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1 Kings 1:6-18 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

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.

16. Bathsheba knelt and bowed down before the king, and the king asked, “What do you want?”

17. She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Yahweh your God to your servant, ‘Solomon your son surely shall become king after me, and he will sit upon my throne!’

18. But now, look! Adonijah has become king! And now, my lord the king, you do not know!

Read complete chapter 1 Kings 1