19. He has sacrificed many cattle, steers, and sheep and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the commander of the army, but he has not invited your servant Solomon.
20. Now, my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne.
21. If a decision is not made, when my master the king is buried with his ancestors, my son Solomon and I will be considered state criminals.”
22. Just then, while she was still speaking to the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
23. The king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” Nathan entered and bowed before the king with his face to the floor.
24. Nathan said, “My master, O king, did you announce, ‘Adonijah will be king after me; he will sit on my throne’?
25. For today he has gone down and sacrificed many cattle, steers, and sheep and has invited all the king’s sons, the army commanders, and Abiathar the priest. At this moment they are having a feast in his presence, and they have declared, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
26. But he did not invite me – your servant – or Zadok the priest, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon.
27. Has my master the king authorized this without informing your servants who should succeed my master the king on his throne?”
28. King David responded, “Summon Bathsheba!” She came and stood before the king.
29. The king swore an oath: “As certainly as the Lord lives (he who has rescued me from every danger),
30. I will keep today the oath I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel: ‘Surely Solomon your son will be king after me; he will sit in my place on my throne.’”
31. Bathsheba bowed down to the king with her face to the floor and said, “May my master, King David, live forever!”
32. King David said, “Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” They came before the king,
33. and he told them, “Take your master’s servants with you, put my son Solomon on my mule, and lead him down to Gihon.