1King David had grown old, and although he was covered with blankets, he couldn't get warm. 2His officials told him, "Your Majesty, let us search for a young woman who has never been married. She can stay with you and be your servant. She can lie in your arms and keep you warm." 3So they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful, young woman. They found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king. 4The woman was very beautiful. She became the king's servant and took care of him, but the king did not make love to her.

5Adonijah, son of Haggith, was very handsome. His mother gave birth to him after Maacah had Absalom. Adonijah was boasting that he was king. So he got a chariot and horses and 50 men to run ahead of him. 6His father had never confronted him by asking why he was doing this. 7But Adonijah had discussed his actions with Joab (son of Zeruiah) and with the priest Abiathar, so they supported him. 8But the priest Zadok, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the prophet Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and David's [thirty] fighting men did not join Adonijah.

9Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves at Zoheleth Rock near En Rogel. He had invited all his brothers, the king's [other] sons, all the men of Judah, and the king's officials. 10But he didn't invite the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, the fighting men, or his brother Solomon.

11Then Nathan asked Solomon's mother Bathsheba, "Haven't you heard that Adonijah, Haggith's son, has become king, and our master David doesn't [even] know about it? 12Bathsheba, let me give you some advice about how to save your life and your son's life. 13Go to King David and ask him, 'Your Majesty, didn't you swear to me that my son Solomon will be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? Why is Adonijah acting as king?' 14And while you're still there talking to the king, I'll come in and confirm what you have said."

15Bathsheba went to the king in his private room. The king was very old, and Abishag from Shunem was taking care of him. 16Bathsheba knelt and bowed down in front of the king. "What do you want?" the king asked. 17"Sir," she answered, "you took an oath to the LORD your God. You said that my son Solomon will be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne. 18But now, you see, Adonijah has become king, and you don't [even] know anything about it, Your Majesty. 19He has sacrificed many fattened calves, bulls, and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army [to his feast]. But he hasn't invited your servant Solomon. 20All Israel is looking to you, Your Majesty, to tell them who should succeed you on your throne. 21Otherwise, my son Solomon and I will be treated like criminals when you lie down in death with your ancestors."

22While she was still talking to the king, the prophet Nathan arrived. 23The servants told the king, "The prophet Nathan is here." When he came to the king, he bowed down in front of him. 24Nathan said, "Your Majesty, you must have said that Adonijah will be king after you and that he will sit on your throne, 25because today he went and sacrificed many bulls, fattened calves, and sheep. He invited all the king's sons, the army's commanders, and the priest Abiathar [to his feast]. They are eating and drinking with him and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!' 26But he didn't invite me or the priest Zadok or Benaiah, who is Jehoiada's son, or your servant Solomon. 27Did you allow this to happen without telling me who would sit on your throne next?"

28Then King David answered, "Call Bathsheba in here." So she stood in front of him, 29and he swore an oath. He said, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD who has saved my life from all trouble lives, 30I will do today exactly what I swore to you by the LORD God of Israel. Your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne." 31Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face touching the ground in front of the king. "May Your Majesty, King David, live forever!" she said.

32King David said, "Summon the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah, son of Jehoiada." So they came to the king, 33and he said, "Take my officials with you. Put my son Solomon on my mule, and take him to Gihon. 34Have the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan anoint him king of Israel there. Then blow the ram's horn and say, 'Long live King Solomon!' 35Follow him [back] here when he comes to sit on my throne. He will be king in place of me. I have appointed him to be the leader of Israel and Judah." 36"So be it!" Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, answered the king. "The LORD your God says so too. 37As the LORD has been with you, so may he be with Solomon. May Solomon be an even greater king than you, King David."

38Then the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the Cherethites, and the Pelethites put Solomon on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon. 39The priest Zadok took the container of olive oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the ram's horn, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" 40All the people followed him, blew flutes, and celebrated so loudly that their voices shook the ground.

41Adonijah and all his guests heard this as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the horn, he asked, "What's the reason for the noise in the city?" 42He was still speaking when Jonathan, son of the priest Abiathar, arrived. "Come in," Adonijah said. "You're an honorable man, so you must be bringing good news." 43"Not at all," Jonathan answered Adonijah. "His Majesty King David has made Solomon king. 44The king has sent the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the Cherethites, and the Pelethites with him. They have put him on the king's mule. 45The priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan have anointed him king at Gihon. They have come from there celebrating, so the city is excited. That is the sound you heard. 46Solomon is now seated on the royal throne. 47Furthermore, the royal officials have come [to congratulate] His Majesty King David, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and his reign greater than your reign.' The king himself bowed down on his bed 48and said, 'Praise the LORD God of Israel who has let me see the heir to my throne.'"

49Adonijah's guests were frightened, so they got up and scattered in all directions. 50Adonijah was afraid of Solomon. He got up, went [to the tent of meeting,] and took hold of the horns of the altar. 51Someone told Solomon, "Adonijah is afraid of you, King Solomon. He is holding on to the horns of the altar and saying, 'Make King Solomon swear to me today that he will not have me killed.'" 52Solomon said, "If he will behave like an honorable man, not one hair on his head will fall to the ground. But if he does [anything] wrong, he will die." 53King Solomon sent men to take him from the altar. Adonijah bowed down in front of King Solomon. "Go home," Solomon told him.