1 Kings 1

1 Kings, chapter 1 1 Kings 1 2 Samuel 24 2 Samuel 24 1 Kings 2 chapter 2 First book of Kings Old Testament 11 Nevi'im 4 Former Prophets Leningrad-codex-09-kings.pdf 250px The pages containing the Books of Kings (1 & 2 Kings) Leningrad Codex (1008 CE). 1 Kings 1 is the first chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible and of the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.Halley 1965 189Collins 2014 288 The Books of Kings incorporate earlier materials, including royal records and narrative traditions, within a framework commonly associated with the Deuteronomistic history.Cogan 2001 32–41McKenzie 1991 13–32 This chapter belongs to the section concerning the reign of Solomon over the united kingdom of Israel and Judah (1 Kings 1–11).Dietrich 2007 234 It narrates the succession struggle at the end of David's reign, including Adonijah's attempt to claim the throne and culminating in Solomon's anointing as king.Dietrich 2007 235 Text This chapter was originally written in Biblical Hebrew and is divided into is divided into 53 verses in the Masoretic Text.Cogan 2001 164–184 Textual witnesses Some early manuscripts containing this chapter in Biblical Hebrew belong to the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).Würthwein 1995 35-37 Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls as 5Q2 (or 5QKgs; 150–50 y) with extant verses 1, 16–17, and 27–37.Ulrich 2010 323Dead sea scrolls - 1 KingsFitzmyer 2008 1055Q2 at the Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library A translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint was also compiled in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century y) and Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century).Würthwein 1995 73-74The whole book of 1 Kings is missing from the extant Codex Sinaiticus.Codex Sinaiticus Analysis Book of Samuel Book of Chronicles Literary and historical setting First Kings 1–2 describes the final phase of David's reign and the accession of Solomon, forming a narrative transition between the Books of Samuel and the Books of Kings. Since the work of Leonhard Rost, much of 2 Samuel 9–20 and 1 Kings 1–2 has often been treated as a connected "succession narrative" or "court history" concerned with the transfer of power from David to Solomon. The proposed unit's extent, literary unity, date, and original purpose remain disputed.Flanagan 1972 172–181Frolov 2002 81–104 The chapter presents the succession as a contest between two groups within the royal court. Adonijah is supported by the military commander Joab and the he-latn kohen (he הַכֹּהֵן hakkōhēn the priest yes) Abiathar, whereas Solomon's supporters include Bathsheba (his mother), Nathan, the priest Zadok, the military commander Benaiah and David's royal guard. Adonijah asserts his claim by acquiring chariots, horse riders, and runners and by holding a sacrificial feast for selected members of the royal family and court. Solomon is instead installed by David's order, placed on the royal mule, escorted by royal officials, anointed (he מָשַׁח māšaḥ yes none) by Zadok at the Gihon Spring and acclaimed by the people.1 Kings 1:5–10, 1:32–40 HE yes The opening description of David as unable to keep warm (hbo וְלֹא יִחַם לוֹ wəlōʾ yiḥam lô but he could not become warm yes none) establishes both his physical decline and the uncertainty surrounding the succession.1 Kings 1:1 HE Although he initially appears unaware of Adonijah's actions, David resumes the exercise of royal authority after Bathsheba and Nathan approach him: he specifies who is to accompany Solomon, orders that Solomon ride his mule, and directs that Zadok and Nathan anoint him at Gihon.1 Kings 1:1–4, 1:11–14, 1:28–40 HE yes In contrast to explanations of Solomon's accession based on direct divine intervention, the chapter itself recounts his installation through court deliberation, David's command, priestly anointing, military support, and public acclamation. James W. Flanagan argues that this absence of an explicit statement of divine participation distinguishes Solomon's installation from parts of the preceding David narrative.Flanagan 1972 176–177 Biblical parallels Adonijah's conduct recalls Absalom's earlier challenge to David. Both sons acquire chariots, horses, and fifty runners, and both use public royal display before obtaining legitimate authority.2 Samuel 15:1 HE1 Kings 1:5 HE The narrator further associates Adonijah with Absalom by describing his appearance, identifying his birth in relation to Absalom, and observing that David had never questioned his conduct.1 Kings 1:6 HE The parallel is not exact, however: Absalom openly revolts against an active king, while Adonijah acts when David is already physically diminished and the succession has become urgent.Flanagan 1972 174–176 The reappearance of Bathsheba, Nathan and Solomon recalls the account of David and Bathsheba and of Solomon's birth in 2 Samuel 11–12. In 1 Kings 1, Nathan informs Bathsheba of Adonijah's actions and instructs her to approach David; Nathan then enters separately and asks whether David has authorized Adonijah's accession.2 Samuel 11:1–12:25 HE1 Kings 1:11–27 HE Their coordinated intervention prompts David to