15. So Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
16. Bathsheba bowed down and paid homage to the king, and he asked, “What do you want? ”
17. She replied, “My lord, you swore to your servant by the Lord your God, ‘Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne.’
18. Now look, Adonijah has become king. And, my lord the king, you didn’t know it.
19. He has lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but he did not invite your servant Solomon.
20. Now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21. Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals.”
22. At that moment, while she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived,
23. and it was announced to the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” He came into the king’s presence and bowed to him with his face to the ground.
24. “My lord the king,” Nathan said, “did you say, ‘Adonijah is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne’?
25. For today he went down and lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And look! They’re eating and drinking in his presence, and they’re saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah! ’
26. But he did not invite me — me, your servant — or Zadok the priest or Benaiah son of Jehoiada or your servant Solomon.
27. I’m certain my lord the king would not have let this happen without letting your servant know who will sit on my lord the king’s throne after him.”
28. King David responded by saying, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.
29. The king swore an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every difficulty,
30. just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel: Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne in my place, that is exactly what I will do this very day.”
31. Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, paying homage to the king, and said, “May my lord King David live forever! ”
32. King David then said, “Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada for me.” So they came into the king’s presence.
33. The king said to them, “Take my servants with you, have my son Solomon ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon.