1. At this time King David was very old, and although his servants covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.
2. They said to him, “We will look for a young woman to care for you. She will lie close to you and keep you warm.”
3. After searching everywhere in Israel for a beautiful young woman, they found a girl named Abishag from Shunam and brought her to the king.
4. The girl was very beautiful, and she cared for the king and served him. But the king did not have sexual relations with her.
5. Adonijah was the son of King David and Haggith, and he was very proud. “I will be the king,” he said. So he got chariots and horses for himself and fifty men for his personal bodyguard.
6. Now David had never interfered with Adonijah by questioning what he did. Born next after Absalom, Adonijah was a very handsome man.
7. Adonijah spoke with Joab son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest, and they agreed to help him.
8. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and King David’s special guard did not join Adonijah.
9. Then Adonijah killed some sheep, cows, and fat calves for sacrifices at the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring of Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the other sons of King David, to come, as well as all the men of Judah.