New International VersionSo he continued, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”
New Living TranslationHe 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 VersionAnd he said, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”
Berean 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.”
King James BibleAnd 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 VersionThen 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 BibleThen 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 1995Then 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 1977Then 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 BibleThen 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 BibleHe said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you; ask that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife.”
Christian Standard BibleHe 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 BibleHe 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 VersionAnd 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 VersionAnd 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® TranslationHe said, "Please ask King Solomon to give me Abishag from Shunem as my wife. He will not refuse you."
Good News TranslationHe 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 VersionThen 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 BibleHe 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 BibleHe 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 TranslationAnd 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 BibleHe 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.”
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 TranslationAnd 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleHe said, “Please ask King Solomon, who will not refuse you, to give me Abishag the Shunamite to be my wife.”
New Revised Standard VersionHe 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 TranslatedHe 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 TranslationAnd 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,“Pleasespeakto KingSolomon,sincehe will notturn you down.Let him givemeAbishagthe Shunammiteas my wife.”18“Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”…
Cross References 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 1:11-14Then 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 1:50-53But 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 3:27-30When 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 12:24-25Then 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.
2 Samuel 16:21-23Ahithophel 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. / Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.
2 Samuel 20:9-10“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.
1 Kings 11:14-22Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. / Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom. ...
1 Kings 11:26-40Now Jeroboam son of Nebat was an Ephraimite from Zeredah whose mother was a widow named Zeruah. Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon, but he rebelled against the king, / and this is the account of his rebellion against the king. Solomon had built the supporting terraces and repaired the gap in the wall of the city of his father David. / Now Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. So when Solomon noticed that the young man was industrious, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph. ...
Matthew 1:6-7and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife, / Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.
Matthew 14:3-11Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” / Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. ...
Mark 6:17-28For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. / For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” / So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable, ...
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!”
Luke 3:31the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
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 namewas Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: andIshbosheth 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 ifthat had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Jump to Previous AbishagAb'ishagContinuedFacePleaseRefuseRequestShunamiteShunammiteShu'nammiteSolomonSpeakTurnWifeJump to Next AbishagAb'ishagContinuedFacePleaseRefuseRequestShunamiteShunammiteShu'nammiteSolomonSpeakTurnWife1 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.Adonijah repliedAdonijah, 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
Adonijah approaches Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to intercede on his behalf. This reflects the cultural practice of using influential intermediaries to make requests to a king. Bathsheba's position as the queen mother gives her a unique status and influence in the royal court, which Adonijah hopes to leverage. since he will not turn you down
Adonijah assumes that Solomon will honor a request made by his mother, Bathsheba. This assumption is based on the respect and authority typically afforded to the queen mother in the royal hierarchy. It also reflects Adonijah's understanding of familial dynamics and the potential influence Bathsheba holds over Solomon. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife
Abishag was a young woman who served King David in his old age, providing him with warmth and care. Although she was not David's wife, her association with the king gives her a status that could be seen as a claim to the throne. In the ancient Near East, taking a former king's concubine or attendant could be interpreted as a claim to his throne. Adonijah's request is thus politically charged, as marrying Abishag could be seen as an attempt to legitimize his previous claim to kingship. This request is reminiscent of Absalom's actions in2 Samuel 16:21-22, where he took his father David's concubines to assert his claim to the throne. 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. BathshebaThe mother of Solomon, approached by Adonijah to intercede on his behalf with King Solomon. 3. King SolomonThe 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 ShunammiteA 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 IsraelThe 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 IntercessionBathsheba'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 LeadershipSolomon'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 ManipulationThe 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 RelationshipsThe 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. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 2
Why did Solomon execute Adonijah for requesting Abishag?
Who was Abishag in the Bible?
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?
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?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“Pleaseנָא֙(nā)Interjection
Strong's 4994:I pray', 'now', 'then'speakאִמְרִי־(’im·rî-)Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto Kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingSolomon,לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה(liš·lō·mōh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010:Solomon -- David's son and successor to his thronesinceכִּ֥י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionhe will notלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noturn you down.יָשִׁ֖יב(yā·šîḇ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againLet him giveוְיִתֶּן־(wə·yit·ten-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setmeלִ֛י(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's HebrewAbishagאֲבִישַׁ֥ג(’ă·ḇî·šaḡ)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 49:Abishag -- 'my father is a wanderer', an Israelite womanthe Shunammiteהַשּׁוּנַמִּ֖ית(haš·šū·nam·mîṯ)Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7767:Shunammite -- a Shunammitessas 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 NLT1 Kings 2:17 ESV1 Kings 2:17 NASB1 Kings 2:17 KJV
1 Kings 2:17 BibleApps.com1 Kings 2:17 Biblia Paralela1 Kings 2:17 Chinese Bible1 Kings 2:17 French Bible1 Kings 2:17 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Kings 2:17 He said Please speak to Solomon (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
