1 Kings 1 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
1 Kings 1
The promised kingdom amid human ambition
Editorial Christian reading: Augustine distinguishes Solomon’s partial figure from Christ’s enduring reign [P1, XVII.8].
1:1–4 | David’s weakness and Abishag’s service
Verse MT 1:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:1
King David was old, advanced in days. They covered him with garments, but he did not become warm.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:1
King David was old, advanced in days. They wrapped him in garments, but he did not become warm.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both introduce David’s age and continuing cold despite the clothing. Advanced in days retains the shared idiom without supplying a numerical age or diagnosis.
Verse MT 1:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:2
His servants said to him, “Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king and be one to keep him warm; let her lie in your bosom, so that my lord the king may become warm.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:2
His attendants said, “Let them seek a young virgin for our lord the king. She shall attend the king and keep him warm; she shall lie with him, and our lord the king will become warm.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has my lord and shifts from him to your bosom; Greek consistently has our lord and him, with lie with him. Greek explicitly names warming as her role.
Rabbinic: Rashi understands Hebrew sokhenet as one who warms; that contextual reading is followed here [R1].
Verse MT 1:3 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:3
They sought a beautiful young woman throughout all Israel’s territory. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:3
They sought a beautiful young woman from all Israel’s territory. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The search, woman, affiliation, and arrival agree. The securely corresponding name and affiliation use their familiar English forms.
Verse MT 1:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:4
The young woman was exceedingly beautiful. She kept the king warm and served him, but the king did not know her.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:4
The young woman was exceedingly beautiful. She kept the king warm and ministered to him, but the king did not know her.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both explicitly deny the king’s knowing her, a sexual idiom here. The shared service and warming do not cancel that denial; no motive for it is supplied in the running text.
1:5–10 | Adonijah gathers his supporters
Verse MT 1:5 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:5
Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will reign!” He prepared chariots and horsemen for himself, and fifty men to run before him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:5
Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will reign!” He prepared chariots and horsemen for himself, and fifty men to run ahead of him.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both retain Adonijah’s own claim and the fifty runners. Hebrew’s collective chariot term and Greek’s plural refer to the accompanying chariot display.
Verse MT 1:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:6
His father had never distressed him by saying, “Why have you done this?” He too was very handsome in appearance, and his mother bore him after Absalom.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:6
His father had never restrained him by saying, “Why have you done this?” He too was very handsome in appearance, and his mother bore him after Absalom.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew describes causing pain or displeasure; Greek describes restraint. His mother supplies the contextual subject of she bore, without asserting that Adonijah and Absalom shared a mother.
Rabbinic: Rashi takes the father’s failure to rebuke as a lesson about destructive indulgence [R1].
Verse MT 1:7 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:7
He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, and they helped by following Adonijah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:7
He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, and they helped by following Adonijah.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both describe the same consultation and political support. The following language is retained rather than expanded into an unstated agreement.
Verse MT 1:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:8
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men were not with Adonijah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:8
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men were not following Adonijah.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: With and following express the same division of allegiance. The names and the complete list agree.
Verse MT 1:9 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:9
Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened animals beside the stone of Zoheleth, near En-rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah who were the king’s servants.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:9
Adonijah sacrificed sheep, calves, and lambs beside the stone of Zoheleth, near the spring of Rogel. He invited all his brothers and all the prominent men of Judah, the king’s attendants.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the king’s sons and specifies prominent men; the animal list also differs. En-rogel and spring of Rogel represent the corresponding place without inventing a second spring.
Verse MT 1:10 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:10
But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:10
But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both preserve the same exclusion list and explicitly identify Solomon as Adonijah’s brother.
1:11–27 | Nathan and Bathsheba appeal to David
Verse MT 1:11 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:11
Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, while our lord David does not know it?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:11
Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, while our lord David does not know it?
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both introduce Nathan’s report with a question and distinguish Adonijah’s action from David’s knowledge.
Verse MT 1:12 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:12
Now come, please let me give you counsel, and save your life and the life of your son Solomon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:12
Now come, let me give you counsel, and rescue your life and the life of your son Solomon.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The Hebrew appeal and Greek urgent counsel have the same purpose. Life is the contextual sense of nephesh and psychē in this threat to the succession.
