Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Here is the rewritten chapter:

King David was old and frail. To keep him warm, his servants covered him with clothes, but he still couldn't feel any warmth.

His servants said to him, "We need to find a young woman to care for you and stand before the king." So they searched throughout all Israel and brought her to King David. She was very beautiful and took great care of the king, though he didn't have intimate knowledge of her.

Meanwhile, Adonijah, son of Haggith, began to plan a takeover, saying, "I will be king!" He prepared chariots, horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. His father had never rebuked him for doing whatever he wanted. Adonijah was also very handsome, and his mother had borne him after Absalom.

He joined forces with Joab, son of Zeruiah, and Abiathar the priest, who were supporting Adonijah. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David did not support Adonijah.

Adonijah slaughtered sheep and oxen and fat cattle at En-Rogel near the stone of Zoheleth. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, or Solomon his brother.

Nathan spoke to Bathsheba, saying, "Don't you know that Adonijah is now reigning, and our lord David is unaware of it?" He advised her, "Go and tell King David what's happening. Remind him of his promise to you: 'Solomon your son will succeed me on the throne. Why then is Adonijah reigning?'" Nathan also told her, "I'll come in after you and confirm your words."

Bathsheba entered the king's chamber, where he was old and frail, being cared for by Abishag the Shunammite. She bowed down to him and asked, "What do I have to tell you?" He replied, "Tell me what's on your mind."

She said, "My lord, remember that you swore by the Lord God of Israel: 'Solomon your son will reign after me, and he'll sit on my throne.'" She pointed out that Adonijah was now reigning, unaware of it, and had invited all his brothers, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but not Solomon.

Bathsheba told him, "Everyone in Israel is looking to you, my lord king. If I and my son Solomon don't succeed you, we'll be considered guilty offenders." While she was speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet entered.

Nathan greeted King David by bowing before him with his face to the ground. He asked, "My lord king, did you really say that Adonijah would reign after me and sit on my throne?" Nathan explained that Adonijah had gone down today, slaughtering animals in abundance, inviting all the king's sons, captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest to celebrate his kingship.

Nathan added, "But you, your servant Solomon, have not been invited." King David responded by asking Bathsheba to bring Nathan, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and Solomon into his presence.

The king swore an oath before God, saying, "As I live, who has redeemed my soul from all distress, I swear to you that Solomon your son will reign after me and sit on my throne in my place." King David reminded Bathsheba of the promise he had made to her: "Solomon your son will certainly reign after me and sit on my throne in my place."

Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground, showing deep respect to the king. He ordered Nathan, Zadok, Benaiah, and other servants to bring Solomon to Gihon. There, they were to anoint him as the new king over Israel; then they would blow a trumpet to announce it.

Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and others brought Solomon on King David's mule to Gihon. Zadok took oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon king. The people blew their trumpets, shouting "God save King Solomon!"

As Adonijah and his guests finished eating, they heard the commotion outside. Joab asked, "Why is the city in such an uproar?" Just then, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived.

Adonijah said to him, "Come in, you brave man; I hope you bring good news." But Jonathan told Adonijah that King David had made Solomon king. He added that Zadok and Nathan had anointed Solomon at Gihon and were now returning with great joy.

Solomon was sitting on the throne of the kingdom. The king's servants came to bless King David, saying, "May God make Solomon's name greater than yours, and his throne more exalted than yours." King David bowed down on his bed, praising God: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne today. I have seen it with my own eyes."

When Adonijah heard this news, he feared Solomon and climbed onto the altar horns in the temple, saying, "Let King Solomon swear to me that he won't kill his servant with a sword."

Solomon replied, "If you show yourself worthy, not one hair of yours will fall. But if you're guilty of wickedness, you'll die." Then Solomon ordered them to bring Adonijah down from the altar.

Adonijah came before King Solomon and bowed down. The king told him, "Go back to your house."