Liber I Regum, 1

1. Et rex David senuerat habebat que aetatis plurimos dies; cum que operiretur vestibus, non calefiebat.

1. Now King David was old and advanced in years; and although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm.

2. Dixerunt ergo ei servi sui: “Quaeratur domino nostro regi adulescentula virgo et stet coram rege et curam eius agat dormiatque in sinu tuo et calefaciat dominum nostrum regem”.

2. Therefore his servants said to him, "Let a young maiden be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait upon the king, and be his nurse; let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may be warm."

3. Quaesierunt igitur adulescentulam speciosam in omnibus finibus Israel et invenerunt Abisag Sunamitin et adduxerunt eam ad regem.

3. So they sought for a beautiful maiden throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Ab'ishag the Shu'nammite, and brought her to the king.

4. Erat autem puella pulchra nimis et curam agebat regis et ministrabat ei; rex vero non cognovit eam.

4. The maiden was very beautiful; and she became the king's nurse and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.

5. Adonias autem filius Haggith elevabatur dicens: “Ego regnabo!”. Fecitque sibi currum et equites et quinquaginta viros, qui ante eum currerent.

5. Now Adoni'jah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

6. Nec corripuit eum pater suus aliquando dicens: “Quare hoc fecisti?”. Erat autem et ipse pulcher valde, secundus natu post Absalom.

6. His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, "Why have you done thus and so?" He was also a very handsome man; and he was born next after Ab'salom.

7. Et sermo ei cum Ioab filio Sarviae et cum Abiathar sacerdote, qui adiuvabant partes Adoniae.

7. He conferred with Jo'ab the son of Zeru'iah and with Abi'athar the priest; and they followed Adoni'jah and helped him.

8. Sadoc vero sacerdos et Banaias filius Ioiadae et Nathan propheta et Semei et Rei et robur exercitus David non erat cum Adonia.

8. But Zadok the priest, and Benai'ah the son of Jehoi'ada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shim'e-i, and Re'i, and David's mighty men were not with Adoni'jah.

9. Immolatis ergo Adonias ovibus et vitulis et pinguibus iuxta lapidem Zoheleth, qui erat vicinus fonti Rogel, vocavit universos fratres suos filios regis et omnes viros Iudae servos regis;

9. Adoni'jah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fatlings by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-ro'gel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah,

10. Nathan autem prophetam et Banaiam et robustos quosque et Salomonem fratrem suum non vocavit.

10. but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benai'ah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.

11. Dixit itaque Nathan ad Bethsabee matrem Salomonis: “Num audisti quod regnaverit Adonias filius Haggith, et dominus noster David hoc ignorat?

11. Then Nathan said to Bathshe'ba the mother of Solomon, "Have you not heard that Adoni'jah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it?

12. Nunc ergo veni, accipe a me consilium et salva animam tuam filiique tui Salomonis.

12. Now therefore come, let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.

13. Vade et ingredere ad regem David et dic ei: Nonne tu, domine mi rex, iurasti mihi ancillae tuae dicens: “Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me et ipse sedebit in solio meo”? Quare ergo regnat Adonias?

13. Go in at once to King David, and say to him, `Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your maidservant, saying, "Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne"? Why then is Adoni'jah king?'

14. Et, adhuc ibi te loquente cum rege, ego veniam post te et complebo sermones tuos”.

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

15. Ingressa est itaque Bethsabee ad regem in cubiculo; rex autem senuerat nimis, et Abisag Sunamitis ministrabat ei.

15. So Bathshe'ba went to the king into his chamber (now the king was very old, and Ab'ishag the Shu'nammite was ministering to the king).

16. Inclinavit se Bethsabee et adoravit regem; ad quam rex: “Quid tibi, inquit, vis?”.

16. Bathshe'ba bowed and did obeisance to the king, and the king said, "What do you desire?"

17. Quae respondens ait: “Domine mi, tu iurasti per Dominum Deum tuum ancillae tuae: “Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me, et ipse sedebit in solio meo”;

17. She said to him, "My lord, you swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God, saying, `Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.'