Verse MT 1:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:13
Go in to King David and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why, then, has Adonijah become king?’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:13
Come, enter King David’s presence and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why, then, has Adonijah become king?’
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The introductory movement expressions differ slightly; the oath and question agree. Bathsheba’s servant language is courtly self-address, not an independent statement of enslavement.
Verse MT 1:14 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:14
Look, while you are still speaking there with the king, I will come in after you and complete your words.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:14
Look, while you are still speaking there with the king, I will come in after you and complete your words.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both give Nathan’s planned sequence and the image of completing her words. Neither states that the coming testimony is fabricated.
Verse MT 1:15 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:15
Bathsheba entered the king’s chamber. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:15
Bathsheba entered the king’s chamber. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The private setting, David’s age, and Abishag’s attendance agree.
Verse MT 1:16 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:16
Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself before the king. The king said, “What is your concern?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:16
Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself before the king. The king said, “What is your concern?”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The bodily gestures and opening question agree. Prostration here is obeisance before a human king.
Verse MT 1:17 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:17
She said to him, “My lord, you swore by YHWH your God to your servant, ‘Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:17
She said, “My lord the king, you swore by the Lord your God to your servant, saying, ‘Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek expressly includes the king in the address and saying before the quotation. The oath’s content agrees; YHWH and Lord follow the respective sources.
Verse MT 1:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:18
Now look, Adonijah has become king, and now, my lord the king, you do not know it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:18
Now look, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know it.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew repeats now, while Greek directly emphasizes you. Both preserve Bathsheba’s statement about David’s lack of knowledge.
Verse MT 1:19 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:19
He has sacrificed cattle, fattened animals, and sheep in abundance. He has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the army commander, but he has not invited your servant Solomon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:19
He has sacrificed calves, lambs, and sheep in abundance. He has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the force, but he has not invited your servant Solomon.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Cattle and fattened animals differ from Greek calves and lambs. Unlike Greek verse 9, this report explicitly includes the king’s sons in both sources.
Verse MT 1:20 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:20
As for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you, for you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:20
As for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are directed toward you, for you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both retain the eyes-of-Israel image and the shift from directly addressing David to referring to him as my lord the king.
Verse MT 1:21 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:21
When my lord the king lies down with his fathers, my son Solomon and I will be offenders.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:21
When my lord the king lies down with his fathers, my son Solomon and I will be sinners.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Hebrew hattaim and Greek hamartoloi correspond in meaning here. Offenders and sinners are ordinary English alternatives in Bathsheba’s forecast of threatened royal liability, not evidence of a textual difference. The narrator does not independently pronounce their guilt.
Rabbinic: Rashi instead explains the Hebrew term as deprivation of royal standing [R1, on 1:21].
Verse MT 1:22 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:22
While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:22
While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both make Nathan’s arrival overlap Bathsheba’s speech, as planned in verse 14.
Verse MT 1:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:23
They told the king, “Look, Nathan the prophet!” He came before the king and prostrated himself before the king, face to the ground.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:23
The king was told, “Look, Nathan the prophet!” He came before the king and prostrated himself before the king, face to the ground.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew has plural reporters; Greek uses a passive announcement. The audience and repeated royal reference agree.
Verse MT 1:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:24
Nathan said, “My lord the king, did you say, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:24
Nathan said, “My lord the king, you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew is read as an indignant question; the printed Greek presents a statement. The quotation remains attributed to Nathan’s address, not independent narration of a royal decree.
Rabbinic: Rashi explicitly construes the Hebrew as a question [R1].
Verse MT 1:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:25
For he went down today and sacrificed cattle, fattened animals, and sheep in abundance. He invited all the king’s sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. Look, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:25
For he went down today and sacrificed calves, lambs, and sheep in abundance. He invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the force, and Abiathar the priest. Look, they are eating and drinking before him and have said, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The animal vocabulary differs as in verse 19. Hebrew recounts the acclamation within the scene; Greek expressly uses a past said. Both preserve the reported feast and declaration.
Verse MT 1:26 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:26
But me—me, your servant—and Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he did not invite.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:26
But me—me, your servant—and Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he did not invite.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both emphasize Nathan personally and retain the complete exclusion list and repeated servant designation.
