1 Kings 1:5-40

5At that time, David's son Adonijah, was telling everyone, ‘I will become the next king.’ He got for himself chariots and men who would ride on horses. He also had 50 men to run in front of him as his guards. Haggith was Adonijah's mother.

6His father, David, had never warned him when he did something wrong. He never asked Adonijah, ‘Why are you doing that?’ Adonijah was also very handsome. He was born after Absalom as David's next son.

7Adonijah spoke with Zeruiah's son Joab and with Abiathar, the priest. They said that they would help Adonijah.

8But these people did not join Adonijah's group: Zadok the priest, Jehoiada's son Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei. David's own special soldiers did not join Adonijah either.

9Then Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth that was near En Rogel. He killed sheep, cows and fat calves as sacrifices there. He asked these people to join him: all his brothers, who were King David's sons, all the men of Judah who were the king's officers.

10But he did not ask these people to come: Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, David's own special soldiers, his brother Solomon.

11Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, ‘Have you heard about the things that Haggith's son Adonijah is doing? He has become king, but our master, David, does not know about it.

12Please accept my advice so that you can save your life and the life of Solomon, your son.

13Go to King David and say to him, “My master the king, do you remember your strong promise to me? You told me that my son Solomon would certainly become king after you. You said that he would sit on your throne. So why has Adonijah now become king?”

14While you are still talking to the king, I will come in. I will say that your report is true.’

15So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. The king was very old. Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, was taking care of him.

16Bathsheba bent down low in front of the king. The king asked her, ‘What do you want?’

17She replied, ‘My master, you made a strong promise to me in the name of the Lord your God. You said to me, “Your son Solomon will become king after me. He will sit on my throne.”

18But see what has happened! Adonijah has become king. But, my master the king, you do not even know about it!

19Adonijah has killed many cows, fat calves and sheep as sacrifices. He has asked the all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the leader of the army to join him. But he did not ask your servant Solomon to come.

20My master the king, everyone in Israel is waiting for you to speak. You must tell them who you have chosen to sit on the throne after you.

21If you do not decide this now, there will be trouble for me and my son Solomon. Soon after they bury you in the grave of your ancestors, they will punish us as bad people.’

22While Bathsheba was saying this to the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

23The king's servants told him, ‘Nathan the prophet is here.’ So Nathan went in to the king's bedroom. He bent low with his face towards the ground.

24Nathan said, ‘My master the king, have you decided that Adonijah will become king after you? Have you said that he will sit on your throne?

25Today Adonijah has killed many cows, fat calves and sheep as sacrifices. He has asked all the king's sons, the leaders of the army and Abiathar the priest to join with him. Even now, they are having a big feast with him. They are saying, “May King Adonijah live for a long time!”

26But he did not ask me, your servant, to join him. He did not ask Zadok the priest, Jehoiada's son Benaiah, or your servant Solomon.

27Has my master the king decided this, but you have not told us, your servants? We must know who will sit on your throne to rule as king after you.’

28King David answered Nathan, ‘Send Bathsheba to me!’ So Bathsheba came and she stood in front of the king.

29Then the king made a strong promise. He said, ‘The Lord has saved me from every kind of trouble. I promise this, as surely as the Lord lives!

30I will certainly do what I already promised to you in the name of the Lord, Israel's God. Your son Solomon will become king after me. He will sit on my throne to rule.’

31Then Bathsheba bent down low with her face towards the ground. She said, ‘I pray that my master King David will live for ever!’

32King David said, ‘Send to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Jehoiada's son Benaiah.’ So they came to the king.

33The king said to them, ‘Take my officers with you and put my son Solomon on my own mule. Then lead him down to Gihon, as he rides on the mule.

34There, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet can anoint him to be king over Israel. Make a loud noise with a trumpet and shout, “May King Solomon live for a long time!”

35After that, you must follow him back here. He will sit on my throne as king instead of me. I have chosen him to be ruler over all Israel and Judah.’

36Jehoiada's son Benaiah answered the king, ‘Amen! I agree! I pray that the Lord will cause it to happen! He is the God that my master the king serves.

37The Lord has helped you, my master the king. We pray that he will also be with Solomon. We pray that he will make Solomon's kingdom even greater than the kingdom of my master, King David!’

38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Jehoiada's son Benaiah went to Solomon. David's own personal guards, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, went with them. They put Solomon on King David's mule and they led him to Gihon.

39Zadok the priest filled a horn with special olive oil from the holy tent. Then he poured it on Solomon to anoint him as king. Then they made a loud noise with a trumpet. All the people shouted, ‘May King Solomon live for a long time!’

40Then all the people followed Solomon up into Jerusalem. They made music with flutes and they shouted with joy. The noise caused the ground to shake!