1:13 Why then is Adonijah king. Nathan’s advice plays on the ambiguity and instability inherent during a coup attempt. Actually David is still king, but Nathan’s words underscore the fact that Adonijah has also publicly claimed this status (vv. 5, 9). By having both Bathsheba and himself speak with David, Nathan underscores the gravity of the situation to the “very old” king (v. 15).