Verse MT 1:27 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:27
Has this matter come from my lord the king without your informing your servant who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:27
Has this matter come about through my lord the king without your informing your servant who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Hebrew follows qere singular your servant against written your servants [Q1; R1], agreeing with Greek. The if-construction is rendered as a rhetorical question challenging the absence of notification; it does not assert that David authorized Adonijah.
The anointed son receives the throne
Editorial reading under the same royal promise; the narrative’s political acts retain their own historical meaning.
1:28–40 | Solomon is anointed at Gihon
Verse MT 1:28 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:28
King David answered, “Call Bathsheba to me.” She came before the king and stood before the king.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:28
David answered, “Call Bathsheba to me.” She came before the king and stood before him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names King David and repeats before the king; Greek initially names David alone and ends with him. The summons and arrival agree.
Verse MT 1:29 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:29
The king swore, saying, “As YHWH lives, who redeemed my life from every distress,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:29
The king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who redeemed my life from every affliction,
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both ground the oath in the living Lord’s deliverance. The sentence continues into verse 30.
Verse MT 1:30 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:30
just as I swore to you by YHWH, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I will indeed do this very day.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:30
just as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I will indeed do this very day.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both repeat the earlier oath and make its execution immediate. The emphatic completion is retained without adding a new promise.
Verse MT 1:31 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:31
Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and prostrated herself before the king. She said, “May my lord King David live forever!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:31
Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and prostrated herself before the king. She said, “May my lord King David live forever!”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both preserve the extended royal acclamation. It remains Bathsheba’s speech in its court setting.
Verse MT 1:32 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:32
King David said, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada to me.” They came before the king.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:32
King David said, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada to me.” They came before the king.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The three summoned figures, their designations, and their response agree.
Verse MT 1:33 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:33
The king said to them, “Take your lord’s servants with you. Have my son Solomon ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:33
The king said to them, “Take your lord’s servants with you. Mount my son Solomon on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both specify David’s own mule and the same destination; Greek Gion securely corresponds to Gihon.
Rabbinic: Rashi understands riding the royal mule as a sign of Solomon’s advancement to kingship [R1].
Verse MT 1:34 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:34
There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet shall anoint him king over Israel. Blow the horn and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:34
There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Sound the horn and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The appointment, anointing, horn, and acclamation agree. Neither running column inserts Christ’s name in place of Solomon.
Verse MT 1:35 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:35
Then you shall go up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne. He shall reign in my place; I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:35
He shall sit on my throne and reign in my place; I have commanded that he be leader over Israel and Judah.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the instructions to go up after him and for him to come. The accession and authority over Israel and Judah remain in both texts.
Verse MT 1:36 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:36
Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May YHWH, the God of my lord the king, say so.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:36
Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, “May it be! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, confirm it so.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek renders the assent explicitly and uses a verb of confirmation where Hebrew says say. Both appeal for divine ratification of David’s command.
Verse MT 1:37 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:37
As YHWH has been with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:37
As the Lord has been with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both retain the blessing that Solomon’s throne exceed David’s. The Hebrew read-form spelling at may He be does not change the sense [Q1].
Verse MT 1:38 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:38
Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down. They had Solomon ride on King David’s mule and brought him to Gihon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:38
Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down. They seated Solomon on King David’s mule and led him away to Gihon.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The riding and seating verbs differ slightly while identifying the same royal mount, escort, and destination. The guards’ names are retained as group designations.
Verse MT 1:39 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:39
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:39
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. He sounded the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has plural horn-blowers; Greek continues with a singular subject, naturally Zadok. Both distinguish the oil container from the sounding horn by their use in context.
Verse MT 1:40 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:40
All the people went up after him. The people played on pipes and rejoiced with great joy, and the earth split at their sound.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:40
All the people went up after him. They danced in choruses and rejoiced with great joy, and the earth burst at their sound.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has pipe-playing; Greek has choral dancing. Both retain the striking earth-splitting image without converting it into a separate reconstructed earthquake report.
1:41–53 | The rival feast disperses; Adonijah seeks refuge
Verse MT 1:41 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:41
Adonijah and all the guests with him heard it as they finished eating. Joab heard the sound of the horn and said, “Why is the city’s sound in such an uproar?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:41
Adonijah and all his guests heard it, and they finished eating. Joab heard the sound of the horn and said, “What is this sound of the echoing city?”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew asks why and describes tumult; Greek asks what and describes echoing. The sequence of hearing and completing the meal is rendered in each source’s own construction.
