1 Kings 1:11-31 - Solomon's Intercessors
11 Whereupon Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, "Hast thou not heard how that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, unwitting unto our master David? 12 Now therefore come, that I may give thee counsel how to save thine own life and the life of thy son Solomon. 13 Go and get thee unto king David, and say unto him, 'Didst thou not, my lord king, sware unto thy handmaid saying: Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my seat? Why, then, is Adonijah made king?' 14 And see, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I will come in after thee and will end thy words."
15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber. And the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto him. 16 And Bathsheba stooped and made obeisance unto the king. And the king said, "What is thy matter?"
17 And she answered and said, "My lord, thou hast sworn by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, 'Solomon thy son shall reign after me and he shall sit upon my seat.' 18 But now see, Adonijah is king and thou my lord king knowest it not. 19 And he hath offered oxen, fatlings and sheep abundantly, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the Host. But Solomon thy servant hath he not bidden. 20 And now, my lord king, the eyes of all Israel wait on thee, to tell them who shall sit on the seat of my lord the king after him. 21 For else when my lord the king is laid to rest with his fathers, I and my son Solomon shall be sinners."
22 And behold, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet was come. 23 And they told the king, saying, "Here cometh Nathan the prophet." And when he was come before the king, he made obeisance unto the king upon his face unto the ground,
24 and said, "My lord king, hast thou said, 'Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my seat?' 25 For he is gone down this day and hath offered oxen, fatlings and sheep abundantly, and hath called all the king's sons and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest. And see, they eat and drink before him and say, 'God save king Adonijah.' 26 But me, thy servant, and Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon he hath not called. 27 Is this thing done of my lord the king and yet wouldest not show me thy servant, who should sit on the seat of my lord the king after him?"
28 Then king David answered, and said, "Call me Bathsheba." And she came in and stood before him. 29 And the king sware, saying, "As sure as the LORD, that hath rid my soul out of all adversity, liveth: 30 even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying 'Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my seat for me,' so will I do this day."
31 And Bathsheba bowed on her face to the earth and did obeisance unto the king, and said, "I pray God my lord king David may live ever."