Adonijah vs

Adonijah's failed attempt to become king and David's choice of Solomon as his successor

• King David was old and could not keep warm, so his attendants found a young virgin, Abishag, to take care of him.
• Adonijah, David's son, declared himself king and prepared chariots and horses with fifty men to run ahead of him.
• Adonijah gained support from Joab and Abiathar, but Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and David's special guard did not support him.
• Adonijah sacrificed animals at the Stone of Zoheleth and invited all his brothers and royal officials, except for Nathan, Benaiah, the special guard, and his brother Solomon.
• Nathan informed Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, of Adonijah's actions and suggested that she go to King David and remind him of his promise to make Solomon king.
• Bathsheba spoke to King David and reminded him of his promise to make Solomon king, and Nathan confirmed her words.
• King David swore to Bathsheba that Solomon would be king after him and instructed Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah to anoint Solomon as king.
• Solomon was mounted on David's own mule and taken to Gihon, where Zadok and Nathan anointed him as king over Israel.
• The trumpet was blown and people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
• Solomon was to come and sit on David's throne and reign in his place, appointed ruler over Israel and Judah.
• Adonijah's attempt to become king failed, and he and his supporters were afraid for their lives.
• David's choice of Solomon as his successor ensured the continuation of the Davidic dynasty and the fulfillment of God's promise to David.