20. Your Majesty, everyone in Israel is waiting for you to announce who will be the next king.
21. If you don't, they will say that Solomon and I have rebelled. They will treat us like criminals and kill us as soon as you die.
22. Just then, Nathan the prophet arrived.
23. Someone told David that he was there, and Nathan came in. He bowed with his face to the ground
24. and said:Your Majesty, did you say that Adonijah would be king?
25. Earlier today, he sacrificed a lot of cattle, calves, and sheep. He invited the army commanders, Abiathar, and all your sons to be there. Now they are eating and drinking and shouting, “Long live King Adonijah!”
26. But he didn't invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or Solomon.
27. Did you say they could do this without telling the rest of us who would be the next king?
28. David said, “Tell Bathsheba to come here.” She came and stood in front of him.
29-30. Then he said, “The living Lord God of Israel has kept me safe. And so today, I will keep the promise I made to you in his name: Solomon will be the next king!”
31. Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Your Majesty, I pray that you will live a long time!”
32. Then David said, “Tell Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah to come here.”When they arrived,
33. he told them:Take along some of my officials and let Solomon ride my own mule to Gihon Spring.
34. When you get there, Zadok and Nathan will make Solomon the new king of Israel. Then after the ceremony is over, make someone blow a trumpet and tell everyone to shout, “Long live King Solomon!”