declare that Solomon will succeed him. The connection between these passages has played an important role in scholarly reconstructions of a succession narrative, although scholars disagree over whether the passages once formed an independent literary work.Flanagan 1972 177–180Frolov 2002 81–104 Solomon's accession may also be read in relation to the promise in 2 Samuel that David's offspring would succeed him and that David's dynasty would endure.2 Samuel 7:12–16 HE First Kings 1, however, contains no new divine oracle identifying Solomon as the promised successor. David acts after Bathsheba invokes an otherwise unrecorded oath that Solomon would reign after him, and the chapter establishes Solomon's authority through David's command and the public installation at Gihon.1 Kings 1:13, 1:17, 1:28–40 HE yes The presentation in 1 Chronicles differs from that in Kings. Chronicles omits Adonijah's attempted accession and depicts David publicly presenting Solomon as chosen by God for the construction of the Temple.1 Chronicles 28:1–8, 29:1 HE yes It then describes Solomon and Zadok as anointed before a national assembly, states that all Israel accepted Solomon, and reports that David's officials, warriors, and sons gave him their support.1 Chronicles 29:20–25 HE Kings consequently preserves a contested, narrowly secured succession, whereas Chronicles presents the transfer of power through divine choice, public designation and broad national assent. Jewish interpretation The opening account of Abishag became the subject of rabbinic legal interpretation. In its discussion of restrictions governing a king's wives, the Talmud asks why David did not marry Abishag and presents a dialogue in which Abishag challenges David concerning her status. The discussion uses the narrative to examine the limits placed on royal marriage rather than treating Abishag only as evidence of David's physical decline.b Sanhedrin 22a:13–14 The Talmud also gives ritual significance to Solomon's installation at Gihon. It teaches that kings are anointed beside a spring as a favorable sign that their reign will continue, citing the instruction to bring Solomon down to Gihon and anoint him there.b Horayot 12a:9–12 This interpretation develops the narrative setting into a general principle concerning royal anointing. Medieval Jewish commentators also address the ambiguity of Nathan's address to David in verse 24. The Hebrew may be understood either as Nathan declaring that David must have authorized Adonijah or as Nathan asking whether David had done so. Rashi (he רש"י yes none), Radak (he רד"ק Radaq yes none), and Ralbag (he רלב"ג none yes) understand the words interrogatively: Nathan asks whether David has said that Adonijah will succeed him.The JPS Tanakh: Gender-Sensitive Edition 2023 The Jewish Publication Society note to 1 Kings 1:24 On this reading, Nathan's speech respectfully confronts David with the possibility that a royal decision has been made without informing the officials who expect Solomon to succeed. David's old age and Abishag (verses 1–4) right|thumb|200px|"King David, Abishag, and a servant", a miniature from the Bible of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça, 1220s (National Library of Portugal) The Books of Kings opens with David old and unable to warm himself. His attendants bring Abishag the Shunammite to serve him and lie beside him, but the narrator states that David was not intimate with her.1 Kings 1:1–4 HE The episode establishes David's physical decline at the beginning of the succession crisis.Dietrich 2007 235Coogan 2007 489 Hebrew Bible Abishag does not speak in the narrative, but her relationship to David later becomes central to Adonijah's request to marry her and Solomon's interpretation of that request as a claim to the throne.1 Kings 2:13–25 HEDietrich 2007 235 Verse 2 The expression translated "a young woman, a virgin" in the Christian NET Bible is hbo נַעֲרָה בְתוּלָה yes none (hbo naʿărâ bətûlâ). The second noun more specifically defines the first, forming an appositional expression.NET Bible note to 1 Kings 1:2 Adonijah's claim to the throne (verses 5–10) Adonijah, David's fourth son, was apparently the oldest surviving royal son after the deaths of Amnon and Absalom.2 Samuel 3:2–5, 13:28–29, 18:14–15 HE yesDietrich 2007 235Coogan 2007 489 Hebrew Bible He presented himself as the prospective king by acquiring chariots, horse riders and fifty runners. The display recalls Absalom's preparations before his revolt.1 Kings 1:5–6 HE Adonijah obtained the support of Joab, the commander of David's army, and Abiathar, the priest, but he was not supported by Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan, David's warriors, or Solomon. He then held a sacrificial feast near the stone of Zoheleth at En-rogel, inviting the king's sons and officials from Judah while excluding Solomon and Solomon's supporters.1 Kings 1:7–10 HEDietrich 2007 235 The selective invitations reveal the division within David's court and distinguish Adonijah's gathering from a publicly authorized royal installation. David designates Solomon (verses 11–37) Nathan informs Bathsheba of Adonijah's actions and instructs her to approach David. Bathsheba reminds David