6. (Now his father had never corrected him by saying, “Why do you do such things?” He was also very handsome and had been born right after Absalom.)
7. He collaborated with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported him.
8. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s elite warriors did not ally themselves with Adonijah.
9. Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened steers at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, as well as all the men of Judah, the king’s servants.
10. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the elite warriors, or his brother Solomon.
11. Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Has it been reported to you that Haggith’s son Adonijah has become king behind our master David’s back?
12. Now let me give you some advice as to how you can save your life and your son Solomon’s life.
13. Visit King David and say to him, ‘My master, O king, did you not solemnly promise your servant, “Surely your son Solomon will be king after me; he will sit on my throne”? So why has Adonijah become king?’
14. While you are still there speaking to the king, I will arrive and verify your report.”
15. So Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters. (The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)
16. Bathsheba bowed down on the floor before the king. The king said, “What do you want?”
17. She replied to him, “My master, you swore an oath to your servant by the Lord your God, ‘Solomon your son will be king after me and he will sit on my throne.’
18. But now, look, Adonijah has become king! But you, my master the king, are not even aware of it!
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.”