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15. Bath-sheba went in. The mother of Solomon had the freedom of the palace and quickly made her way into the king’s presence, ill as he was. As she bowed low with the humble prostration of a suppliant, David recognized immediately that something of unusual import had prompted the call and he asked for details. The fact that David knew nothing of what was going on, that he had not been consulted by Adonijah concerning his proposed plans, and that Nathan was first informed of them at the moment of their execution, shows how secretly the affair had been managed. The intrigue revealed that Adonijah was not moved by a clear conscience. Bath-sheba began by reminding her husband of his promise to her that her son Solomon would succeed to the throne, and then abruptly informed him that in spite of this promise Adonijah was already king. Adonijah had presumed to take the kingdom while David himself was still on the throne. In such a situation the eyes of all Israel were on David to see what his move would be. Bath-sheba reminded him of his responsibility to the nation at this hour of crisis, and of the fact that if he did not act he would bear the blame for whatever fate would befall her and her son.