King David waxing old, Abisag a Sunamite is brought to him. 5. Adonias pretending to reign, 11. Nathan and Bethsabee obtain, 28. that Salomon is declared and anointed King. 41. Whereupon Adonias (his followers parting to their houses) 50. fleeth to the altar in the tabernacle, but upon promise of safety doth homage to Salomon.King Dauid waxing old, Abisag a Sunamite is brought to him. 5. Adonias pretending to reigne, 11. Nathan and Bethsabee obtaine, 28. that Salomon is declared and annointed King. 41. Wherupon Adonias (his folowers parting to their houses) 50. fleeth to the altar in the tabernacle, but vpon promis of safetie doth homage to Salomon.✦
The first part. King Dauids admonitions to his sonne: and his death.
And king David was old, and had many days of age: and when he was covered with clothes, he was not warmed.AND king Dauid was old, and had manie daies of age: and when he was couered with clothes, he was not warmed.✦Et rex David senuerat, habebatque ætatis plurimos dies : cumque operiretur vestibus, non calefiebat.
2His servants therefore said to him: Let us seek for our lord the king a young woman a virgin, and let her stand before the king, and foveat: nourish, tend in his old age him, and sleep in his bosom, and warm our lord the king.His seruantes therfore sayd to him: Let vs seeke for our lord the king a yong woman a virgin, and let her stand before the king, and cherish him, and sleepe in his bosome, and warme our lord the king.✦Dixerunt ergo ei servi sui : Quæramus domino nostro regi adolescentulam virginem, et stet coram rege, et foveat eum, dormiatque in sinu suo, et calefaciat dominum nostrum regem.
3They sought therefore a beautiful young woman in all the finibus: borders, regions, territory of Israel, and they found Abisag a Sunamite, and brought her to the king.They sought therfore a beautiful yong woman in al the costes of Israel, and they found Abisag a Sunamite, and brought her to the king.✦Quæsierunt igitur adolescentulam speciosam in omnibus finibus Israël, et invenerunt Abisag Sunamitidem, et adduxerunt eam ad regem.
4And the damsel was exceeding beautiful, and she slept with the king, and served him, but the king did not know her.And the damsel was exceding beautiful, and she slept with the king, and serued him, but the king did not know her.✦Erat autem puella pulchra nimis, dormiebatque cum rege, et ministrabat ei : rex vero non cognovit eam.
5And Adonias the son of Haggith was elevated, saying: I will reign. And he made himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men, that should run before him.And Adonias the sonne of Haggith was eleuated, saying: I wil reigne. And he made him self chariotes and horsemen, and fiftie men, that should runne before him.✦Adonias autem filius Haggith elevabatur, dicens : Ego regnabo. Fecitque sibi currus et equites, et quinquaginta viros qui currerent ante eum.
6Neither did his father corripuit: command, exercise authority over; rebuke, call to account, find fault with him at any time, saying: Why didst thou this? And he also was very beautiful, the second born after Absalom.Neither did his father controwle him at any time, saying: Why didst thou this? And he also was very beautiful, the second borne after Absalom.Nec corripuit eum pater suus aliquando, dicens : Quare hoc fecisti ? Erat autem et ipse pulcher valde, secundus natu post Absalom.
7And he had talk with Joab the son of Sarvia, and with :: Abiathar the priest, who furthered Adonias' side.And he had talke with Ioab the sonne of Saruia, & with Abiathar the priest, who furthered Adonias side.Et sermo ei cum Joab filio Sarviæ, et cum Abiathar sacerdote, qui adjuvabant partes Adoniæ.
8But Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Rei, and the strength of David's army was not with Adonias.But Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Rei, and the strength of Dauids armie was not with Adonias.Sadoc vero sacerdos, et Banaias filius Jojadæ, et Nathan propheta, et Semei et Rei, et robur exercitus David, non erat cum Adonia.
9Adonias therefore having immolatis: sacrificed, ritually slain rams and calves, and all fat beasts beside the Stone Zoheleth, which was nigh to the Fountain Rogel, called all his brethren the sons of the king, and all the men of Juda the servants of the king:Adonias therfore hauing immolated rammes and calues, and al fatte beastes beside the Stone zoheleth, which was nigh to the Fountaine Rogel, called al his brethren the sonnes of the king, and al the men of Iuda the seruantes of the king:Immolatis ergo Adonias arietibus et vitulis, et universis pinguibus, juxta lapidem Zoheleth, qui erat vicinus fonti Rogel, vocavit universos fratres suos filios regis, et omnes viros Juda servos regis.
10But Nathan the prophet, and Banaias, and all the strong ones, and Salomon his brother he called not.But Nathan the prophet, and Banaias, and al the strong ones, and Salomon his brother he called not.✦Nathan autem prophetam, et Banaiam, et robustos quosque, et Salomonem fratrem suum non vocavit.
11Nathan therefore said to Bethsabee the mother of Salomon: Hast thou not heard that Adonias the son of Haggith hath reigned, and our lord David is ignorant thereof?Nathan therfore sayd to Bethsabee the mother of Salomon: Hast thou not heard that Adonias the sonne of Haggith hath reigned, and our lord Dauid is ignorant therof?Dixit itaque Nathan ad Bethsabee matrem Salomonis : Num audisti quod regnaverit Adonias filius Haggith, et dominus noster David hoc ignorat ?
12Now therefore come, take counsel of me, and save thy life, and thy son Salomon's.Now therfore come, take counsel of me, and saue thy life, and thy sonne Salomons.Nunc ergo veni, accipe consilium a me, et salva animam tuam, filiique tui Salomonis.
13Go, and enter in to king David, and say to him: Didst not thou my lord king swear to me thy handmaid, saying: Salomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit in my throne? Why then reigneth Adonias?Goe, and enter in to king Dauid, and say to him: Didst not thou my lord king sweare to me thy handmayd, saying: Salomon thy sonne shal reigne after me, and he shal sitte in my throne? Why then reigneth Adonias?Vade, et ingredere ad regem David, et dic ei : Nonne tu, domine mi rex, jurasti mihi ancillæ tuæ, dicens : Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me, et ipse sedebit in solio meo ? quare ergo regnat Adonias ?
14And whiles thou art yet speaking there with the king, I will come after thee, and make complebo: complete, confirm what thou hast said thy words.And whiles thou art yet speaking there with the king, I wil come after thee, and make vp thy wordes.Et adhuc ibi te loquente cum rege, ego veniam post te, et complebo sermones tuos.
15Bethsabee therefore went in to the king in the chamber: and the king was exceeding old, and Abisag the Sunamite ministered to him.Bethsabee therfore went in to the king in the chamber: and the king was exceding old, and Abisag the Sunamite ministred to him.Ingressa est itaque Bethsabee ad regem in cubiculum : rex autem senuerat nimis, et Abisag Sunamitis ministrabat ei.
16Bethsabee bowed herself, and adored the king. To whom the king said: What is thy will? quoth he.Bethsabee bowed her self, and adored the king. To whom the king sayd: What is thy wil? quoth he.Inclinavit se Bethsabee, et adoravit regem. Ad quam rex : Quid tibi, inquit, vis ?
17Who answering said: My lord, thou didst swear to thy handmaid by our Lord thy God, that Salomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit in my throne.Who answering sayd: My lord, thou didst sweare to thy handmayd by our Lord thy God, that Salomon thy sonne shal reigne after me, and he shal sitte in my throne.Quæ respondens, ait : Domine mi, tu jurasti per Dominum Deum tuum ancillæ tuæ : Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me, et ipse sedebit in solio meo.
18And behold now Adonias reigneth, thou my lord the king not knowing thereof.And behold now Adonias reigneth, thou my lord the king not knowing therof.Et ecce nunc Adonias regnat, te, domine mi rex, ignorante.
19He hath killed oxen, and all fat things, and many rams, and called all the king's sons, Abiathar also the priest, and Joab the General of the warfare: but Salomon thy servant he called not.He hath killed oxen, & al fatte thinges, and manie rammes, and called al the kinges sonnes, Abiathar also the priest, and Ioab the General of the warfarre: but Salomon thy seruant he called not.Mactavit boves, et pinguia quæque, et arietes plurimos, et vocavit omnes filios regis, Abiathar quoque sacerdotem, et Joab principem militiæ : Salomonem autem servum tuum non vocavit.
20Notwithstanding my lord king, the eyes of all Israel look upon thee, that thou wouldest shew them, who shall sit in thy throne my lord king after thee.Notwithstanding my lord king, the eyes of al Israel looke vpon thee, that thou wouldest shew them, who shal sitte in thy throne my lord king after thee.Verumtamen, domine mi rex, in te oculi respiciunt totius Israël, ut indices eis quis sedere debeat in solio tuo, domine mi rex, post te.
