The Death of David and the Accession of Solomon

David reached seventy and "could not get warm." At that moment his son Adonijah — handsome, and never once asked by his father "why are you doing this?" — acquired chariots and runners, won over Joab and Abiathar, and held a feast at the stone of Zoheleth beside the spring of En-rogel at which he was proclaimed king. Nathan, Zadok and Solomon were not invited, which gave the plot away.

Nathan moved fast. He sent Bathsheba to remind the king of his oath that Solomon would reign, then followed her in, feigning surprise. Weak as he was, David gave precise orders: put Solomon on the royal mule, bring him to Gihon, anoint him with the horn of oil, sound the shofar and cry "Long live King Solomon!" The crowd came up after them with such joy that "the earth split with their noise." At Adonijah's feast the sound was heard, and the guests scattered.

Before dying, David charged his son: "I go the way of all the earth; be strong and be a man, keep the charge of the Lord your God" — followed by very worldly instructions concerning Joab and Shimei.

David died after forty years and was buried in the City of David. In his lifetime Israel became a state — capital, borders, army, a service prepared for a Temple — and gained the book of Psalms.