1 Kings 1:15-31

15So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)

16Bathsheba bowed down before the king. “What can I do for you?” he asked her.

17She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’

18But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it.

19He has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.

20And now, my lord the king, all Israel is waiting for you to announce who will become king after you.

21If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died.”

22While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.

23The king’s officials told him, “Nathan the prophet is here to see you.” Nathan went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.

24Nathan asked, “My lord the king, have you decided that Adonijah will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne?

25Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. They are feasting and drinking with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

26But he did not invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or your servant Solomon.

27Has my lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king?”

28King David responded, “Call Bathsheba!” So she came back in and stood before the king.

29And the king repeated his vow: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger,

30your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel.”

31Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, “May my lord King David live forever!”