Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So he continued, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” New Living Translation He replied, “Speak to King Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request. Ask him to let me marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem.” English Standard Version And he said, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” Berean Standard Bible Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “Speak, please, to Solomon the King, for he will not refuse you, that he may give to me Abishag the Shunammitess for a wife.” King James Bible 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 King James Version Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” New American Standard Bible Then he said, “Please speak to Solomon the king—for he will not refuse you—that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.” NASB 1995 Then he said, “Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.” NASB 1977 Then he said, “Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.” Legacy Standard Bible Then he said, “Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not turn you away, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.” Amplified Bible He said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you; ask that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.” Berean Annotated Bible Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon (peace), since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag (my father is a wanderer) the Shunammite as my wife. Christian Standard Bible He replied, “Please speak to King Solomon since he won’t turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.” Holman Christian Standard Bible He replied, “Please speak to King Solomon since he won’t turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife."” American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version "Please ask Solomon to let me marry Abishag. He won't say no to you." English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation He said, "Please ask King Solomon to give me Abishag from Shunem as my wife. He will not refuse you." Good News Translation He answered, "Please ask King Solomon--I know he won't refuse you--to let me have Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, as my wife." International Standard Version Then he asked her, "Please talk to King Solomon for me, since he won't refuse you. Ask him to give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife." NET Bible He said, "Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won't refuse you." New Heart English Bible He said, "Please speak to Solomon the king (for he will not tell you 'no'), that he give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife." Webster's Bible Translation And he said, Speak, I pray thee, to Solomon the king, (for he will not say to thee no,) that he give me Abishag the Shunamite for a wife. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAdonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” World English Bible He said, “Please speak to Solomon the king (for he will not tell you ‘no’), that he give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “Please speak to Solomon the king, for he does not turn back your face, and he gives Abishag the Shunammite to me for a wife.” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “Speak, please, to Solomon the King, for he will not refuse you, that he may give to me Abishag the Shunammitess for a wife.” Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'Speak, I pray thee, to Solomon the king, for he doth not turn back thy face, and he doth give to me Abishag the Shunammite for a wife.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, Speak now to Solomon the king, for he will not turn away thy face, and he will give to me Abishag the Shunamite for wife. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: I pray thee speak to king Solomon (for he cannot deny thee any thing) to give me Abisag the Sunamitess to wife. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said: “I beg that you may speak to king Solomon, for he is not able to refuse anything to you, so that he may give Abishag the Shunammite to me as wife.” New American Bible He said, “Please ask King Solomon, who will not refuse you, to give me Abishag the Shunamite to be my wife.” New Revised Standard Version He said, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to her, Speak to King Solomon (for he will not refuse you) that he give me Abishag the Shilommite to wife. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He said to her: “Speak to King Solomon, for he will not turn away your presence, and he will give to me Abishag the Shilumite as a wife.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said to her, Speak, I pray thee, to king Solomon, for he will not turn away his face from thee, and let him give me Abisag the Somanite for a wife. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Execution of Adonijah…16So now I have just one request of you; do not deny me.” “State your request,” she told him. 17Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” 18“Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”… Cross References Adonijah replied, 1 Kings 1:5-6 At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) 1 Kings 1:50-53 But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” … 2 Samuel 15:4-6 And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.” / Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him. / Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. “Please speak to King Solomon, 2 Samuel 14:4-8 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!” / “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. / And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. … 1 Kings 1:16-17 And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” / “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ Esther 4:8 Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people. since he will not turn you down. 1 Kings 10:13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants. 2 Chronicles 9:12 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—far more than she had brought the king. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants. Esther 5:6-8 And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.” / Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request: / If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” 1 Kings 1:3-4 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. / The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her. 2 Samuel 16:21-22 Ahithophel 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.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 2 Samuel 12:8 I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. 1 Kings 1:11-14 Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ … 1 Kings 1:28-31 Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him. / And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, / I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.” … 2 Samuel 3:27-30 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. / Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. / May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.” … 2 Samuel 12:24-25 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child / and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him. Treasury of Scripture And he said, Speak, I pray you, to Solomon the king, (for he will not say you no,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife. Abishag 1 Kings 1:2-4 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat… 2 Samuel 3:7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine? 2 Samuel 12:8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Jump to Previous Abishag Ab'ishag Continued Face Please Refuse Request Shunamite Shunammite Shu'nammite Solomon Speak Turn WifeJump to Next Abishag Ab'ishag Continued Face Please Refuse Request Shunamite Shunammite Shu'nammite Solomon Speak Turn Wife1 Kings 2 1. David, having given a charge to Solomon3. of Reverence 5. of Joab 7. of Barzillai 8. of Shimei 10. Solomon succeeds 12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag, 13. is put to death 26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood 28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain 35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's 36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death. Adonijah replied Adonijah, the son of King David and Haggith, had previously attempted to claim the throne of Israel before Solomon was anointed king. His reply here is part of a strategic move following his failed bid for kingship. In the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, the request he is about to make carries significant political implications. Please speak to King Solomon since he will not turn you down Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife Persons / Places / Events 1. AdonijahThe son of King David who previously attempted to claim the throne before Solomon was anointed king. His request for Abishag is seen as a political maneuver. 