8. But the priest Zadok and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, didn't join Adonijah. The prophet Nathan didn't join him. Shimei and Rei didn't join him. And neither did David's special guard.
9. Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle and fat calves. He sacrificed them at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all of his brothers, the king's sons, and all of the men of Judah who were royal officials.
10. But he didn't invite Benaiah or the prophet Nathan. He didn't invite the special guard or his brother Solomon either.
11. Nathan spoke to Solomon's mother Bathsheba. He asked, "Haven't you heard? Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has made himself king. And King David doesn't even know about it.
12. "So let me tell you what to do to save your life. It will also save the life of your son Solomon.
13. Go in and see King David. Say to him, 'You are my king and master. You took an oath. You promised me, "You can be sure that your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne." If that's really true, why has Adonijah become king?'
14. "While you are still talking to the king, I'll come in. I'll tell him that what you have said is true."
15. So Bathsheba went to see the old king in his room. Abishag, the Shunammite, was taking care of him there.
16. Bathsheba bowed low. She got down on her knees in front of the king. "What do you want?" the king asked.
17. She said to him, "My master, you took an oath in the name of the Lord your God. You promised me, 'Your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne.'
18. "But now Adonijah has made himself king. And you don't even know about it.
19. He has sacrificed large numbers of cattle, fat calves and sheep. He has invited all of the king's sons. He has also invited the priest Abiathar and Joab, the commander of the army. But he hasn't invited your son Solomon.
20. "You are my king and master. All of the people of Israel are watching to see what you will do. They want to find out from you who will sit on the throne after you.
21. If you don't do something, I and my son Solomon will be treated like people who have committed crimes. That will happen as soon as you join the members of your family who have already died."
22. While she was still speaking with the king, the prophet Nathan arrived.
23. The king was told, "The prophet Nathan is here." So Nathan went to the king. He bowed down with his face toward the ground.