5. “And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood.
6. Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.
7. “Be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead. Make them permanent guests at your table, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
8. “And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the lord that I would not kill him.
9. But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.”
10. Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David.
11. David had reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.
12. Solomon became king and sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.
13. One day Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, came to see Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. “Have you come with peaceful intentions?” she asked him.“Yes,” he said, “I come in peace.
14. In fact, I have a favor to ask of you.”“What is it?” she asked.
15. He replied, “As you know, the kingdom was rightfully mine; all Israel wanted me to be the next king. But the tables were turned, and the kingdom went to my brother instead; for that is the way the lord wanted it.
16. So now I have just one favor to ask of you. Please don’t turn me down.”“What is it?” she asked.
17. He replied, “Speak to King Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request. Ask him to let me marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem.”
18. “All right,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”
19. So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adonijah’s behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand.