1 Kings 1:38–50

³⁸So Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the royal bodyguard put Solomon on King David’s mule, and escorted him to the spring of Gihon. ³⁹Zadok took the container of olive oil which he had brought from the Tent of the Lord’s presence, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet, and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” ⁴⁰Then they all followed him back, shouting for joy and playing flutes, making enough noise to shake the ground.

⁴¹As Adonijah and all his guests were finishing the feast, they heard the noise. And when Joab heard the trumpet, he asked, “What’s the meaning of all that noise in the city?” ⁴²Before he finished speaking, Jonathan, the son of the priest Abiathar, arrived. “Come in,” Adonijah said. “You’re a good man—you must be bringing good news.”

⁴³“I’m afraid not,” Jonathan answered. “His Majesty King David has made Solomon king. ⁴⁴He sent Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the royal bodyguard to escort him. They made him ride on the king’s mule, ⁴⁵and Zadok and Nathan anointed him as king at the spring of Gihon. Then they went into the city, shouting for joy, and the people are now in an uproar. That’s the noise you just heard. ⁴⁶Solomon is now the king. ⁴⁷What is more, the court officials went in to pay their respects to His Majesty King David, and said, ‘May your God make Solomon even more famous than you, and may Solomon’s reign be even more prosperous than yours.’ Then King David bowed in worship on his bed ⁴⁸and prayed, ‘Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has today made one of my descendants succeed me as king, and has let me live to see it!’ ”

⁴⁹Then Adonijah’s guests were afraid, and they all got up and left, each going his own way. ⁵⁰Adonijah, in great fear of Solomon, went to the Tent of the Lord’s presence and took hold of the corners of the altar.^b