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1 Kings 1:3-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

3. They searched for a beautiful girl throughout the territory of Israel; they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

4. The girl was of unsurpassed beauty, and she became the king’s caregiver. She served him, but he was not intimate with her.

5. Adonijah son of Haggith kept exalting himself, saying, “I will be king! ” He prepared chariots, cavalry, and 50 men to run ahead of him.

6. But his father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way? ” In addition, he was quite handsome and was born after Absalom.

7. He conspired with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. They supported Adonijah,

8. but Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s warriors did not side with Adonijah.

9. Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah, the servants of the king,

10. but he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the warriors, or his brother Solomon.

11. Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king and our lord David does not know it?

12. Now please come and let me advise you. Save your life and the life of your son Solomon.

13. Go, approach King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your servant: Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne? So why has Adonijah become king? ’

14. At that moment, while you are still there speaking with the king, I’ll come in after you and confirm your words.”

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.

Read complete chapter 1 Kings 1