11. David ruled Israel 40 years. He ruled seven years in Hebron and 33 years in Jerusalem.
12. Now Solomon was king. He sat on the throne of his father David and was in complete control of his kingdom.
13. One day Adonijah, the son of Haggith, went to Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba. She asked him, “Do you come in peace?” Adonijah answered, “Yes, this is a peaceful visit.
14. I have something to ask you.” Bathsheba said, “Then speak.”
15. Adonijah said, “You know that at one time the kingdom was mine. All the people of Israel wanted me to be their king. But things have changed, and now my brother is the king. The Lord chose him to be king.
16. But now I have one thing to ask you. Please don’t refuse me.” Bathsheba answered, “What do you want?”
17. Adonijah said, “I know that King Solomon will do whatever you ask. So please ask him to let me marry Abishag, the woman from Shunem.”
18. Then Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak to the king for you.”
19. So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to talk with him. When the king saw her, he stood up, bowed before her, and then sat back down. He told some servants to bring another throne for his mother, and she sat down at his right side.
20. Bathsheba said to him, “I have one small thing to ask you. Please don’t refuse me.” The king answered, “Ask whatever you want, mother. I will not refuse you.”
21. So Bathsheba said, “Let your brother Adonijah marry Abishag, the woman from Shunem.”
22. King Solomon answered his mother, “Why are you asking me to give Abishag to Adonijah? Why don’t you just ask me to give him the whole kingdom! After all, he is my older brother, and both Abiathar the priest and Joab support him!”
23. Then Solomon said, “By the Lord, I swear I’ll make Adonijah pay for this with his life!
24. The Lord made me the king of Israel. He gave me the throne of my father David. The Lord kept his promise and gave the kingdom to me and my family. Now, as surely as the Lord lives, I swear Adonijah will die today!”
25. King Solomon gave the command to Benaiah, and Benaiah went out and killed Adonijah.
26. Then King Solomon said to Abiathar the priest, “I should kill you, but I will let you go back to your home in Anathoth. I will not kill you now because you helped carry the Holy Box of the Lord GOD while marching with my father David. And I know that you shared in the hard times with my father.”