<p class="bodytext">When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, &#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you go with me, Mephibosheth?&#8221;

But my servant<n id="1" /> has slandered me<n id="2" /> to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of God. Do whatever seems appropriate to you.

Mephibosheth said to the king, &#8220;Let him have<n id="1" /> the whole thing! My lord the king has returned safely<n id="2" /> to his house!&#8221;p>

<p class="bodytext">Barzillai replied to the king, &#8220;How many days do I have left to my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

I will cross the Jordan with the king and go a short distance.<n id="1" /> Why should the king reward me in this way?

When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham<n id="1" /> crossed over with him. Now all the soldiers<n id="2" /> of Judah along with half of the soldiers of Israel had helped the king cross over.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">So Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters.<n id="1" /> (The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)

Now,<n id="1" /> my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne.<n id="2" />

<p class="bodytext">King David said, &#8220;Summon Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet,<n id="1" /> and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.&#8221; They came before the king,

Benaiah son of Jehoiada responded<n id="1" /> to the king: &#8220;So be it!<n id="2" /> May the <sc>Lordsc> God of my master the king confirm it!<n id="3" />

As the <sc>Lordsc> is with my master the king, so may he be with Solomon, and may he make him an even greater king than my master King David!&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

The king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada to take his place at the head of<n id="1" /> the army, and the king appointed Zadok the priest to take Abiathar&#8217;s place.<n id="2" />p>

King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned them to the officers of the royal guard<n id="1" /> who protected the entrance to the royal palace.

You must surround the king. Each of you must hold his weapon in his hand. Whoever approaches your ranks must be killed. You must accompany the king wherever he goes.&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

Jehoiada<n id="1" /> led out the king&#8217;s son and placed on him the crown and the royal insignia.<n id="2" /> They proclaimed him king and poured olive oil on his head.<n id="3" /> They clapped their hands and cried out, &#8220;Long live the king!&#8221;p>

<p class="bodytext">Jehoiada then drew up a covenant between the <sc>Lordsc> and the king and people, stipulating that they should be loyal to the <sc>Lordsc>.<n id="1" />

All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David&#8217;s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.<n id="1" />

King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned them to the officers of the royal guard<n id="1" /> who protected the entrance to the royal palace.

The Levites must surround the king. Each of you must hold his weapon in his hand. Whoever tries to enter the temple<n id="1" /> must be killed. You must accompany the king wherever he goes.&#8221;<n id="2" />p>

Jehoiada and his sons led out the king&#8217;s son and placed on him the crown and the royal insignia.<n id="1" /> They proclaimed him king and poured olive oil on his head.<n id="2" /> They declared, &#8220;Long live the king!&#8221;p>