41. Adonijah and his guests had almost finished eating when they heard the noise. Joab also heard the trumpet and asked, “What's all that noise about in the city?”
42. Just then, Jonathan son of Abiathar came running up. “Come in,” Adonijah said. “An important man like you must have some good news.”
43. Jonathan answered:No, I haven't! David has just announced that Solomon will be king.
44-45. Solomon rode David's own mule to Gihon Spring, and Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and David's special bodyguards went with him. When they got there, Zadok and Nathan made Solomon king. Then everyone celebrated all the way back to Jerusalem. That's the noise you hear in the city.
46. Solomon is now king.
47. And listen to this! David's officials told him, “We pray that your God will help Solomon to be an even greater king!”David was in his bed at the time, but he bowed
48. and prayed, “I praise you, Lord God of Israel. You have made my son Solomon king and have let me live to see it.”
49. Adonijah's guests shook with fear when they heard this news, and they left as fast as they could.
50. Adonijah himself was afraid of what Solomon might do to him, so he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection.
51. Someone told Solomon, “Adonijah is afraid of you and is holding on to the corners of the altar. He wants you to promise that you won't kill him.”
52. Solomon answered, “If Adonijah doesn't cause any trouble, I won't hurt him. But if he does, I'll have him killed.”
53. Then he sent someone to the altar to get Adonijah.After Adonijah came and bowed down, Solomon said, “Adonijah, go home.”