1 Kings 1:21-31

21 If you fail to act, the moment you're buried my son Solomon and I are as good as dead."
22 Abruptly, while she was telling the king all this, Nathan the prophet came in
23 and was announced: "Nathan the prophet is here." He came before the king, honoring him by bowing deeply, his face touching the ground.
24 "My master the king," Nathan began, "did you say, 'Adonijah shall be king after me and sit on my throne'?
25 Because that's what's happening. He's thrown a huge coronation feast - cattle, grain-fed heifers, sheep - inviting all the king's sons, the army officers, and Abiathar the priest. They're having a grand time, eating and drinking and shouting, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
26 But I wasn't invited, nor was the priest Zadok, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.
27 Is this something that my master the king has done behind our backs, not telling your servants who you intended to be king after you?"
28 King David took action: "Get Bathsheba back in here." She entered and stood before the king.
29 The king solemnly promised, "As God lives, the God who delivered me from every kind of trouble,
30 I'll do exactly what I promised in God's name, the God of Israel: Your son Solomon will be king after me and take my place on the throne. And I'll make sure it happens this very day."
31 Bathsheba bowed low, her face to the ground. Kneeling in reverence before the king she said, "Oh, may my master, King David, live forever!"
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.