New International Version“I have one small request to make of you,” she said. “Do not refuse me.” The king replied, “Make it, my mother; I will not refuse you.”
New Living Translation“I have one small request to make of you,” she said. “I hope you won’t turn me down.” “What is it, my mother?” he asked. “You know I won’t refuse you.”
English Standard VersionThen she said, “I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”
Berean Standard Bible“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.”
King James BibleThen she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.
New King James VersionThen she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”
New American Standard BibleThen she said, “I am making one small request of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”
NASB 1995Then she said, “I am making one small request of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”
NASB 1977Then she said, “I am making one small request of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”
Legacy Standard BibleThen she said, “I am making one small request of you; do not turn me away.” And the king said to her, “Ask, my mother, for I will not turn you away.”
Amplified BibleThen she said, “I am making one small request of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”
Christian Standard BibleThen she said, “I have just one small request of you. Don’t turn me down.” “Go ahead and ask, mother,” the king replied, “for I won’t turn you down.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen she said, “I have just one small request of you. Don’t turn me down."” Go ahead and ask, mother,” the king replied, “for I won’t turn you down.”
American Standard VersionThen she said, I ask one small petition of thee; deny me not. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny thee.
Contemporary English VersionBathsheba sat down and then asked, "Would you do me a small favor?" Solomon replied, "Mother, just tell me what you want, and I will do it."
English Revised VersionThen she said, I ask one small petition of thee; deny me not. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not deny thee.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"I'm asking you for one little thing," she said. "Don't refuse me." "Ask, Mother," the king told her. "I won't refuse you."
Good News TranslationShe said, "I have a small favor to ask of you; please do not refuse me." "What is it, mother?" he asked. "I will not refuse you."
International Standard Versionand told him, "I would like to make a minor request of you. Please don't refuse me." "What is your request, mother?" the king asked her. "I won't turn you down."
NET BibleShe 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."
New Heart English BibleThen she said, "I ask one small petition of you; do not deny me." The king said to her, "Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you."
Webster's Bible TranslationThen she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, deny me not. And the king said to her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not deny thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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.”
World English BibleThen she said, “I ask one small petition of you; don’t deny me.” The king said to her, “Ask on, my mother, for I will not deny you.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd she says, “I ask one small petition of you, do not turn back my face”; and the king says to her, “Ask, my mother, for I do not turn back your face.”
Young's Literal Translation And she saith, 'One small petition I ask of thee, turn not back my face;' and the king saith to her, 'Ask, my mother, for I do not turn back thy face.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd she will say, One small asking I ask from thee; thou wilt not turn away my face. And the king will say to her, Ask, my mother, for I will not turn away thy face. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd she said to him: I desire one small petition of thee, do not put me to confusion. And the king said to her: My mother, ask: for I must not turn away thy face.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd she said to him: “I petition one small request from you. May you not confound my face.” And the king said to her: “Ask, my mother. For it is not right that I turn away your face.”
New American BibleShe said, “There is one small favor I would ask of you. Do not refuse me.” The king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”
New Revised Standard VersionThen she said, “I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen she said, I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me. And the king said to her, Ask on, my mother; for I will not refuse you.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd she said: “One small request I ask of you. Do not turn away my face.” And the King said to her: “Ask me, mother, for I will not turn away your face.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then she said: 'I ask one small petition of thee; deny me not.' And the king said unto her: 'Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny thee.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd she said to him, I ask of thee one little request; turn not away my face from thee. And the king said to her, Ask, my mother, and I will not reject thee.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Execution of Adonijah… 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“Ihave just onesmallrequest of you,”she said.“Do notdenyme.”“Make your request,my mother,”the kingreplied,“forI will notdenyyou.”21So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”…
Cross References Esther 5:3“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
Matthew 14:7-9so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. / Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” / The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted
Mark 6:22-26When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” / And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” / Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.” ...
John 2:3-5When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” / “Woman, what is that to you and to Me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” / His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
John 14:13-14And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.
John 15:7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 16:23-24In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
1 John 5:14-15And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.
Genesis 18:27-32Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes— / suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?” He replied, “If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.” / Once again Abraham spoke to the LORD, “Suppose forty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the forty, I will not do it.” ...
Genesis 19:21“Very well,” he answered, “I will grant this request as well, and will not demolish the town you indicate.
1 Samuel 1:17“Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.”
1 Samuel 25:35Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”
2 Samuel 14:11“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”
2 Samuel 19:38The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.”
1 Kings 3:5One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
Treasury of Scripture Then she said, I desire one small petition of you; I pray you, say me not no. And the king said to her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say you no. I desire Matthew 20:20,21 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshippinghim, and desiring a certain thing of him… John 2:3,4 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine… Ask on Matthew 7:7-11 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: … Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:35,36 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law… Jump to Previous DenyDesireFaceMakingMotherPetitionRefuseRequestSmallTurnJump to Next DenyDesireFaceMakingMotherPetitionRefuseRequestSmallTurn1 Kings 2 1.David, having given a charge to Solomon3.of Reverence5.of Joab7.of Barzillai8.of Shimei10.Solomon succeeds12.Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,13.is put to death26.Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood28.Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain35.Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's36.Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.I have just one small request of you,This phrase is spoken by Bathsheba, the mother of King Solomon, as she approaches him with a request. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a queen mother held a significant position of influence and respect. Bathsheba's approach to Solomon reflects the protocol and respect due to a king, even from his own mother. The use of "small request" suggests humility and an appeal to Solomon's sense of duty and familial loyalty. she said.
This indicates Bathsheba's direct communication with Solomon. In the narrative of 1 Kings, Bathsheba's role is pivotal, as she was instrumental in securing Solomon's succession to the throne. Her speech here is part of a larger narrative where she intercedes on behalf of Adonijah, Solomon's older brother, who had previously attempted to usurp the throne. Do not deny me.
This plea underscores the seriousness of Bathsheba's request. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, a request from a mother, especially a queen mother, carried significant weight. The phrase "do not deny me" is a common idiom in biblical literature, often used to express earnestness and the expectation of a favorable response. It reflects the relational dynamics and the expectation of honor and obedience within the family structure. Make your request, my mother,
Solomon's response shows respect and acknowledgment of Bathsheba's position. By addressing her as "my mother," Solomon affirms her authority and the special bond they share. This interaction highlights the importance of family ties and the respect for parental figures in biblical narratives. Solomon's willingness to hear her request demonstrates his wisdom and understanding of the cultural norms of honoring one's parents. the king replied,
This phrase emphasizes Solomon's royal status and authority. As king, Solomon had the power to grant or deny requests, and his response is significant in the context of his reign. The narrative of 1 Kings often contrasts Solomon's wisdom and discernment with the political and familial challenges he faces. His reply here is measured and respectful, indicative of his character as portrayed in the biblical text. for I will not deny you.
Solomon's assurance to Bathsheba reflects his commitment to honor her request, highlighting the cultural expectation of filial piety. This promise also sets the stage for the unfolding events, where Solomon must balance personal loyalty with his kingly duties. The phrase can be seen as a foreshadowing of the challenges Solomon will face in maintaining justice and righteousness, themes central to his reign and wisdom literature. Solomon's willingness to grant Bathsheba's request can be seen as a type of Christ, who also fulfills the requests of those who come to Him in faith. Persons / Places / Events 1. BathshebaThe mother of King Solomon, Bathsheba approaches her son with a request. Her role as the queen mother gives her a position of influence in the royal court. 2. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the newly anointed king of Israel. His response to his mother reflects both respect and the weight of his royal authority. 3. The Royal CourtThe setting is the royal court of Israel, where matters of state and personal requests are brought before the king. 4. Adonijah's RequestThe context of this verse involves Adonijah, Solomon's older brother, who previously attempted to claim the throne. Bathsheba's request is on behalf of Adonijah, which has political implications. 5. The Throne of IsraelThe central symbol of authority and governance in Israel, representing God's covenant with David and his descendants. Teaching Points Respect for Parental AuthoritySolomon's willingness to listen to Bathsheba demonstrates the biblical principle of honoring one's parents, which is foundational in Christian ethics. Wisdom in LeadershipSolomon's response shows the importance of discernment and wisdom in leadership, especially when dealing with family and political matters. The Influence of Godly CounselBathsheba's position as queen mother highlights the impact of godly counsel and influence in the lives of leaders. The Complexity of Family DynamicsThe request involves navigating complex family relationships, reminding us of the need for grace and wisdom in our own family interactions. The Sovereignty of God in LeadershipDespite human plans and requests, God's sovereign will ultimately prevails, as seen in Solomon's reign. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 2
In 1 Kings 15:2, why does Abijam's mother appear as 'Maachah,' while 2 Chronicles 13:2 identifies her differently?
In 1 Kings 22:43, why does the text imply Jehoshaphat removed high places when 2 Chronicles 20:33 suggests otherwise?
What was King Abijah's mother's name: Michaiah (2 Chronicles 13:2) or Maachah (2 Chronicles 11:20), given Absalom's only daughter was Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27)?
How do the details of King Ahab's military campaigns in 1 Kings 20 align or conflict with other biblical passages about his reign?Verse 20. - Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee. [So it seemed, no doubt, to her, in her inexperience and ignorance of Adonijah's real motives. She thought she held the threads of a love story in her hands, and that it would be a small thing for Solomon to make these handsome lovers happy]: I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay. [The readiness of the king to grant whatever she asked proves that the reasons which induced him to deny her request must have been weighty; i.e., Adonijah's suit cannot have been devoid of political consequences.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew “Iאָֽנֹכִי֙(’ā·nō·ḵî)Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595:Ihave just oneאַחַ֤ת(’a·ḥaṯ)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 259:United, one, firstsmallקְטַנָּה֙(qə·ṭan·nāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6996:Small, young, unimportantrequest of you,”שְׁאֵלָ֨ה(šə·’ê·lāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7596:Request, thing asked forshe said.וַתֹּ֗אמֶר(wat·tō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notdenyתָּ֖שֶׁב(tā·šeḇ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againme.”פָּנָ֑י(pā·nāy)Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440:The face“Make your request,שֹׁאֶ֣לֶת(šō·’e·leṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7592:To inquire, to request, to demandmy mother,”אִמִּ֔י(’im·mî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 517:A mother, )the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingreplied,וַיֹּֽאמֶר־(way·yō·mer-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“forכִּ֥י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionI will notלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nodenyאָשִׁ֖יב(’ā·šîḇ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againyou.”פָּנָֽיִךְ׃(pā·nā·yiḵ)Noun - common plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6440:The face
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OT History: 1 Kings 2:20 Then she said I ask one small (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
