1 Kings 1 5-1 Kings 1 18
About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting,“ I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him.Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking,“ Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.Adonijah took Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king.But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to support Adonijah.Adonijah went to the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of En rogel, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers— the other sons of King David— and all the royal officials of Judah.But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king’s bodyguard or his brother Solomon.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 our lord David doesn’t even know about it?If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice.Go at once to King David and say to him,‘ My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me,“ Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.”So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom.( He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)Bathsheba bowed down before the king.“ What can I do for you?” he asked her.She replied,“ My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me,‘ Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it.
1 Kings 2 13-1 Kings 2 25
One day Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, came to see Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother.“ Have you come with peaceful intentions?” she asked him.“ Yes,” he said,“ I come in peace.In fact, I have a favor to ask of you.”“ What is it?” she asked.He replied,“ As you know, the kingdom was rightfully mine; all Israel wanted me to be the next king. But the tables were turned, and the kingdom went to my brother instead; for that is the way the Lord wanted it.So now I have just one favor to ask of you. Please don’t turn me down.”“ What is it?” she asked.He replied,“ Speak to King Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request. Ask him to let me marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem.”“ All right,” Bathsheba replied.“ I will speak to the king for you.”So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adonijah’s behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand.“ I have one small request to make of you,” she said.“ I hope you won’t turn me down.”“ What is it, my mother?” he asked.“ You know I won’t refuse you.”“ Then let your brother Adonijah marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem,” she replied.“ How can you possibly ask me to give Abishag to Adonijah?” King Solomon demanded.“ You might as well ask me to give him the kingdom! You know that he is my older brother, and that he has Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah on his side.”Then King Solomon made a vow before the Lord:“ May God strike me and even kill me if Adonijah has not sealed his fate with this request.The Lord has confirmed me and placed me on the throne of my father, David; he has established my dynasty as he promised. So as surely as the Lord lives, Adonijah will die this very day!”So King Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him, and Adonijah was put to death.
