9. But now don’t treat him as if he were innocent. You are a wise man and you know how to handle him; make sure he has a bloody death.”
10. Then David passed away and was buried in the city of David.
11. David reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years, and in Jerusalem thirty-three years.
12. Solomon sat on his father David’s throne, and his royal authority was firmly solidified.
13. Haggith’s son Adonijah visited Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked, “Do you come in peace?” He answered, “Yes.”
14. He added, “I have something to say to you.” She replied, “Speak.”
15. He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine and all Israel considered me king. But then the kingdom was given to my brother, for the Lord decided it should be his.
16. Now I’d like to ask you for just one thing. Please don’t refuse me.” She said, “Go ahead and ask.”
17. He said, “Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.”
18. Bathsheba replied, “That’s fine, I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.”
19. So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand.
20. She said, “I would like to ask you for just one small favor. Please don’t refuse me.” He said, “Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.”
21. She said, “Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.”
22. King Solomon answered his mother, “Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”