21And it shall be when my lord king sleepeth with his fathers, I and my son Salomon shall be :: sinners.And it shal be when my lord king sleepeth with his fathers, I and my sonne Salomon shal be sinners.✦Eritque, cum dormierit dominus meus rex cum patribus suis, erimus ego et filius meus Salomon peccatores.
22As she was yet speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came.As she was yet speaking with the king, Nathan the prophete came.Adhuc illa loquente cum rege, Nathan propheta venit.
23And they told the king, saying: Nathan the prophet is here. And when he was gone in to the king, and had adored bowing to the earth,And they told the king, saying: Nathan the prophete is here. And when he was gone in to the king, and had adored bowing to the earth,Et nuntiaverunt regi, dicentes : Adest Nathan propheta. Cumque introisset in conspectu regis, et adorasset eum pronus in terram,
24Nathan said: My lord king, didst thou say: Let Adonias reign after me, and let him sit upon my throne?Nathan sayd: My lord king, didst thou say: Let Adonias reigne after me, and let him sitte vpon my throne?dixit Nathan : Domine mi rex, tu dixisti : Adonias regnet post me, et ipse sedeat super thronum meum ?
25Because he is gone down to day, and hath immolated oxen, and fatlings, and many rams, and called all the king's sons, and the captains of the army, Abiathar also the priest: and they eating and drinking before him, and saying: God save the king Adonias:Because he is gone downe to day, and hath immolated oxen, and fatlinges, and manie rammes, and called al the kinges sonnes, and the captaynes of the armie, Abiathar also the priest: and they eating and drinking before him, and saying: God saue the king Adonias:Quia descendit hodie, et immolavit boves, et pinguia, et arietes plurimos, et vocavit universos filios regis et principes exercitus, Abiathar quoque sacerdotem, illisque vescentibus et bibentibus coram eo, et dicentibus : Vivat rex Adonias :
26me thy servant, and Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and Salomon thy servant he called not.me thy seruant, and Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, and Salomon thy seruant he called not.me servum tuum, et Sadoc sacerdotem, et Banaiam filium Jojadæ, et Salomonem famulum tuum non vocavit.
27Is this word proceeded from my lord the king, and hast thou not told me thy servant, who should sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him?Is this word proceded from my lord the king, and hast thou not told me thy seruant, who should sitte vpon the throne of my lord the king after him?Numquid a domino meo rege exivit hoc verbum, et mihi non indicasti servo tuo quis sessurus esset super thronum domini mei regis post eum ?
28And king David answered, saying: Call unto me Bethsabee. Who when she was entered in to the king, and stood before him,And king Dauid answered, saying: Cal vnto me Bethsabee. Who when she was entred in to the king, and stood before him,Et respondit rex David, dicens : Vocate ad me Bethsabee. Quæ cum fuisset ingressa coram rege, et stetisset ante eum,
29the king sware, and said: Our Lord liveth, which hath delivered my soul from all distress,the king sware, and sayd: Our Lord liueth, which hath deliuered my soule from al distresse,juravit rex, et ait : Vivit Dominus, qui eruit animam meam de omni angustia,
30that as I sware to thee by our Lord the God of Israel, saying: Salomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne for me, so will I do this day.that as I sware to thee by our Lord the God of Israel, saying: Salomon thy sonne shal reigne after me, and he shal sitte vpon my throne for me, so wil I doe this day.quia sicut juravi tibi per Dominum Deum Israël, dicens : Salomon filius tuus regnabit post me, et ipse sedebit super solium meum pro me : sic faciam hodie.
31And Bethsabee bowing her countenance unto the earth adored the king, saying: God live my lord for ever.And Bethsabee bowing her contenance vnto the earth adored the king, saying: God liue my lord for euer.Summissoque Bethsabee in terram vultu, adoravit regem, dicens : Vivat dominus meus David in æternum.
