³⁸Then the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the Cherethites, and the Pelethites put Solomon on King David’s mule and brought him to Gihon. ³⁹The priest Zadok took the container of olive oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. They blew the ram’s horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” ⁴⁰All the people followed him, blew flutes, and celebrated so loudly that their voices shook the ground.

Adonijah’s Plot Fails

⁴¹Adonijah and all his guests heard this as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the horn, he asked, “What’s the reason for the noise in the city?” ⁴²He was still speaking when Jonathan, son of the priest Abiathar, arrived. “Come in,” Adonijah said. “You’re an honorable man, so you must be bringing good news.”

⁴³“Not at all,” Jonathan answered Adonijah. “His Majesty King David has made Solomon king. ⁴⁴The king has sent the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah (son of Jehoiada), the Cherethites, and the Pelethites with him. They have put him on the king’s mule. ⁴⁵The priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan have anointed him king at Gihon. They have come from there celebrating, so the city is excited. That is the sound you heard. ⁴⁶Solomon is now seated on the royal throne. ⁴⁷Furthermore, the royal officials have come ⸤to congratulate⸥ His Majesty King David, saying, ‘May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours and his reign greater than your reign.’ The king himself bowed down on his bed ⁴⁸and said, ‘Praise the Lord God of Israel who has let me see the heir to my throne.’ ”

⁴⁹Adonijah’s guests were frightened, so they got up and scattered in all directions. ⁵⁰Adonijah was afraid of Solomon. He got up, went ⸤to the tent of meeting,⸥ and took hold of the horns of the altar.^c

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Footnotes

c 1:50 Holding on to the horns of the altar was an appeal for mercy.