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 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. 20She said, “I would like to ask you for just one small favor. Please don’t refuse me.” He said, “Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.” She said, “Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.” 22King Solomon answered his mother, “Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!” 23King Solomon then swore an oath by the Lord, “May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life!

1 Kings 2:21 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• And she saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Let Abishagאֲבִישַׁג'ăbîyshag · AbishagH49
• the Shunammiteשׁוּנַמִּיתshûnammîyth · ShunammiteH7767
• be givenנָתַןnâthan · to give: give(marriage)H5414
• to Adonijahאֲדֹנִיָּ֫הוּ'ădônîyâh 'ădônîyâhû · AdonijahH138
• thy brotherאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251
• to wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802

Cross-references for 1 Kings 2:21

• 2 Samuel 16:21Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Have sex with your father’s concubines whom he left to care for the palace. All Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. Then your followers will be motivated to support you.”

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