1 Kings 1:11-31

11Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king and our lord David does not know it?

12Now please come and let me advise you. Save your life and the life of your son Solomon.

13Go, approach King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your servant: Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne? So why has Adonijah become king?’

14At that moment, while you are still there speaking with the king, I’ll come in after you and confirm your words.”

15So Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was attending to him.

16Bathsheba knelt low and paid homage to the king, and he asked, “What do you want?”

17She replied, “My lord, you swore to your servant by the Lord your God, ‘Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne.’

18Now look, Adonijah has become king. And, my lord the king, you didn’t know it.

19He has lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the king’s sons, the priest Abiathar, and Joab the commander of the army, but he did not invite your servant Solomon.

20Now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals.”

22At that moment, while she was still speaking with the king, the prophet Nathan arrived,

23and it was announced to the king, “The prophet Nathan is here.” He came into the king’s presence and paid homage to him with his face to the ground.

24“My lord the king,” Nathan said, “did you say, ‘Adonijah is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne’?

25For today he went down and lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and the priest Abiathar. And look! They’re eating and drinking in his presence, and they’re saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

26But he did not invite me — me, your servant — or the priest Zadok or Benaiah son of Jehoiada or your servant Solomon.

27I’m certain my lord the king would not have let this happen without letting your servant know who will sit on my lord the king’s throne after him.”

28King David responded by saying, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.

29The king swore an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every difficulty,

30just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel: Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne in my place, that is exactly what I will do this very day.”

31Bathsheba knelt low with her face to the ground, paying homage to the king, and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”