32King David also said: Call me Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Banaias the son of Joiada. Who when they were entered in before the king,King Dauid also said: Cal me Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, & Banaias the sonne of Ioiada. Who when they were entred in before the king,Dixit quoque rex David : Vocate mihi Sadoc sacerdotem, et Nathan prophetam, et Banaiam filium Jojadæ. Qui cum ingressi fuissent coram rege,
33he said to them: Take with you the servants of your lord, and set Salomon my son upon my mule: and bring him into Gihon.he said to them: Take with you the seruantes of your lord, and sette Salomon my sonne vpon my mule: and bring him into Gihon.dixit ad eos : Tollite vobiscum servos domini vestri, et imponite Salomonem filium meum super mulam meam, et ducite eum in Gihon.
34And let Sadoc the priest anoint him there, and Nathan the prophet to be king over Israel: and you shall sound the trumpet, and shall say: God save king Salomon.And let Sadoc the priest anoint him there, and Nathan the prophet to be king ouer Israel: and you shal sound the trumpet, and shal say: God saue king Salomon.Et ungat eum ibi Sadoc sacerdos et Nathan propheta in regem super Israël : et canetis buccina, atque dicetis : Vivat rex Salomon.
35And you shall go up after him, and he shall come, and shall sit upon my throne, and he shall reign for me: and I will ordain him that he be prince over Israel, and over Juda.And you shal goe vp after him, and he shal come, and shal sitte vpon my throne, and he shal reigne for me: and I wil ordaine him that he be prince ouer Israel, and ouer Iuda.Et ascendetis post eum, et veniet, et sedebit super solium meum, et ipse regnabit pro me : illique præcipiam ut sit dux super Israël et super Judam.
36And Banaias the son of Joiada answered the king, saying: Amen: so speak our Lord the God of my lord the king.And Banaias the sonne of Ioiada answered the king, saying: Amen: so speake our Lord the God of my lord the king.✦Et respondit Banaias filius Jojadæ regi, dicens : Amen : sic loquatur Dominus Deus domini mei regis.
37As our Lord hath been with my lord the king, so be he with Salomon, and make his throne higher then the throne of my lord king David.As our Lord hath beene with my lord the king, so be he with Salomon, and make his throne higher then the throne of my lord king Dauid.Quomodo fuit Dominus cum domino meo rege, sic sit cum Salomone, et sublimius faciat solium ejus a solio domini mei regis David.
38Sadoc therefore the priest, and Nathan the prophet went down, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and Cherethi, and Phelethi: and they set Salomon upon the mule of king David, and brought him into Gihon.Sadoc therfore the priest, and Nathan the prophet went downe, and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, and Cherethi, and Phelethi: and they set Salomon vpon the mule of king Dauid, and brought him into Gihon.Descendit ergo Sadoc sacerdos, et Nathan propheta, et Banaias filius Jojadæ, et Cerethi, et Phelethi : et imposuerunt Salomonem super mulam regis David, et adduxerunt eum in Gihon.
39And Sadoc the priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Salomon: and they sounded the trumpet, and all the people said: God save king Salomon.And Sadoc the priest tooke a horne of oile out of the tabernacle, and annointed Salomon: and they sounded the trumpet, and al the people said: God saue king Salomon.✦Sumpsitque Sadoc sacerdos cornu olei de tabernaculo, et unxit Salomonem : et cecinerunt buccina, et dixit omnis populus : Vivat rex Salomon.
40And all the multitude went up after him, and the people singing on tibiis: shawms, reed pipes, and rejoicing with great gladness, and the earth sounded of their cry.And al the multitude went vp after him, and the people singing on shaulmes, and reioysing with great gladnes, and the earth sounded of their crie.Et ascendit universa multitudo post eum, et populus canentium tibiis, et lætantium gaudio magno : et insonuit terra a clamore eorum.
41And Adonias heard, and all that were invited of him, and the feast was ended: yea and Joab hearing the voice of the trumpet, said: What meaneth the cry of the city making a tumult?And Adonias heard, and al that were inuited of him, and the feast was ended: yea and Ioab hearing the voice of the trumpet, said: What meaneth the crie of the citie making a tumult?Audivit autem Adonias, et omnes qui invitati fuerant ab eo : jamque convivium finitum erat : sed et Joab, audita voce tubæ, ait : Quid sibi vult clamor civitatis tumultuantis ?
42As he yet spake, came Jonathas the son of Abiathar the priest: to whom Adonias said: Come in, because thou art a fortis: corpulent, heavyset; brave, strong, valiant man, and bringest good news.As he yet spake, came Ionathas the sonne of Abiathar the priest: to whom Adonias said: Come in, because thou art a stout man, and bringest good newes.Adhuc illo loquente, Jonathas filius Abiathar sacerdotis venit : cui dixit Adonias : Ingredere, quia vir fortis es, et bona nuntians.
