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Bathsheba, went to the king, and told him, asking if her son Solomon was not the rightful king after David. David was grieved at what Adonijah had done; but he comforted Bathsheba, and said, "Solomon shall be king." So David called Zadok, the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and commanded them to take Solomon and make him king. Then they put Solomon upon a mule, and brought him to Gihon; and there Zadok annointed him; and all the people blew with trumpets, and shouted God save King Solomon."

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Adonijah at this

time was feasting with his friends, Joab and Abiathar, who had forsaken David and had followed the rebellious Adonijah. Adonijah and his company heard a great shout, and wondered what it could be; and soon they were told. The people are shouting and rejoicing because David has made Solomon

king," the servant said. Then the conspirators ran away, and Adonijah himself escaped to the altar for safety. Solomon though he was now king, did not punish the wicked conspirators. He called Adonijah to him, forgave him, and sent him home.

In peace.

All was quiet again, and Solomon reigned And now the time came for David to die. He called his dear son Solomon to him for his last commands, and to bid him farewell. David spoke very affectionately and very solemnly to Solomon, and said, "My son, know thou the God of thy fathers, my God who has kept me all my life long. Serve Him with all thy heart, sincerely and willingly; for God knows the heart.". Then David looked up to Heaven, sang a beautiful song of praise to God, and died; and the people of the city mourned for him.

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And now Solomon was king; and a good, wise king he was to be. And because he was wise and good, his reign was a happy one both for himself and for his people.

But first there were many enemies and conspirators who must be sent away for the safety of the kingdom; but after that, when all was quiet, then Solomon hoped to reign in peace.

Solomon went first to Gibeon to sacrifice at the tabernacle there, which was the same

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tabernacle that Moses had made.

And when

he had come into Gibeon, he offered a thousand burnt offerings; for Solomon had great wealth, and he longed to use it to the glory of the God of Israel.

And at night, when Solomon slept, there came to him a vision.

And in the vision God

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spoke and said, “Ask thee;" for God knew that Solomon was good and true at heart.

Now Solomon was a young man; and he knew what wealth and power could do for him among his people. But he cared little for these; and when he heard the voice, he said, “O Lord, I am young and I know so little of those things I should know to guide my people aright. Give me, therefore, above all, wisdom and knowledge; a wise and understanding heart, that I may know how to rule over my

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