1 Kings 1:1-27

At this time King David was very old, and although his servants covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. They said to him, “We will look for a young woman to care for you. She will lie close to you and keep you warm.” After searching everywhere in Israel for a beautiful young woman, they found a girl named Abishag from Shunam and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful, and she cared for the king and served him. But the king did not have sexual relations with her. Adonijah was the son of King David and Haggith, and he was very proud. “I will be the king,” he said. So he got chariots and horses for himself and fifty men for his personal bodyguard. Now David had never interfered with Adonijah by questioning what he did. Born next after Absalom, Adonijah was a very handsome man. Adonijah spoke with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, and they agreed to help him. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and King David’s special guard did not join Adonijah. Then Adonijah killed some sheep, cows, and fat calves for sacrifices at the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the other sons of King David, to come, as well as all the men of Judah. But Adonijah did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, his father’s special guard, or his brother Solomon. When Nathan heard about this, he went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. “Have you heard that Adonijah, Haggith’s son, has made himself king?” Nathan asked. “Our real king, David, does not know it. I strongly advise you to save yourself and your sons. Go to King David and tell him, ‘My master and king, you promised that my son Solomon would be king and would rule on your throne after you. Why then has Adonijah become king?’ While you are still talking to the king, I will come in and tell him that what you have said about Adonijah is true.” So Bathsheba went in to see the aged king in his bedroom, where Abishag, the girl from Shunam, was caring for him. Bathsheba bowed and knelt before the king. He asked, “What do you want?” She answered, “My master, you made a promise to me in the name of the LORD your God. You said, ‘Your son Solomon will become king after me, and he will rule on my throne.’ But now, unknown to you, Adonijah has become king. He has killed many cows, fat calves, and sheep for sacrifices. And he has invited all your sons, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he did not invite Solomon, who serves you. My master and king, all the Israelites are watching you, waiting for you to decide who will be king after you. As soon as you die, Solomon and I will be treated as criminals.” While Bathsheba was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. The servants told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So Nathan went to the king and bowed facedown on the ground before him. Nathan said, “My master and king, have you said that Adonijah will be the king after you and that he will rule on your throne? Today he has sacrificed many cows, fat calves, and sheep, and he has invited all your other sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him. They are saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ But he did not invite me, your own servant, or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your son Solomon. Did you do this? Since we are your servants, why didn’t you tell us who should be king after you?”