8. Be sure to do something about Shimei son of Gera from Bahurim in the territory of Benjamin. He cursed and insulted me the day I went to Mahanaim. But later, when he came to meet me at the River Jordan, I promised that I wouldn't kill him.
9. Now you must punish him. He's an old man, but you're wise enough to know that you must have him killed.
10-11. David was king of Israel forty years. He ruled seven years from Hebron and thirty-three years from Jerusalem. Then he died and was buried in Jerusalem.
12. His son Solomon became king and took control of David's kingdom.
13. One day, Adonijah went to see Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and she asked, “Is this a friendly visit?”“Yes.
14. I just want to talk with you.”“All right,” she told him, “go ahead.”
15. “You know that I was king for a little while,” Adonijah replied. “And everyone in Israel accepted me as their ruler. But the Lord wanted my brother to be king, so now things have changed.
16. Would you do me a favour?”“What do you want?” Bathsheba asked.
17. “Please ask Solomon to let me marry Abishag. He won't say no to you.”
18. “All right,” she said. “I'll ask him.”
19. When Bathsheba went to see Solomon, he stood up to meet her, then bowed low. He sat back down and had another throne brought in, so his mother could sit at his right side.
20. Bathsheba sat down and then asked, “Would you do me a small favour?”Solomon replied, “Mother, just tell me what you want, and I will do it.”
21. “Allow your brother Adonijah to marry Abishag,” she answered.
22. Solomon said:What? Let my elder brother marry Abishag? You may as well ask me to let him rule the kingdom! And why don't you ask such favours for Abiathar and Joab?
23. I swear in the name of the Lord that Adonijah will die because he asked for this! If he doesn't, I pray that God will severely punish me.
24. The Lord made me king in my father's place and promised that the kings of Israel would come from my family. Yes, I swear by the living Lord that Adonijah will die today.
25. “Benaiah,” Solomon shouted, “go and kill Adonijah.” So Adonijah died.