New International VersionSo Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him.
New Living TranslationSo Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)
English Standard VersionSo Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king).
Berean Standard BibleSo Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
King James BibleAnd Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
New King James VersionSo Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)
New American Standard BibleSo Bathsheba entered to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.
NASB 1995So Bathsheba went in to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king.
NASB 1977So Bathsheba went in to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king.
Legacy Standard BibleSo Bathsheba went in to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king.
Amplified BibleSo Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Now the king was very old and weak, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending the king.
Christian Standard BibleSo Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was attending to him.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
American Standard VersionAnd Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering unto the king.
Contemporary English VersionMeanwhile, David was in his bedroom where Abishag was taking care of him because he was so old. Bathsheba went in
English Revised VersionAnd Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBathsheba went to the king in his private room. The king was very old, and Abishag from Shunem was taking care of him.
Good News TranslationSo Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, was taking care of him.
International Standard VersionSo Bathsheba went to the king in his private room. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to him.
NET BibleSo Bathsheba visited the king in his private quarters. (The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)
New Heart English BibleBathsheba went in to the king into the room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Bath-sheba went to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunamite ministered to the king. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
World English BibleBathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Bathsheba comes in to the king, [into] the inner chamber, and the king [is] very aged, and Abishag the Shunammite is serving the king;
Young's Literal Translation And Bath-Sheba cometh in unto the king, to the inner chamber, and the king is very aged, and Abishag the Shunammite is serving the king:
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Bath-sheba will go in to the king to the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunamite serving the king. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSo Bethsabee went in to the king into the chamber: now the king was very old, and Abisag the Sunamitess ministered to him.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd so Bathsheba entered to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag, the Shunammite, was ministering to him.
New American BibleSo Bathsheba visited the king in his room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunamite was caring for the king.
New Revised Standard VersionSo Bathsheba went to the king in his room. The king was very old; Abishag the Shunammite was attending the king. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo Bath-sheba went in to King David into the chamber; and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shilommite ministered to the king.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Bathsheba entered to King David to the bedroom, and the King was very old, and Abishag the Shilumite was serving the King. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber.--Now the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.--
Brenton Septuagint TranslationSo Bersabee went in to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old, and Abisag the Somanite was ministering to the king.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Nathan and Bathsheba Before David… 14Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.” 15So Bathshebawentto seethe kingin his bedroom.Since the kingwas veryold,Abishagthe Shunammitewas servinghim.16And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?”…
Cross References 1 Kings 2:13-25Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. ...
1 Kings 1:11-14Then 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 1:28-31Then 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.” ...
1 Kings 1:5-10At 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.) / So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. ...
1 Kings 1:32-40Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. / “Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. / There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ ...
2 Samuel 7:12-16And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. / I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ...
1 Chronicles 22:9-10But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign. / He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
1 Chronicles 29:22-25That day they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD. Then, for a second time, they designated David’s son Solomon as king, anointing him before the LORD as ruler, and Zadok as the priest. / So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. / All the officials and mighty men, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. ...
2 Samuel 15:1-6Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ...
2 Samuel 12:24-25Then 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.
Matthew 1:6and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,
Luke 1:32-33He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
Matthew 21:9The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
Mark 11:9-10The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
