David Grows Old and Frail
1 1 King David was old, advanced in years. They covered him with clothes, but he couldn't get warm. 2 His servants told him, "Find a young virgin for my lord the king to serve and care for him. Let her lie in your arms, so my lord the king stays warm." 3 They searched all Israel for a beautiful young woman, found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very beautiful. She became the king's caregiver and served him, but he had no relations with her.
Adonijah Grasps for the Throne
5 Adonijah son of Haggith pushed himself forward, saying, 'I will be king,' and got chariots, horsemen, and fifty men to run ahead of him. 6 His father never corrected him, asking, "Why have you done this?" He too was very handsome, born after Absalom. 7 He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, who supported Adonijah and helped him. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's warriors weren't with Adonijah.
9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by Zoheleth stone near En-rogel, inviting all his brothers, the king's sons, and all Judah's royal officials. 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.
11 Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Haven't you heard Adonijah son of Haggith reigns, and our lord David doesn't know? 12 Now let me advise you, so you can save your own life and your son Solomon's life. 13 Go to King David and say, 'My lord king, didn't you swear to your servant that Solomon your son would reign after me and sit on my throne? Why then does Adonijah reign?' 14 While you're still speaking there with the king, I'll come in behind you and confirm your words."
15 Bathsheba went in to the king in his room—he was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving him. 16 Bathsheba bowed low and paid homage to the king, and the king said, "What do you want?"
17 She said, "My lord, you swore to me by your Father: Solomon your son will reign after me and sit on my throne." 18 But now Adonijah is king, and you, my lord the king, don't know it. 19 He sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and many sheep, and invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the army commander, but not Solomon your servant. 20 My lord the king, all Israel's eyes are on you to tell them who will sit on my lord the king's throne after him. 21 Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, my son Solomon and I will be counted guilty.
22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23 They told the king, "Nathan the prophet is here." He entered, bowed to the king, face-down.
24 Nathan said, "My lord the king, did you say, 'Adonijah will reign after me and sit on my throne'? 25 Today he went down and sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and many sheep, inviting all the king's sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. They're eating and drinking before him, shouting, 'Long live King Adonijah!' 26 But me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon—Adonijah didn't invite. 27 Did my lord the king order this without telling us servants who will sit on his throne after him?
David Swears Solomon Will Reign
28 King David answered, "Call Bathsheba to me." She came before the king and stood in his presence. 29 The king swore: "As our Father lives, who rescued my life from every distress," 30 As I swore to you by our Father, the God of Israel, Solomon your son will reign after me and sit on my throne in my place—I will do today.
31 Bathsheba bowed face to ground, prostrated before the king, and said, 'May my lord King David live forever!'
32 King David said, "Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." They came before the king. 33 The king said, "Take your lord's servants, put my son Solomon on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon." 34 Have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel there; sound the horn, shout, 'Long live King Solomon!' 35 Then come up after him, and he will come and sit on my throne and reign in my place, for I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.
36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May our Father, God of my lord the king, confirm it." 37 As our Father was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than my lord King David's throne.
38 Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites went down, put Solomon on King David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. 39 Zadok the priest took the oil horn from the tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet, and everyone shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
40 All the people went up after him, playing flutes, rejoicing greatly, and the ground split with their noise.
41 Adonijah and all his guests heard it, finishing their meal. Hearing the horn, Joab asked, "Why is the city in an uproar?"
42 He was still speaking when Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, "Come in—you're a worthy man, and surely bring good news."
43 But Jonathan said to Adonijah, "No — our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44 The king sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites with him; they set him on the king's mule. 45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king at Gihon, and came up from there celebrating; the city roars — that's the noise you heard. 46 And Solomon has even taken his seat on the royal throne. 47 The king's servants also came to congratulate our lord King David: 'May your Father make Solomon's name greater than yours, his throne greater than yours.' Then the king bowed on his bed. 48 The king also said, 'Blessed be our Father, God of Israel, who today gave someone to sit on my throne, my own eyes seeing it.'
49 Then all of Adonijah's guests were terrified. They rose and scattered, each going his own way. 50 But Adonijah, afraid of Solomon, got up, went, and took hold of the altar's horns. a a v50 Grabbing the projecting corners of the altar was an ancient act of seeking sanctuary — a desperate plea for mercy and protection from execution. 51 Solomon was told, "Adonijah fears you and has grabbed the altar's horns, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me first not to kill his servant by the sword.'"
52 Solomon said, "If he is worthy, not a hair of his will fall to the ground; if evil is found in him, he dies."
53 King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed to King Solomon, and Solomon said, 'Go home.'
