1 Kings 2:17

1 Kings 2:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.
• New International Version (NIV)So he continued, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he said, "Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.”

Context of 1 Kings 2:17

15He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine and all Israel considered me king. But then the kingdom was given to my brother, for the Lord decided it should be his. 16Now I’d like to ask you for just one thing. Please don’t refuse me.” She said, “Go ahead and ask.” He said, “Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.” 18Bathsheba replied, “That’s fine, I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.” 19So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand.

1 Kings 2:17 word by word

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אִמְרִי־נָא֙ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּ֥י לֹֽא־יָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־פָּנָ֑יִךְ וְיִתֶּן־לִ֛י אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֥ג הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֖ית לְאִשָּֽׁה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• I pray thee, unto Solomonשְׁלֹמֹהshelômôh · SolomonH8010
• the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• for he will not sayשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• theeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• that he giveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• me Abishagאֲבִישַׁג'ăbîyshag · AbishagH49
• the Shunammiteשׁוּנַמִּיתshûnammîyth · ShunammiteH7767
• to wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802

Cross-references for 1 Kings 2:17

• 1 Kings 1:2His servants advised him, “A young virgin must be found for our master, the king, to take care of the king’s needs and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with you and keep our master, the king, warm.”
• 2 Samuel 3:7Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you have sexual relations with my father’s concubine?”
• 2 Samuel 12:8I gave you your master’s house, and put your master’s wives into your arms. I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all that somehow seems insignificant, I would have given you so much more as well!

Commentaries on 1 Kings 2:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17That he give me Abishag - to wife - He cheerfully gives up all right to the kingdom, and only desires to have this young woman, who, though she had been his father's wife or concubine, was still in a state of virginity. Some think that Joab and Abiathar had advised Adonijah to make this application, not doubting, if he got Abishag, that the popular tide would again turn in his favor, and that Solomon, whom they did not like, might soon be deposed; and…Read the comment
• 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. 16-18Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife: Having the king’s concubine showed royal authority. When David became king, he received Saul’s wives (2 Samuel 12:7–8). The rebellious Absalom took David’s concubines (2 Samuel 16:20–22).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1813-18. Adonijah ... came to Bath-sheba--Her question to him betrays an apprehension which his recent conduct might well warrant; but his pious acknowledgment of the divine will seemed apparently to indicate so entire an acquiescence in the settlement of the succession [1Ki 2:15], that, in her womanly simplicity, she perceived not the deep cunning and evil design that was concealed under his request and readily undertook to promote his wishes.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Kings 2:17

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

In the dictionaries

• Solomon
• Abishag
• Adonijah
• Curse
• Fail
• Gone
• Return
• 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