ation; but the place and state of the dead.

2:7. But shew kindness to the sons of Berzellai, the Galaadite, and let
them eat at thy table: for they met me when I fled from the face of
Absalom, thy brother.

2:8. Thou hast also with thee Semei, the son of Gera, the son of Jemini,
of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse, when I went to the
camp: but because he came down to meet me when I passed over the Jordan,
and I swore to him by the Lord, saying: I will not kill thee with the
sword:

2:9. Do not thou hold him guiltless. But thou art a wise man, and
knowest what to do with him, and thou shalt bring down his grey hairs
with blood to the grave.

2:10. So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of
David.

2:11. And the days that David reigned in Israel, were forty years: in
Hebron he reigned seven years, in Jerusalem thirty-three.

2:12. And Solomon sat upon the throne of his father David, and his
kingdom was strengthened exceedingly.

2:13. And Adonias, the son of Haggith, came to Bethsabee the mother of
Solomon. And she said to him: Is thy coming peaceable? He answered: It
is peaceable.

2:14. And he added: I have a word to speak with thee. She said to him:
Speak. And he said:

2:15. Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had
preferred me to be their king: but the kingdom is transferred, and is
become my brother's: for it was appointed him by the Lord.

2:16. Now therefore, I ask one petition of thee; turn not away my face.
And she said to him: Say on.

2:17. And he said I pray thee speak to king Solomon (for he cannot deny
thee any thing) to give me Abisag, the Sunamitess, to wife.

2:18. And Bethsabee said: Well, I will speak for thee to the king.

2:19. Then Bethsabee came to king Solomon, to speak to him for Adonias:
and the king arose to meet her, and bowed to her, and sat down upon his
throne: and a throne was set for the king's mother, and she sat on his
right hand.

2:20. And she said to him: I desire one small petition of thee; do not
put me to confusion. And the king said to her: My mother ask, for I must
not turn away thy face.

2:21. And she said: Let Abisag, the Sunamitess, be given to Adonias, thy
brother, to wife.

2:22. And king Solomon answered, and said to his mother: Why dost thou
ask Abisag, the Sunamitess, for Adonias? ask for him also the kingdom;
for he is my elder brother, and hath Abiathar, the priest, and Joab, the
son of Sarvia.