1 Kings 2:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he [is] mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

Complete Jewish Bible:

King Shlomo answered his mother, "Why are you asking Avishag the Shunamit for Adoniyah? Ask the kingdom for him too! After all, he's my older brother! Yes, for him, and for Evyatar the cohen and for Yo'av the son of Tz'ruyah!"

Berean Standard Bible:

King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

American Standard Version:

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And king^{H4428} Solomon^{H8010} answered^{H6030} and said^{H559} unto his mother^{H517}, And why dost thou ask^{H7592} Abishag^{H49} the Shunammite^{H7767} for Adonijah^{H138}? ask^{H7592} for him the kingdom^{H4410} also; for he is mine elder^{H1419} brother^{H251}; even for him, and for Abiathar^{H54} the priest^{H3548}, and for Joab^{H3097} the son^{H1121} of Zeruiah^{H6870}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for 1 Kings 2:22

1 Kings 2:22 is a part of the narrative concerning the transition of power from King David to his son Solomon. The verse captures a moment of political intrigue and tension within the royal court of Israel. In this passage, Solomon is responding to his mother, Bathsheba, who has come to him on behalf of Adonijah, Solomon's older brother. Adonijah had previously attempted to seize the throne, but his efforts were thwarted when David, on his deathbed, declared Solomon his successor.

The themes present in this verse include family dynamics, loyalty, and the complexities of royal succession. Solomon's response to his mother reflects his awareness of the political maneuvering surrounding the throne. By asking Bathsheba why she requests Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah, Solomon implies that such a request could be a precursor to another attempt by Adonijah to claim the kingship. Abishag was a young woman who had been brought to King David to keep him warm in his old age, and her association with the previous king could symbolize a continued connection to the royal line, thus making her a politically significant figure.

Furthermore, Solomon's mention of Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah indicates his recognition of the key players involved in Adonijah's previous coup. Abiathar had supported Adonijah's claim to the throne, and Joab, the renowned military leader, had also aligned with Adonijah. Solomon's reference to them underscores his cautious approach to the loyalties and ambitions of these influential figures within his court.

The historical context of this verse is set during the early reign of Solomon, a time when his position as king was not yet fully secure. The interactions between Bathsheba, Solomon, and the mention of Adonijah, Abiathar, and Joab, reflect the ongoing challenges Solomon faced in consolidating his power and navigating the delicate balance of allegiances and rivalries within the royal court. This moment is part of a larger narrative that will lead to Solomon's firm establishment as king and the subsequent golden age of his reign.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8010
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁלֹמֹה
   Transliteration: Shᵉlômôh
   Pronunciation: shel-o-mo'
   Description: from שָׁלוֹם; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor; Solomon.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6030
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H517
   There are 387 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵם
   Transliteration: ʼêm
   Pronunciation: ame
   Description: a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father)); dam, mother, [idiom] parting.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7592
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁאַל
   Transliteration: shâʼal
   Pronunciation: shaw-al'
   Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish.
   
7. Strong's Number: H49
   There are 1659 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲבִישַׁג
   Transliteration: ʼĂbîyshag
   Pronunciation: ab-ee-shag'
   Description: from אָב and שָׁגָה; father of error (i.e. blundering); Abishag, a concubine of David; Abishag.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7767
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּנַמִּית
   Transliteration: Shûwnammîyth
   Pronunciation: shoo-nam-meeth'
   Description: patrial from שׁוּנֵם; a Shunammitess, or female inhabitant of Shunem; Shunamite.
   
9. Strong's Number: H138
   There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲדֹנִיָּה
   Transliteration: ʼĂdônîyâh
   Pronunciation: ad-o-nee-yaw'
   Description: original (prolonged) אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ ; from אָדוֹן and יָהּ; lord (i.e. worshipper) of Jah; Adonijah, the name of three Israelites; Adonijah.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4410
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מְלוּכָה
    Transliteration: mᵉlûwkâh
    Pronunciation: mel-oo-kaw'
    Description: feminine passive participle of מָלַךְ; something ruled, i.e. a realm; kingsom, king's, [idiom] royal.
    
11. Strong's Number: H1419
    There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גָּדוֹל
    Transliteration: gâdôwl
    Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
    Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
    
12. Strong's Number: H251
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָח
    Transliteration: ʼâch
    Pronunciation: awkh
    Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
    
13. Strong's Number: H54
    There are 3292 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶבְיָתָר
    Transliteration: ʼEbyâthâr
    Pronunciation: ab-yaw-thawr'
    Description: contracted from אָב and יָתַר; father of abundance (i.e. liberal); Ebjathar, an Israelite; Abiathar.
    
14. Strong's Number: H3548
    There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כֹּהֵן
    Transliteration: kôhên
    Pronunciation: ko-hane'
    Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer.
    
15. Strong's Number: H3097
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹאָב
    Transliteration: Yôwʼâb
    Pronunciation: yo-awb'
    Description: from יְהֹוָה and אָב; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites; Joab.
    
16. Strong's Number: H1121
    There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּן
    Transliteration: bên
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
    
17. Strong's Number: H6870
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צְרוּיָה
    Transliteration: Tsᵉrûwyâh
    Pronunciation: tser-oo-yaw'
    Description: feminine passive participle from the same as צְרִי; wounded; Tserujah, an Israelitess; Zeruiah.