1. Now King David had become old, advanced in years, and they covered him with garments, but he was not warm.
2. His servants said to him, “Let them search for a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her stand before the king. Let her be of use for him, and let her lie in your lap that my lord the king may be warm.”
3. So they sought a beautiful young woman in all the territory of Israel, and they found Abishag the Shunnamite and brought her to the king.
4. Now the young woman was very beautiful; she was of use for the king, and she served him, but the king did not have sexual relations with her.
5. Now Adonijah the son of Haggith was exalting himself, saying, “I will be king,” so he prepared for himself a chariot and horsemen and fifty men running before him.
6. His father did not rebuke him at any time by saying, “Why did you do so?” Now he was also very handsome of appearance; she had borne him after Absalom.
7. He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported Adonijah.
8. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty warriors were David’s; they were not with Adonijah.
9. And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened animals near the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel. He invited all of his brothers, the sons of the king, and all the men of Judah, the servants of the king.
10. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty warriors or Solomon his brother.
11. Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, but our lord David does not know?
12. So then, come, let me advise you please, that you may save your life and the life of your son, Solomon.
13. Come, go to King David and say to him, ‘Have you not, my lord the king, sworn to your servant, “Surely Solomon your son shall become king after me. And he will sit on my throne”? But why is Adonijah king?’
14. While you are still there speaking with the king, I will enter after you, and I will confirm your words.”
15. So Bathsheba went to the king in the private room. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunnamite was attending the king.