his throne greater than thy throne; and the king boweth himself on the bed,
[48] and also thus hath the king said, Blessed is Jehovah, God of Israel, who hath given to-day one sitting on my throne, and mine eyes seeing.’
[49] And they tremble, and rise-all those called who are for Adonijah-and go, each on his way;
[50] and Adonijah feareth because of Solomon, and riseth, and goeth, and layeth hold on the horns of the altar.
[51] And it is declared to Solomon, saying, ‘Lo, Adonijah feareth king Solomon, and lo, he hath laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear to me as to-day-he doth not put to death his servant by the sword.’
[52] And Solomon saith, ‘If he becometh a virtuous man-there doth not fall of his hair to the earth, and if evil is found in him-then he hath died.’
[53] And king Solomon sendeth, and they bring him down from off the altar, and he cometh in and boweth himself to king Solomon, and Solomon saith to him, ‘Go to thy house.’