⁵ Meanwhile, about this time Haggith’s son Adonijah began to seek a reputation for himself and decided,^[a] “I’m going to be king!” So he prepared chariots, cavalry, and 50 soldiers to serve as a security detail to guard him.^{[b] 6} His father had never challenged him at any time during his life by asking him, “Why are you acting like this?” Adonijah^[c] was very handsome and had been born after Absalom. ⁷ He had the support of Zeruiah’s son Joab and of Abiathar the priest, who followed Adonijah^[d] and assisted him, ⁸ but Zadok the priest, Jehoiada’s son Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal elite forces would have nothing to do with Adonijah.

⁹ Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fatted cattle by the Serpent Stone^[e] near En-rogel,^[f] inviting all of his relatives, the king’s sons, and all of the men of Judah who worked for the king, ¹⁰ but he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, David’s^[g] personal elite forces, or his brother Solomon.