11. When Nathan heard about this, he went to Solomon’s mother Bathsheba and asked her, “Have you heard what Haggith’s son, Adonijah, is doing? He is making himself king. And our master, King David, knows nothing about it.
12. You and your son Solomon are in danger, but I will tell you what to do to save yourself.
13. Go to King David and tell him, ‘My lord and king, you promised me that my son Solomon would be the next king after you. So why is Adonijah becoming the new king?’
14. Then while you are still talking with him, I will come in. After you leave I will tell the king what has happened. This will show that what you said is true.”
15. So Bathsheba went in to see the king in his bedroom. The king was very old. Abishag, the girl from Shunem, was caring for him there.
16. Bathsheba bowed down before the king. The king asked, “What can I do for you?”
17. Bathsheba answered, “Sir, you used the name of the Lord your God and made a promise to me. You said, ‘Your son Solomon will be the next king after me. He will sit on my throne.’
18. Now, you don’t know this, but Adonijah is making himself king.
19. He is giving a big fellowship meal. He has killed many cattle and the best sheep, and he has invited all of your sons to the meal. He also invited Abiathar the priest and Joab, the commander of your army, but he did not invite your faithful son Solomon.
20. Now, my lord and king, all the Israelites are watching you. They are waiting for you to decide who will be the next king after you.
21. If you don’t decide, then after you are buried, these men will say that Solomon and I are criminals.”
22. While Bathsheba was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came to see him.
23. The servants told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” Nathan went in to speak to the king. He bowed down before the king
24. and said, “My lord and king, did you announce that Adonijah will be the new king after you? Have you decided that he will rule the people now?
25. Today he went down into the valley to offer many cattle and the best sheep as fellowship offerings. He invited all your other sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. They are now eating and drinking with him. And they are saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’