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.”
31. Then Bathsheba bowed facedown on the ground before the king. She said, “Long live my master King David!”
32. Then King David said, “Tell Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada to come in here.” So they came before the king.
33. Then the king said to them, “Take my servants with you and put my son Solomon on my own mule. Take him down to the spring called Gihon.
34. There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet should pour olive oil on him and make him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
35. Then come back here with him. He will sit on my throne and rule in my place. I have chosen him to be the ruler over Israel and Judah.”
36. Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, “This is good! And may your God make it happen.
37. The Lord has always helped you, our king. Let the Lord also help Solomon. And let King Solomon be an even greater king than you.”
38. So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada went down. The Kerethites and Pelethites, the king’s bodyguards, went with them. They put Solomon on King David’s mule and went with him to the spring called Gihon.
39. Zadok the priest took with him the container of olive oil from the Holy Tent. He poured the olive oil on Solomon’s head to show he was the king. Then they blew the trumpet. And all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”