Verse MT 1:42 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:42
While he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a worthy man and will bring good news.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:42
While he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, for you are a man of ability; bring good news!”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s expectation of good news becomes an explicit command in Greek. The descriptions of Jonathan’s worth or ability overlap; neither makes him the source of the royal decision.
Verse MT 1:43 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:43
Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Indeed, our lord King David has made Solomon king!
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:43
Jonathan answered, “Indeed, our lord King David has made Solomon king!
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew explicitly identifies Adonijah as the recipient. Both emphatically report Solomon’s accession as David’s action.
Verse MT 1:44 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:44
The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites. They had him ride on the king’s mule.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:44
The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites. They seated him on the king’s mule.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both repeat the complete escort and the royal mule. Their riding and seating vocabulary corresponds to verse 38.
Verse MT 1:45 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:45
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king at Gihon. They came up from there rejoicing, and the city was in an uproar. That is the sound you heard.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:45
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king at Gihon. They came up from there rejoicing, and the city echoed. That is the sound you heard.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The report names both anointers, although verse 39 names Zadok as the acting subject. Neither source is harmonized internally; tumult and echoing retain the auditory difference.
Verse MT 1:46 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:46
Moreover, Solomon has sat on the royal throne.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:46
Solomon has sat on the royal throne.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew expressly marks this as an additional fact. Both report Solomon’s enthronement without adding a duration of rule.
Verse MT 1:47 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:47
The king’s servants also came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May God make Solomon’s name better than your name and make his throne greater than your throne.’ The king prostrated himself on the bed.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:47
The king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May God make the name of your son Solomon better than your name and make his throne greater than your throne.’ The king prostrated himself on his bed.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds your son. Hebrew follows qere God against written your God [Q1], agreeing with Greek’s divine designation. Both preserve the king’s bodily response on the bed.
Verse MT 1:48 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:48
The king also said this: ‘Blessed be YHWH, the God of Israel, who today has given one to sit on my throne while my eyes see it!’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:48
The king also said this: ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who today has given one from my offspring to sit on my throne while my eyes see it!’”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek expressly adds from my offspring. Both make the king a living witness to the succession rather than introducing a posthumous accession.
Saints: Augustine, City of God XVII.8, notes that Solomon began reigning while David still lived and argues that the enduring promise finds its full realization in Christ [P1]. This is theological reception, not a change to the succession report.
Verse MT 1:49 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:49
All Adonijah’s guests trembled and rose. Each went his own way.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:49
All Adonijah’s guests were astonished and rose. Each went his own way.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew emphasizes trembling; Greek astonishment. Both retain the dispersal of all the guests.
Verse MT 1:50 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:50
Adonijah was afraid of Solomon. He rose, went away, and took hold of the horns of the altar.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:50
Adonijah was afraid of Solomon. He rose, went away, and took hold of the horns of the altar.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both describe fear and grasping the altar’s projections. No unconditional immunity is stated in this verse.
Verse MT 1:51 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:51
Solomon was told, “Look, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon. He has taken hold of the altar’s horns, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:51
Solomon was told, “Look, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon. He is holding fast to the altar’s horns, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today whether he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s conditional oath idiom is rendered as a request not to be killed. Greek expressly includes not after whether; its awkward oath construction is retained for review rather than silently replaced. The following answer conditions Adonijah’s safety on his conduct.
Verse MT 1:52 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:52
Solomon said, “If he proves a worthy man, not one of his hairs will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he shall die.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:52
Solomon said, “If he becomes a man of ability, not one of his hairs shall fall to the ground! But if wickedness is found in him, he shall be put to death.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek’s elliptical if-a-hair-falls oath is given its emphatic negative force; Hebrew states the negative directly. Greek’s passive punishment makes explicit the judicial consequence already implied by the shared condition.
Verse MT 1:53 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 1:53
King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and prostrated himself before King Solomon. Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 1:53
King Solomon sent and brought him down from the altar. He came and prostrated himself before King Solomon. Solomon said to him, “Come, to your house.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has plural agents bringing him down; Greek presents the action under the king’s singular subject. The final movement command differs. Men is supplied in Hebrew from the immediately following plural action.