1 Now King David was ^aold, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm.  ‡

2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her¹ stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.”  ‡

4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.

5 Then ^aAdonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will² be king”; and ^bhe prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.  ‡