18. et ecce nunc Adonias regnat, te, domine mi rex, ignorante.

18. And now, behold, Adoni'jah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it.

19. Mactavit boves et pinguia quaeque et oves plurimas et vocavit omnes filios regis, Abiathar quoque sacerdotem et Ioab principem militiae; Salomonem autem servum tuum non vocavit.

19. He has sacrificed oxen, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abi'athar the priest, and Jo'ab the commander of the army; but Solomon your servant he has not invited.

20. Verumtamen, domine mi rex, in te oculi respiciunt totius Israel, ut indices eis quis sedere debeat in solio tuo, domine mi rex, post te.

20. And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21. Eritque, cum dormierit dominus meus rex cum patribus suis, erimus ego et filius meus Salomon peccatores”.

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

22. Adhuc illa loquente cum rege, Nathan propheta venit;

22. While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

23. et nuntiaverunt regi dicentes: “Adest Nathan propheta”. Cumque introisset ante conspectum regis et adorasset eum pronus in terram,

23. And they told the king, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground.

24. dixit Nathan: “Domine mi rex, tu ergo dixisti: “Adonias regnet post me, et ipse sedeat super thronum meum”?

24. And Nathan said, "My lord the king, have you said, `Adoni'jah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne'?

25. Quia descendit hodie et immolavit boves et pinguia et arietes plurimos et vocavit universos filios regis et principes exercitus, Abiathar quoque sacerdotem; illique vescentes et bibentes coram eo dixerunt: “Vivat rex Adonias!”.

25. For he has gone down this day, and has sacrificed oxen, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, Jo'ab the commander of the army, and Abi'athar the priest; and behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, `Long live King Adoni'jah!'

26. Me autem servum tuum et Sadoc sacerdotem et Banaiam filium Ioiadae et Salomonem famulum tuum non vocavit.

26. But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benai'ah the son of Jehoi'ada, and your servant Solomon, he has not invited.

27. Numquid a domino meo rege exivit hoc verbum, et mihi non indicasti servo tuo quis sessurus esset super thronum domini mei regis post eum?”.

27. Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?"

28. Et respondit rex David dicens: “Vocate ad me Bethsabee”. Quae cum fuisset ingressa coram rege et stetisset ante eum,

28. Then King David answered, "Call Bathshe'ba to me." So she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

29. iuravit rex et ait: “Vivit Dominus, qui eruit animam meam de omni angustia,

29. And the king swore, saying, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity,

30. quia, sicut iuravi tibi per Dominum, Deum Israel, dicens: Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me et ipse sedebit super solium meum pro me, sic faciam hodie”.

30. as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, `Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead'; even so will I do this day."

31. Summissoque Bethsabee in terram vultu, adoravit regem dicens: “Vivat dominus meus rex David in aeternum!”.

31. Then Bathshe'ba bowed with her face to the ground, and did obeisance to the king, and said, "May my lord King David live for ever!"

32. Dixit quoque rex David: “Vocate mihi Sadoc sacerdotem et Nathan prophetam et Banaiam filium Ioiadae”. Qui cum ingressi fuissent coram rege,

32. King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benai'ah the son of Jehoi'ada." So they came before the king.

33. dixit ad eos: “Tollite vobiscum servos domini vestri et imponite Salomonem filium meum, super mulam meam et ducite eum in Gihon,

33. And 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. et ungat eum ibi Sadoc sacerdos et Nathan propheta in regem super Israel, et canetis bucina atque dicetis: “Vivat rex Salomon!”.

34. and let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel; then blow the trumpet, and say, `Long live King Solomon!'

35. Et ascendetis post eum, et veniet et sedebit super solium meum, et ipse regnabit pro me; illique praecipiam, ut sit dux super Israel et super Iudam”.

35. You shall then 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 ruler over Israel and over Judah."

36. Et respondit Banaias filius Ioiadae regi dicens: “Amen, sic loquatur Dominus Deus domini mei regis.

36. And Benai'ah the son of Jehoi'ada answered the king, "Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so.

37. Quomodo fuit Dominus cum domino meo rege, sic sit cum Salomone et sublimius faciat solium eius a solio domini mei regis David”.

37. As the LORD 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. Descendit ergo Sadoc sacerdos et Nathan propheta et Banaias filius Ioiadae et Cherethi et Phelethi, et imposuerunt Salomonem super mulam regis David et adduxerunt eum in Gihon.

38. So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benai'ah the son of Jehoi'ada, and the Cher'ethites and the Pel'ethites, went down and caused Solomon to ride on King David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.

39. Sumpsitque Sadoc sacerdos cornu olei de tabernaculo et unxit Salomonem; et cecinerunt bucina, et dixit omnis populus: “Vivat rex Salomon!”.

39. There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent, and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!"

40. Et ascendit universa multitudo post eum, et populus canebat tibiis et laetabatur gaudio magno, et insonuit terra ad clamorem eorum.

40. And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.

41. Audivit autem Adonias et omnes, qui invitati fuerant ab eo; iamque convivium finitum erat. Sed et Ioab, audita voce tubae, ait: “Quid sibi vult clamor civitatis tumultuantis?”.

41. Adoni'jah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Jo'ab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, "What does this uproar in the city mean?"

42. Adhuc illo loquente, Ionathan filius Abiathar sacerdotis venit; cui dixit Adonias: “Ingredere, quia vir strenuus es et bona nuntians”.

42. While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abi'athar the priest came; and Adoni'jah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news."

43. Responditque Ionathan Adoniae: “Nequaquam! Dominus enim noster, rex David, regem constituit Salomonem

43. Jonathan answered Adoni'jah, "No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king;

44. misitque cum eo Sadoc sacerdotem et Nathan prophetam et Banaiam filium Ioiadae et Cherethi et Phelethi, et imposuerunt eum super mulam regis;

44. and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benai'ah the son of Jehoi'ada, and the Cher'ethites and the Pel'ethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king's mule;

45. unxeruntque eum Sadoc sacerdos et Nathan propheta regem in Gihon. Et ascenderunt inde laetantes, et insonuit civitas; haec est vox, quam audistis.

45. and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard.

46. Sed et Salomon sedit super solio regni,

46. Solomon sits upon the royal throne.

47. et ingressi servi regis benedixerunt domino nostro regi David dicentes: “Amplificet Deus nomen Salomonis super nomen tuum et magnificet thronum eius super thronum tuum”. Et adoravit rex in lectulo suo.

47. Moreover the king's servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, `Your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.' And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

48. Insuper et haec locutus est: “Benedictus Dominus, Deus Israel, qui dedit hodie sedentem in solio meo, videntibus oculis meis””.

48. And the king also said, `Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted one of my offspring to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.'"

49. Territi sunt ergo et surrexerunt omnes, qui invitati fuerant ab Adonia, et ivit unusquisque in viam suam.

49. Then all the guests of Adoni'jah trembled, and rose, and each went his own way.

50. Adonias autem timens Salomonem surrexit et abiit tenuitque cornua altaris.

50. And Adoni'jah feared Solomon; and he arose, and went, and caught hold of the horns of the altar.

51. Et nuntiaverunt Salomoni dicentes: “Ecce Adonias timens regem Salomonem tenuit cornua altaris dicens: “Iuret mihi hodie rex Salomon quod non interficiat servum suum gladio””.

51. And it was told Solomon, "Behold, Adoni'jah fears King Solomon; for, lo, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, `Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not slay his servant with the sword.'"

52. Dixitque Salomon: “Si fuerit vir bonus, non cadet ne unus quidem capillus eius in terram; sin autem malum inventum fuerit in eo, morietur”.

52. And Solomon said, "If he prove to be a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die."

53. Misit ergo rex Salomon et eduxit eum ab altari, et ingressus adoravit regem Salomonem; dixitque ei Salomon: “Vade in domum tuam”.

53. So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and did obeisance to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."