go at once to King David and ask him, 'Your Majesty, didn't you solemnly promise me that my son Solomon would succeed you as king? How is it, then, that Adonijah has become king?' "

She answered, "Your Majesty, you made me a solemn promise in the name of the LORD your God that my son Solomon would be king after you.

Solomon succeeded his father David as king, and his royal power was firmly established.

He answered, "You know that I should have become king and that everyone in Israel expected it. But it happened differently, and my brother became king because it was the LORD's will.

When David was very old, he made his son Solomon king of Israel.

The LORD, the God of Israel, chose me and my descendants to rule Israel forever. He chose the tribe of Judah to provide leadership, and out of Judah he chose my father's family. From all that family it was his pleasure to take me and make me king over all Israel.

He gave me many sons, and out of them all he chose Solomon to rule over Israel, the LORD's kingdom.

"On Zion, my sacred hill," he says, "I have installed my king."

Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice,

Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice,

so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness.