7. “Be kind to the children of Barzillai of Gilead. Allow them to eat at your table. They helped me when I ran away from your brother Absalom.
8. “And remember, Shimei son of Gera is here with you. He is from the people of Benjamin in Bahurim. Remember he cursed me the day I went to Mahanaim. Then he came down to meet me at the Jordan River. I promised him before the Lord, ‘Shimei, I will not kill you.’
9. But you should not leave him unpunished. You are a wise man. You will know what to do to him. But you must be sure he is killed.”
10. Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in Jerusalem.
11. He had ruled over Israel 40 years. Seven years were in Hebron, and 33 years were in Jerusalem.
12. Now Solomon became king after David, his father. And he was in control of his kingdom.
13. At this time Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. Bathsheba asked, “Do you come in peace?”Adonijah answered, “Yes. This is a peaceful visit.
14. I have something to say to you.”“You may speak,” she said.
15. Adonijah said, “You remember that at one time the kingdom was mine. All the people of Israel thought I was their king. But things changed. Now my brother is the king because the Lord chose him.
16. So now I have one thing to ask you. Please do not refuse me.”Bathsheba answered, “What do you want?”
17. Adonijah said, “I know King Solomon will do anything you ask him. So please ask him to give me Abishag the Shunammite woman to be my wife.”
18. “Very well,” she answered. “I will speak to the king for you.”
19. So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to talk to him for Adonijah. When Solomon saw her, he stood up to meet her. Then he bowed down to her and sat on the throne. He told some servants to bring another throne for his mother. Then she sat down at his right side.
20. Bathsheba said to him, “I have one small thing to ask you. Please do not refuse me.”The king answered, “Ask, mother. I will not refuse you.”
21. So she said, “Allow Abishag the Shunammite woman to marry your brother Adonijah.”
22. King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you ask me to give him Abishag? Why don’t you ask for him to become the king also since he is my older brother? Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah will support him!”
23. Then King Solomon made a promise in the name of the Lord. He said, “I promise Adonijah will pay for asking me this! May God punish me terribly if it doesn’t cost Adonijah his life!