6. Yet his father would never antagonize him by asking, “Why are you doing this?” Adonijah was also very handsome, and next in age to Absalom by the same mother.
7. He consulted with Joab, son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest, and they became Adonijah’s supporters.
8. However, Zadok the priest, Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei, and David’s warriors did not support Adonijah.
9. Adonijah slaughtered sheep, oxen, and fatlings at the stone Zoheleth near En-rogel and invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah;
10. but he did not invite Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah, or the warriors, or Solomon his brother.
11. Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother: “Have you not heard that Adonijah, son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David does not know?
12. Come now, let me advise you so that you may save your life and the life of your son Solomon.
13. Go, visit King David, and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord king, swear to your handmaid: Your son Solomon shall be king after me; it is he who shall sit upon my throne? Why, then, has Adonijah become king?’
14. And while you are still there speaking to the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”
15. So Bathsheba visited the king in his room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunamite was caring for the king.
16. Bathsheba bowed in homage to the king. The king said to her, “What do you wish?”
17. She answered him: “My lord, you swore to your servant by the Lord, your God, ‘Solomon your son will be king after me; it is he who shall sit upon my throne.’
18. But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord king, do not know it.
19. He has sacrificed bulls, fatlings, and sheep in great numbers; he has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the commander of the army, but not your servant Solomon.
20. Now, my lord king, all Israel is looking to you to declare to them who is to sit upon the throne of my lord the king after him.
21. If this is not done, when my lord the king rests with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”