Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Abishag is a notable figure in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. She is primarily mentioned in the context of King David's final days and the subsequent events surrounding the succession of the throne. Her account is found in the First Book of Kings.
Biblical Account:Abishag is introduced in
1 Kings 1:1-4. As King David grew old and frail, his servants sought a young virgin to attend to him and keep him warm. Abishag, a Shunammite woman, was chosen for this role due to her beauty and youth. The text states: "So they searched for a beautiful girl throughout the territory of Israel and found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king" (
1 Kings 1:3). Abishag served as David's attendant, providing care and warmth, though the Bible explicitly notes that the king did not have sexual relations with her (
1 Kings 1:4).
Role in the Succession Narrative:Abishag's presence becomes significant in the political intrigue following King David's death. In
1 Kings 2, after Solomon ascends to the throne, Adonijah, David's son who had previously attempted to claim the kingship, approaches Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, with a request. He asks for Abishag to be given to him as a wife. This request is seen as a political maneuver, as taking a former king's concubine or attendant could be interpreted as a claim to the throne. Solomon perceives this as a threat to his rule and orders Adonijah's execution (
1 Kings 2:13-25).
Cultural and Historical Context:Abishag's account reflects the customs and political dynamics of ancient Israel. Her role as a royal attendant highlights the practice of using personal relationships to solidify political power. The request for her hand in marriage by Adonijah underscores the significance of royal associations in claims to legitimacy and authority.
Name and Meaning:The name Abishag is of Hebrew origin, and while its exact meaning is uncertain, it is often interpreted as "my father is a wanderer" or "my father strays." Her designation as a Shunammite indicates her origin from Shunem, a town in the territory of Issachar.
Legacy:Abishag's account, though brief, is pivotal in the narrative of Solomon's rise to power. Her involvement in the royal court and the subsequent political implications of her association with King David illustrate the complex interplay of personal relationships and political ambition in the biblical narrative. Her presence in the text serves as a catalyst for the events that solidify Solomon's reign and eliminate potential threats to his kingship.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Abishagignorance of the father
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Abishaga beautiful Shunammite (from Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar), taken into David's harem to comfort him in his extreme old age. (1 Kings 1:1-4)
ATS Bible Dictionary
AbishagA beautiful virgin of Shunem, in Issachar, chosen to marry David in his old age and cherish him. After his death, Adonijah sought her hand to promote his treasonable aspirations, and was punished by death,1 Kings 1:1-2:46.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Father of (i.e., "given to") error, a young woman of Shunem, distinguished for her beauty. She was chosen to minister to David in his old age. She became his wife (
1 Kings 1:3, 4, 15). After David's death Adonijah persuaded Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to entreat the king to permit him to marry Abishag. Solomon suspected in this request an aspiration to the throne, and therefore caused him to be put to death (
1 Kings 2:17-25).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ABISHAGab'-i-shag, a-bi'-shag ('abhishagh, apparently, "father of wandering," that is, "cause of wandering," or "my father wanders"): The Shunammite woman who became nurse to King David (1 Kings 1-4, 15;1 Kings 2:17, 21, 22). She was chosen for the service with great care on account of her youth and beauty and physical vigor. She ministered to the king, that is, waited on him as personal attendant and nurse. She also "cherished" him in his feebleness-gave to him through physical contact the advantage of her superabundant vitality. This was a mode of medical treatment recommended by the servants of the king, and it appears to have been not wholly unsuccessful. She had an intimate knowledge of the condition of David, and was present at the interview of Bathsheba with David which resulted in the placing of Solomon on the throne. If that act had been questioned she would have been a most important witness. By reason of this and of her personal charms, she might become a strong helper to any rival of Solomon who should intrigue to supplant him. Adonijah sought Abishag in marriage. On the basis of this and of such other evidence as may supposably have been in his possession, Solomon put Adonijah to death as an intriguer.
Willis J. Beecher
Strong's Hebrew
49.Abishag -- "my father is a wanderer," an Israelite woman... 48, 49.
Abishag. 50 . "my father is a wanderer," an Israelite woman.
Transliteration:
Abishag Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-shag') Short Definition:
Abishag.
...Library
How Solomon, when He had Received the Kingdom Took Off His
... settlement; but he desired her to be a means of obtaining a favor from his brother
to him, and to persuade him to bestow on him in marriageAbishag, who had...
Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... A girl is accordingly sought from the coasts of Israel"Abishag the
Shunamite"to sleep with the king and warm his aged frame....
How Solomon Became the Ruler of Israel
... repeat your words.". So Bathsheba went into David's room; he was very old,
andAbishag the Shunamite was caring for him. When David...
That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That...
... Now there was found in the city one woman, of a superior beauty to all other women,
[her name wasAbishag,] who, sleeping with the king, did no more than...
Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters. The Bible Book...
... (18) Hannah, 1 Sam. s.1-2. (19) Bathshebah, 2:Sam.11:3. (20)Abishag, 1:K.1:3.
(21) Jezebel, 1:K.21:5. (22) Vashti, Esth.1:19. (23) Esther, Esth.2:7....
Song of Songs
... His bride, perhaps a plain country girl, counts for the week as the maid of Shulem,
vi.13, ieAbishag, once the fairest maid in Israel (vi.1, I Kings i.3). So...
Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... of Assyria signified King Herod (!); [10] or when Jerome could say, No one doubts
that by Chaldeans are meant Demons,' [11] and the ShunammiteAbishag could be...
On the Words Incarnate, and Made Man.
... But that you may learn more plainly that even a virgin is called in Holy Scripture
a "damsel," hear the Book of the Kings, speaking ofAbishag the Shunamite...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Abishag (5 Occurrences)... After David's death Adonijah persuaded Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to entreat the
king to permit him to marry
Abishag.
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ABISHAG.
...Ab'ishag (5 Occurrences)
Ab'ishag.Abishag, Ab'ishag. Abishai . Multi-Version Concordance... The king was
very old; andAbishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king. (See RSV)....
Shunammite (8 Occurrences)
... (1)Abishag, who was brought to minister to the aged king David, love for whom
led Adonijah to his doom (1 Kings 1:3, 15; 1 Kings 2:17, etc.)....
Shunamite (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel,
and foundAbishag a Shunamite, and brought her to the king. (WBS)....
Shu'nammite (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel,
and foundAbishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. (See RSV)....
Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
...Abishag was brought in, not to "attend upon David during has declining years,"
but to put her vitality at has disposal during a few weeks....
Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences)
... hand. (See RSV). 1 Kings 2:21 And she said: 'LetAbishag the Shunammite be
given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.' (See RSV). 1 Kings...
You'no (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 2:17 He said, "Please speak to Solomon the king (for he will not tell
you'no'), that he give meAbishag the Shunammite as wife." (WEB)....
Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Kings 2:22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother:
'And why dost thou askAbishag the Shunammite for Adonijah?...
Bathshe'ba (10 Occurrences)
... king into the chamber. --Now the king was very old; andAbishag the Shunammite
ministered unto the king.-- (See RSV). 1 Kings 1:16...
Resources
Who was Abishag in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the true issue between Adonijah and Solomon over Abishag? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did David need Abishag to keep him warm when he had wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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