1 Kings 2:21

1 Kings 2:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.
• New International Version (NIV)So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife."
• New King James Version (NKJV)So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.”

Context of 1 Kings 2:21

19So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand. 20“I have just one small request of you,” she said. “Do not deny me.” “Make your request, my mother,” the king replied, “for I will not deny you.” So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.” 22King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!” 23Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.

1 Kings 2:21 word by word

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר יֻתַּ֖ן אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֣ג הַשֻּׁנַמִּ֑ית לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֥הוּ אָחִ֖יךָ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃Read the interlinear

• So Bathsheba saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Let Abishagאֲבִישַׁג'ăbîyshag · AbishagH49
• the Shunammiteשׁוּנַמִּיתshûnammîyth · ShunammiteH7767
• be givenנָתַןnâthan · to give: give(marriage)H5414
• ·אֵת'êth · [Obj.]H853
• to your brotherאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251
• Adonijahאֲדֹנִיָּ֫הוּ'ădônîyâh 'ădônîyâhû · AdonijahH138
• as his wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802

Cross-references for 1 Kings 2:21

• 2 Samuel 16:21Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

Commentaries on 1 Kings 2:21

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-25Verses 12-25 Solomon received Bathsheba with all the respect that was owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they ought not to grant. It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to appear in a bad cause. According to eastern customs it was plain that Adonijah sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as his wife, and Solomon could not be safe while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly prepare death for themselves…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-21Solomon realized Adonijah's true intentions with his small request. Adonijah wanted to marry Abishag to strengthen his claim to the throne, regardless of her status in David's harem.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Kings 2:21

• Abishag
• Adonijah
• Bath-Sheba (Bathsheba)
• Intercession
• Shunammite

In the dictionaries

• Adonijah
• Abishag
• Curse
• Fail
• Gone
• Return
• Solomon
• Heir
• Israel, History of
• Kings, Books of

Commentaries on 1 Kings 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings