16. Bathsheba bowed down before the king.He asked, “What do you want?”
17. She answered, “My master, you made a promise to me in the name of the Lord your God. You said, ‘Your son Solomon will become king after me. He will rule on my throne.’
18. But now Adonijah has become king. And you did not know it.
19. Adonijah has killed many cows, fat calves and sheep for sacrifices. And he has invited all your sons. He also has invited Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of your army. But he did not invite Solomon, your son who serves you.
20. My master and king, all the people of Israel are watching you. They are waiting for you to decide who will be king after you.
21. As soon as you die, Solomon and I will be treated as criminals.”
22. While Bathsheba was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
23. The servants told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So Nathan went to the king and bowed facedown on the ground before him.
24. Then Nathan said, “My master and king, have you said that Adonijah will be the king after you? Have you decided he will rule on your throne after you?
25. Today he has sacrificed many cows, fat calves and sheep. And he has invited all your other sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him. They are saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
26. But he did not invite me, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada or your son Solomon.
27. Did you do this? We are your servants. Why didn’t you tell us whom you chose to be the king after you?”
28. Then King David said, “Tell Bathsheba to come in!” So she came in and stood before the king.
29. Then the king said, “The Lord has saved me from all trouble. As surely as he lives, I make this promise to you.
30. Today I will do what I promised you in the past. I made that promise in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. I promised that your son Solomon would be king after me. I promised he would rule on my throne after me.”