1 Kings 1:5–25

Adonijah Claims the Throne

^5–6*Now that Absalom was dead, Adonijah, the son of David and Haggith, was the eldest surviving son. He was a very handsome man. David had never reprimanded him about anything, and he was ambitious to be king. He provided for himself chariots, horses, and an escort of 50 men. ⁷He talked with Joab (whose mother was Zeruiah) and with Abiathar the priest, and they agreed to support his cause. ⁸But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s bodyguard were not on Adonijah’s side.

⁹One day Adonijah offered a sacrifice of sheep, bulls, and fattened calves at Snake Rock, near the spring of Enrogel. He invited the other sons of King David and the king’s officials who were from Judah to come to this sacrificial feast, ¹⁰but he did not invite his half brother Solomon or Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah, or the king’s bodyguard.

Solomon Is Made King

^11*Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and asked her, “Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son Adonijah has made himself king? And King David doesn’t know anything about it! ¹²If you want to save your life and the life of your son Solomon, I would advise you ¹³to go at once to King David and ask him, ‘Your Majesty, didn’t you solemnly promise me that my son Solomon would succeed you as king? How is it, then, that Adonijah has become king?’ ” ¹⁴And Nathan added, “Then, while you are still talking with King David, I will come in and confirm your story.”

¹⁵So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag, the woman from Shunem, was taking care of him. ¹⁶Bathsheba bowed low before the king, and he asked, “What do you want?”

¹⁷She answered, “Your Majesty, you made me a solemn promise in the name of the Lord your God that my son Solomon would be king after you. ¹⁸But Adonijah has already become king, and you don’t know anything about it. ¹⁹He has offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves, and he invited your sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of your army to the feast, but he did not invite your son Solomon. ²⁰Your Majesty, all the people of Israel are looking to you to tell them who is to succeed you as king. ²¹If you don’t, as soon as you are dead my son Solomon and I will be treated as traitors.”

²²She was still speaking, when Nathan arrived at the palace. ²³The king was told that the prophet was there, and Nathan went in and bowed low before the king. ²⁴Then he said, “Your Majesty, have you announced that Adonijah would succeed you as king? ²⁵This very day he has gone and offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited all your sons, Joab the commander of your army,^a and Abiathar the priest, and just now they are feasting with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’