Luke 19:38“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Treasury of Scripture And Bathsheba went in to the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered to the king. very old 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… Jump to Previous AbishagAb'ishagAgedAttendingBathshebaBath-ShebaBathshe'baBedroomChamberInnerKing'sMinisteredMinisteringRoomServingShunamiteShunammiteShu'nammiteWaitingJump to Next AbishagAb'ishagAgedAttendingBathshebaBath-ShebaBathshe'baBedroomChamberInnerKing'sMinisteredMinisteringRoomServingShunamiteShunammiteShu'nammiteWaiting1 Kings 1 1.Abishag cherishes David in his extreme age5.Adonijah, David's darling, usurps the kingdom11.By the council of Nathan15.Bathsheba moves the king22.And Nathan seconds her28.David renews his oath to Bathsheba32.Solomon, by David's appointment,38.being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people triumph41.Jonathan bringing the news, Adonijah's guests fly50.Adonijah, flying to the horns of the altar, is dismissed by SolomonSo Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom.Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, plays a crucial role in the succession narrative of David's kingdom. Her visit to King David in his private quarters signifies the urgency and importance of her mission. The bedroom setting indicates a personal and intimate context, highlighting the gravity of the situation as David's health declines. This moment is pivotal in ensuring Solomon's rightful place as king, fulfilling God's promise to David ( 2 Samuel 7:12-13). Bathsheba's approach to David also reflects the cultural norms of the time, where women, even of high status, needed to navigate the male-dominated court with care and strategy. Since the king was very old,
David's advanced age is emphasized to underscore his frailty and the pressing need for a clear succession plan. His old age is a reminder of the human condition and the inevitable transition of leadership. This context sets the stage for the political maneuvering that follows, as Adonijah, another of David's sons, attempts to claim the throne (1 Kings 1:5). The mention of David's age also serves as a backdrop for the fulfillment of God's covenant with David, as the promise of an everlasting dynasty is about to be realized through Solomon. Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
Abishag's role as a caregiver to King David highlights the customs of the time, where a young woman might be brought in to provide warmth and care for an aging king. Her presence is not only practical but also symbolic, representing the transition from the old to the new. Abishag's Shunammite origin connects her to the region of Shunem, a place known for its beauty and fertility, which may also symbolize the vitality and renewal that Solomon's reign would bring. Her service to David, while not romantic, places her in a unique position within the royal household, later becoming a point of contention in the struggle for the throne (1 Kings 2:13-25). Persons / Places / Events 1. BathshebaThe wife of King David and mother of Solomon. She plays a crucial role in ensuring Solomon's succession to the throne, demonstrating her influence and wisdom. 2. King DavidThe aging king of Israel, who is in a weakened state. His decision-making at this time is pivotal for the future of the kingdom. 3. Abishag the ShunammiteA young woman attending to King David. Her presence highlights David's frailty and the need for a successor. 4. The Bedroom of King DavidA private and intimate setting, symbolizing the transition of power and the personal nature of the political intrigue surrounding the succession. Teaching Points The Role of Women in God's PlanBathsheba's involvement in securing Solomon's throne demonstrates the significant role women can play in God's purposes. Her wisdom and courage are exemplary. The Importance of Godly CounselNathan's advice to Bathsheba underscores the value of seeking and heeding godly counsel, especially in times of uncertainty and transition. Leadership and SuccessionThe passage highlights the importance of preparing for leadership transitions with integrity and foresight, ensuring that God's chosen leaders are established. Faithfulness in ServiceAbishag's role, though minor, reminds us of the importance of faithfulness in serving others, even in seemingly small or humble tasks. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 1
If 1 Kings 2:13–25 shows Adonijah requesting Abishag only as a bride, why is his death seen as justifiable, and does this conflict with any moral standards presented in earlier biblical texts?
In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?
In 1 Kings 15:2, why does Abijam's mother appear as 'Maachah,' while 2 Chronicles 13:2 identifies her differently?
Does any historical evidence support or contradict Asa's treaty with Ben-hadad of Syria in 1 Kings 15:18-20?Verse 15. - And Bathsheba went In unto the king into the chamber [lit. inner chamber, θάλαμος, cubiculum penetrale, Buxtorf. Same word 2 Samuel 4:7; 2 Samuel 13:10] and the king was very old [the repetition (see ver. 1) is not idle or unmeaning. Here the word refers to feebleness rather than age. It is mentioned to explain David's confinement to his chamber] and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. [This is introduced to show the king's helplessness. It does not prove that "there was a disinterested witness present" (Rawlinson), for she may have withdrawn, as Bathsheba did presently (ver. 23), and Nathan (ver. 32). It is a graphic touch, painted probably from the life, and by the hand of Nathan, from whom this narrative is derived.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So Bathshebaשֶׁ֤בֶע(še·ḇe‘)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1339:Bathsheba -- perhaps 'daughter of oath', the mother of Solomonwentוַתָּבֹ֨א(wat·tā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goto seeאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingin his bedroom.הַחַ֔דְרָה(ha·ḥaḏ·rāh)Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2315:A chamber, roomSince the kingוְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ(wə·ham·me·leḵ)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingwas veryמְאֹ֑ד(mə·’ōḏ)Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedilyold,זָקֵ֣ן(zā·qên)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2204:To be or become oldAbishagוַֽאֲבִישַׁג֙(wa·’ă·ḇî·šaḡ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 49:Abishag -- 'my father is a wanderer', an Israelite womanthe Shunammiteהַשּׁ֣וּנַמִּ֔ית(haš·šū·nam·mîṯ)Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7767:Shunammite -- a Shunammitesswas servingמְשָׁרַ֖ת(mə·šā·raṯ)Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 8334:To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute tohim.הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A king
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OT History: 1 Kings 1:15 Bathsheba went in to the king into (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
