1 Kings 2
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New English Translation

1 Kings 2:17-25

17He said, “Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.”

18Bathsheba replied, “That’s fine, I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.”

19So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand.

20She said, “I would like to ask you for just one small favor. Please don’t refuse me.” He said, “Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.”

21She said, “Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.”

22King Solomon answered his mother, “Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

23King Solomon then swore an oath by the Lord, “May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life!

24Now, as certainly as the Lord lives (he who made me secure, allowed me to sit on my father David’s throne, and established a dynasty for me as he promised), Adonijah will be executed today!”

25King Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah.

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