43And Jonathas answered Adonias: Not so: for our lord king David hath appointed Salomon king.And Ionathas answered Adonias: Not so: for our lord king Dauid hath appointed Salomon king.Responditque Jonathas Adoniæ : Nequaquam : dominus enim noster rex David regem constituit Salomonem :
44and hath sent with him Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and Cerethi, and Phelethi, and they have set him upon the king's mule.and hath sent with him Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophete, and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, and Cerethi, and Phelethi, and they haue set him vpon the kinges mule.misitque cum eo Sadoc sacerdotem, et Nathan prophetam, et Banaiam filium Jojadæ, et Cerethi, et Phelethi, et imposuerunt eum super mulam regis.
45And Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are gone up thence rejoicing, and the city sounded: this is the voice that you heard.And Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophete haue annointed him king in Gihon: & they are gone vp thence reioysing, and the citie sounded: this is the voice that you heard.✦Unxeruntque eum Sadoc sacerdos et Nathan propheta regem in Gihon : et ascenderunt inde lætantes, et insonuit civitas : hæc est vox quam audistis.
46Yea and Salomon sitteth upon the throne of the kingdom.Yea and Salomon sitteth vpon the throne of the kingdom.Sed et Salomon sedet super solium regni.
47And the king's servants coming in, have blessed our lord king David, saying: God amplify the name of Salomon above thy name, and magnify his throne above thy throne. And the king :: adored in his bed:And the kinges seruantes coming in, haue blessed our lord king Dauid, saying: God amplifie the name of Salomon aboue thy name, and magnifie his throne aboue thy throne. And the king adored in his bed:✦Et ingressi servi regis benedixerunt domino nostro regi David, dicentes : Amplificet Deus nomen Salomonis super nomen tuum, et magnificet thronus ejus super thronum tuum. Et adoravit rex in lectulo suo :
48and he hath thus spoken: Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel, who hath given this day one sitting in my throne, mine eyes seeing it.and he hath thus spoken: Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel, who hath geuen this day one sitting in my throne, mine eies seing it.et locutus est : Benedictus Dominus Deus Israël, qui dedit hodie sedentem in solio meo, videntibus oculis meis.
49They therefore were terrified, and they all arose, that had been invited of Adonias, and every man went his way.They therfore were terrified, and they al arose, that had beene inuited of Adonias, and euery man went his way.Territi sunt ergo, et surrexerunt omnes qui invitati fuerant ab Adonia, et ivit unusquisque in viam suam.
50And Adonias fearing Salomon arose, and went, and held the horn of the altar.And Adonias fearing Salomon arose, and went, and held the horne of the altar.Adonias autem timens Salomonem, surrexit, et abiit, tenuitque cornu altaris.
51And they told Salomon, saying: Behold Adonias fearing king Salomon, hath taken hold of the horn of the altar, saying: Let king Salomon swear to me this day, that he will not kill his servant with the sword.And they told Salomon, saying: Behold Adonias fearing king Salomon, hath taken hold of the horne of the altar, saying: Let king Salomon sweare to me this day, that he wil not kil his seruant with the sword.Et nuntiaverunt Salomoni, dicentes : Ecce Adonias timens regem Salomonem, tenuit cornu altaris, dicens : Juret mihi rex Salomon hodie, quod non interficiat servum suum gladio.
52And Salomon said: If he be a good man, there shall not so much as one hair of his fall upon the ground: but if evil shall be found in him, he shall die.And Salomon sayd: If he be a good man, there shal not so much as one heare of his fal vpon the ground: but if euil shal be found in him, he shal die.✦Dixitque Salomon : Si fuerit vir bonus, non cadet ne unus quidem capillus ejus in terram : sin autem malum inventum fuerit in eo, morietur.
53King Salomon therefore sent, and brought him out from the altar: and going in he adored king Salomon: and Salomon said to him: Go to thy house.King Salomon therfore sent, and brought him out from the altar: and going in he adored king Salomon: and Salomon sayd to him: Goe to thy house.✦Misit ergo rex Salomon, et eduxit eum ab altari : et ingressus adoravit regem Salomonem : dixitque ei Salomon : Vade in domum tuam.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.