1 Kings 1 5-1 Kings 1 18
Now Adonijah, son of David and Haggith, was promoting himself, boasting,“ I will be king!” He managed to acquire chariots and horsemen, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.( Now his father had never corrected him by saying,“ Why do you do such things?” He was also very handsome and had been born right after Absalom.)He collaborated with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported him.But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s elite warriors did not ally themselves with Adonijah.Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened steers at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, as well as all the men of Judah, the king’s servants.But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the elite warriors, or his brother Solomon.Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother,“ Has it been reported to you that Haggith’s son Adonijah has become king behind our master David’s back?Now let me give you some advice as to how you can save your life and your son Solomon’s life.Visit King David and say to him,‘ My master, O king, did you not solemnly promise your servant,“ Surely your son Solomon will be king after me; he will sit on my throne”? So why has Adonijah become king?’While you are still there speaking to the king, I will arrive and verify your report.”So Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters.( The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)Bathsheba bowed down on the floor before the king. The king said,“ What do you want?”She replied to him,“ My master, you swore an oath to your servant by the LORD your God,‘ Solomon your son will be king after me and he will sit on my throne.’But now, look, Adonijah has become king! But you, my master the king, are not even aware of it!
1 Kings 2 13-1 Kings 2 25
Haggith’s son Adonijah visited Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked,“ Do you come in peace?” He answered,“ Yes.”He added,“ I have something to say to you.” She replied,“ Speak.”He said,“ You know that the kingdom was mine and all Israel considered me king. But then the kingdom was given to my brother, for the LORD decided it should be his.Now I’d like to ask you for just one thing. Please don’t refuse me.” She said,“ Go ahead and ask.”He said,“ Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.”Bathsheba replied,“ That’s fine, I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.”So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand.She said,“ I would like to ask you for just one small favor. Please don’t refuse me.” He said,“ Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.”She said,“ Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.”King Solomon answered his mother,“ Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”King Solomon then swore an oath by the LORD,“ May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life!Now, as certainly as the LORD lives( he who made me secure, allowed me to sit on my father David’s throne, and established a dynasty for me as he promised), Adonijah will be executed today!”King Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah.
