This and the following Book are called by the holy fathers the third andfourth book of Kings; but by the Hebrews, the first and second. Theycontain the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Juda, from thebeginning of the reign of Solomon, to the captivity. As to the writer ofthese books, it seems most probable they were not written by one man;nor at one time; but as there was all along a succession of prophets inIsrael, who recorded, by divine inspiration, the most remarkable thingsthat happened in their days, these books seem to have been written bythese prophets. See 2 Paralip. alias 2 Chron. 9.29; 12.15; 13.22; 20.34;26.22; 32.32.3 Kings Chapter 1King David growing old, Abisag a Sunamitess is brought to him. Adoniaspretending to reign, Nathan and Bethsabee obtain that Solomon should bedeclared and anointed king.1:1. Now king David was old, and advanced in years: and when he wascovered with clothes he was not warm.1:2. His servants therefore, said to him: Let us seek for our Lord theking, a young virgin, and let her stand before the king, and cherishhim, and sleep in his bosom and warm our lord the king.1:3. So they sought a beautiful young woman, in all the coasts of Israeland they found Abisag, a Sunamitess, and brought her to the king.1:4. And the damsel was exceedingly beautiful, and she slept with theking, and served him, but the king did not know her.1:5. And Adonias, the son of Haggith, exalted himself, saying: I will beking. And he made himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to runbefore him.1:6. Neither did his father rebuke him at any time, saying: Why hastthou done this? And he also was very beautiful, the next in birth afterAbsalom.1:7. And he conferred with Joab, the son of Sarvia, and with Abiathar,the priest, who furthered Adonias’s side.1:8. But Sadoc, the priest, and Banaias, the son of Joiada, and Nathan,the prophet, and Semei, and Rei, and the strength of David’s army, wasnot with Adonias.1:9. And Adonias having slain rams and calves, and all fat cattle, bythe stone of Zoheleth, which was near the fountain Rogel, invited allhis brethren, the king’s sons, and all the men of Juda, the king’sservants:1:10. But Nathan, the prophet, and Banaias, and all the valiant men, andSolomon, his brother, he invited not.1:11. And Nathan said to Bethsabee, the mother of Solomon: Hast thou notheard that Adonias, the son of Haggith, reigneth, and our lord Davidknoweth it not?1:12. Now then, come, take my counsel, and save thy life, and the lifeof thy son Solomon.1:13. Go, and get thee in to king David, and say to him: Didst not thou,my lord, O king, swear to me, thy handmaid, saying: Solomon, thy son,shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne? why then dothAdonias reign?1:14. And while thou art yet speaking there with the king, I will comein after thee, and will fill up thy words.1:15. So Bethsabee went in to the king into the chamber. Now the kingwas very old, and Abisag, the Sunamitess, ministered to him.1:16. Bethsabee bowed herself, and worshipped the king. And the kingsaid to her: What is thy will?1:17. She answered, and said: My lord, thou didst swear to thy handmaid,by the Lord thy God, saying: Solomon, thy son, shall reign after me, andhe shall sit on my throne.1:18. And behold, now Adonias reigneth, and thou, my lord the king,knowest nothing of it.1:19. He hath killed oxen, and all fat cattle, and many rams, andinvited all the king’s sons, and Abiathar, the priest, and Joab, thegeneral of the army: but Solomon, thy servant, he invited not.1:20. And now, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee,that thou shouldst tell them, who shall sit on thy throne, my lord theking, after thee.1:21. Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king sleepethwith his fathers, that I, and my son, Solomon, shall be accountedoffenders.1:22. As she was yet speaking with the king, Nathan, the prophet, came.1:23. And they told the king, saying: Nathan, the prophet, is here. Andwhen he was come in before the king, and had worshipped, bowing down tothe ground,1:24. Nathan said: My lord, O king, hast thou said: Let Adonias reignafter me, and let him sit upon my throne?1:25. Because he is gone down to day, and hath killed oxen, andfatlings, and many rams, and invited all the king’s sons, and thecaptains of the army, and Abiathar the priest: and they are eating anddrinking before him, and saying: God save king Adonias:1:26. But me, thy servant, and Sadoc,