2. Bathsheba The mother of Solomon, approached by Adonijah to intercede on his behalf with King Solomon. 3. King Solomon The son of David and Bathsheba, who was established as king over Israel. Known for his wisdom, Solomon's response to Adonijah's request is pivotal. 4. Abishag the Shunammite A young woman who served King David in his old age. Her association with David makes her a significant figure in the royal court. 5. The Royal Court of Israel The setting for this political intrigue, highlighting the complexities of succession and power dynamics in ancient Israel. Teaching Points Understanding MotivesAdonijah's request for Abishag was not merely personal but had political implications. In our lives, we should discern the motives behind our requests and actions, ensuring they align with God's will. The Role of Intercession Bathsheba's role as an intercessor highlights the importance of seeking wise counsel and mediation in resolving conflicts. We are called to be intercessors in prayer for others. Wisdom in Leadership Solomon's response to Adonijah's request demonstrates the need for wisdom and discernment in leadership. As Christians, we are called to seek God's wisdom in our decisions. Guarding Against Manipulation The account warns against the subtlety of manipulation and the importance of being vigilant against those who may seek to exploit situations for personal gain. The Significance of Relationships The relationships between the characters in this passage remind us of the importance of maintaining integrity and trust in our relationships, especially within families and communities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 2:17?2. What does Adonijah's request reveal about his understanding of Solomon's authority? 3. How does 1 Kings 2:17 connect with the commandment to honor authority? 4. Why is Bathsheba's role significant in Adonijah's request to Solomon? 5. How can we discern motives when others make requests of us? 6. What lessons on submission to God's chosen leaders can we apply today? 7. Why did Adonijah request Abishag the Shunammite as his wife in 1 Kings 2:17? 8. How does Solomon's response to Adonijah's request reflect his wisdom and authority? 9. What cultural significance did marrying a king's concubine hold in ancient Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 2? 11. Why did Solomon execute Adonijah for requesting Abishag? 12. Who was Abishag in the Bible? 13. In 1 Kings 2:1-9, why does David instruct Solomon to exact vengeance on Joab and Shimei, contradicting previous oaths and seeming to endorse personal revenge? 14. In 2 Chronicles 8:2, Solomon rebuilds cities given by Hiram, yet 1 Kings 9:11-13 implies those cities were unacceptable to him; how can both accounts be accurate? What Does 1 Kings 2:17 Mean Adonijah repliedAdonijah has already attempted to seize the throne (1 Kings 1:5-10) and has been spared by Solomon on the condition that he prove “a worthy man” (1 Kings 1:52). • His immediate approach to Bathsheba (1 Kings 2:13) shows he still schemes, even after promising loyalty. • Like Absalom before him, he masks ambition beneath polite words (2 Samuel 15:1-6). • The narrative reminds us that the human heart, apart from God’s transforming grace, clings to self-exaltation (Jeremiah 17:9). Please speak to King Solomon Bathsheba, as queen mother, enjoys unique access to the throne (1 Kings 2:19). • Adonijah leverages that influence, hoping her intercession will shield his true motive. • Similar royal protocols appear when Esther approaches King Xerxes (Esther 5:1-2), illustrating a common Near Eastern custom: a trusted woman gains audience where others might fail. since he will not turn you down Adonijah counts on Solomon’s filial honor toward Bathsheba (Exodus 20:12) and assumes maternal pleas are irresistible. • He misreads Solomon’s discernment (1 Kings 3:9-12) and underestimates the king’s awareness of political threats. • Pretending innocence, he couches his bid as a simple favor, echoing how Satan presents temptation as harmless (Genesis 3:4-5). Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife Abishag was David’s final attendant and, by custom, part of the royal household (1 Kings 1:3-4). • Possessing the late king’s concubine signified a claim to the throne (2 Samuel 16:21-22). • Adonijah’s request therefore hints at a renewed bid for legitimacy. • Solomon later exposes this motive: “Ask for him the kingdom as well” (1 Kings 2:22). • Scripture repeatedly warns that ungodly ambition uses subtle maneuvers (James 3:14-16). summary Verse 17 records more than a harmless marriage proposal; it reveals a calculated move by a previously rebellious son. By channeling his petition through Bathsheba and seeking a woman whose status symbolized royal authority, Adonijah masks a fresh grasp at power. Solomon will recognize the hidden agenda and act decisively, protecting the God-ordained succession. 1 Kings 2:17 thus serves as a sober lesson on the persistence of prideful ambition and the need for godly discernment in leadership. Verse 17. - And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the ring; for he will not say thee nay, [will not repulse thee. Same words as ver. 16. There is a spice of flattery in these words. He now exaggerates her influence with the king] that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife. [We are hardly justified in concluding, as some commentators have done, that love had nothing to do with this request. It is not improbable, on the contrary, that a passion for the beautiful Shunamnite, perhaps the fairest woman of her time, may have first given a powerful impulse to Adonijah's ambition (see on 1 Kings 1:5). At the same time, he must have had ulterior motives (see on ver. 22).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew [Adonijah] replied,וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Please נָא֙ (nā) Interjection Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then' speak אִמְרִי־ (’im·rî-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to King הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Solomon, לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה (liš·lō·mōh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne since כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction he will not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no turn you down. יָשִׁ֖יב (yā·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again Let him give וְיִתֶּן־ (wə·yit·ten-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set me לִ֛י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew Abishag אֲבִישַׁ֥ג (’ă·ḇî·šaḡ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 49: Abishag -- 'my father is a wanderer', an Israelite woman the Shunammite הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֖ית (haš·šū·nam·mîṯ) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7767: Shunammite -- a Shunammitess as my wife.” לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ (lə·’iš·šāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female Links 1 Kings 2:17 NIV1 Kings 2:17 NLT 1 Kings 2:17 ESV 1 Kings 2:17 NASB 1 Kings 2:17 KJV 1 Kings 2:17 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 2:17 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 2:17 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 2:17 French Bible 1 Kings 2:17 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 2:17 He said Please speak to Solomon (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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