New King James Version

1 Kings 2:10-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

10. So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David.

11. The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.

12. Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.

13. Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?”And he said, “Peaceably.”

14. Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.”And she said, “Say it.”

15. Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord.

16. Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me.”And she said to him, “Say it.”

17. Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.”

18. So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.”

19. Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand.

20. Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.”And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”

21. So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.”

22. And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”

23. Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life!