of his oath that Solomon would succeed him and warns that she and Solomon would be endangered if Adonijah's claim prevailed. Nathan then enters separately and asks whether David has authorized Adonijah to succeed him. David responds by reaffirming his oath to Bathsheba that Solomon will reign after him. He summons Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah and orders them to place Solomon on the royal mule, bring him to the Gihon Spring, and anoint him as king. Solomon is then to be brought back to sit on David's throne.1 Kings 1:28–35 HEDietrich 2007 235 David does not formally abdicate in this passage; rather, he authorizes Solomon's immediate installation while continuing to be identified as king. Solomon's installation (verses 38–53) Model of the City of David in the Israel Museum City_of_David.jpg 240 266 right 240 175 84 GihonSpring white center 14 blue white 190 180 KidronValley white center 14 blue white 170 240 ↓ En-rogel white center 14 blue white 20 100 City of David white center 14 blue white 70 10 Temple Mount white center 14 blue white Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, the Cherethites and Pelethites, and other members of David's household escort Solomon to Gihon on David's mule. Zadok takes oil from the tent and anoints Solomon, after which a trumpet is sounded, and the people acclaim him as king.1 Kings 1:38–40 HEDietrich 2007 235Coogan 2007 489 Hebrew Bible Riding David's mule and receiving anointing from the royal priest publicly identify Solomon as David's authorized successor. The sound of the celebration reaches Adonijah's feast, where Jonathan ben Abiathar reports that David has made Solomon king and that Solomon has taken the royal throne. Adonijah's guests disperse, and Adonijah seeks protection by grasping the horns of the altar.1 Kings 1:41–51 HE This action recalls the legal distinction in the book of Exodus between accidental killing, for which refuge may be available, and deliberate murder, for which the altar offers no protection.Exodus 21:12–14 HE Solomon grants Adonijah conditional clemency, declaring that he will be spared if he proves worthy but will die if wrongdoing is found in him. Adonijah is brought down from the altar, bows before Solomon, and is ordered to return home.1 Kings 1:52–53 HEDietrich 2007 235 The chapter thus ends with Solomon exercising royal authority, although the conflict with Adonijah is not finally resolved until the following chapter. See also 22em David's Mighty Warriors Enrogel Haggith Israel Kohen Prophet Shimei Shofar Shunammite Tabernacle Tribe of Judah Zadok Zeruiah Zoheleth Related Hebrew Bible parts: Exodus 21, 2 Samuel 7, 2 Samuel 11, 2 Samuel 12, 2 Samuel 14, 2 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 18, 1 Chronicles 3, 1 Chronicles 29 Notes References Sources Collins John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures Chapter 14: 1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 25 277–296 Fortress Press 2014 https://books.google.com/books?id=fbsoBAAAQBAJ 9781451469233 Coogan Michael David Michael D. Coogan The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 Coogan Michael David Marc Zvi Brettler Carol Ann Newsom Pheme Perkins Augmented 3rd Oxford University Press 2007 9780195288810 https://books.google.com/books?id=HmpMPgAACAAJ Dietrich Walter 13. 1 and 2 Kings The Oxford Bible Commentary John Barton John Barton (theologian) John Muddiman John Muddiman Oxford University Press first (paperback) 2007 232–266 978-0199277186 https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ February 6, 2019 Fitzmyer Joseph A. A Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company https://books.google.com/books?id=TILXeWJ2eNAC 2008 9780802862419 Grand Rapids, MI Halley Henry H. Henry Hampton Halley Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary 24th (revised) Zondervan Publishing House 1965 https://archive.org/details/halleysbiblehand00henr registration 0-310-25720-4 Hayes Christine Introduction to the Bible Yale University Press 2015 https://books.google.com/books?id=SKbkXYHxvlAC 978-0300188271 Leithart Peter J. 1 & 2 Kings Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible Brazos Press 2006 978-1587431258 McKane William Kings, Book of Metzger Bruce M Bruce M. Metzger Coogan Michael D The Oxford Companion to the Bible https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195046458 registration Oxford University Press 1993 409–413 978-0195046458 Metzger Bruce M Bruce M. Metzger Coogan Michael D The Oxford Companion to the Bible Oxford University Press 1993 978-0195046458 Ulrich Eugene The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants 2010 Brill https://archive.org/details/TheBiblicalQumranScrolls Würthwein Ernst Ernst Würthwein The Text of the Old Testament Wm. B. Eerdmans Grand Rapids, MI 1995 Erroll F. Rhodes 0-8028-0788-7 https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC January 26, 2019 External links Jewish translations: Melachim I - I Kings - Chapter 1 (Judaica Press). Hebrew text and English translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org Christian translations: Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English) 1 Kings chapter 1. Bible Gateway 01