1 Kings 1:16

And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

And Bathsheba {H1339} bowed {H6915}, and did obeisance {H7812} unto the king {H4428}. And the king {H4428} said {H559}, What wouldest thou?

Bat-Sheva bowed, prostrating herself to the king. The king asked, "What do you want?"

And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, β€œWhat is your desire?”

And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

Commentary

1 Kings 1:16 describes a pivotal moment in the waning days of King David's reign, setting the stage for the resolution of a significant succession crisis. It captures Bathsheba's respectful approach to the aging monarch, highlighting the formal protocols of the ancient Israelite court even amidst personal relationships.

Context

This verse immediately follows Bathsheba entering King David's chamber. At this time, King David was "old and stricken in years," and his physical and mental faculties were diminishing. A crisis had erupted because David's eldest living son, Adonijah, had presumptuously declared himself king, gathering support from powerful figures like Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar the priest. Unbeknownst to David, Adonijah's actions threatened the divine promise that David's son, Solomon, would succeed him on the throne (as seen in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 and 1 Chronicles 22:9-10). Nathan the prophet, along with Bathsheba, orchestrated this visit to remind David of his oath regarding Solomon, as detailed in 1 Kings 1:11-14.

Key Themes

  • Respect and Royal Protocol: Bathsheba's act of "bowing" and doing "obeisance" demonstrates profound respect and adherence to the established courtly etiquette when approaching the king, even for his wife. This was a common practice for showing honor and submission to authority in the ancient Near East.
  • David's Diminished State: David's question, "What wouldest thou?" (meaning "What do you wish?"), subtly reveals his frailty and perhaps a lack of full awareness, underscoring the urgency for Bathsheba to clearly state her purpose and remind him of his solemn oath.
  • The Impending Succession: This interaction is a critical step in resolving the Adonijah's attempted usurpation and securing Solomon's rightful place on the throne, as divinely appointed and promised by David.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bowed, and did obeisance" translates the Hebrew verb shachah (שָׁחָה), which signifies prostrating oneself to the ground. This action was not merely a polite greeting but a profound gesture of reverence, submission, and honor, often used in the context of worshiping God or showing deep respect to a king or superior. It underscores the formality and weight of the moment Bathsheba is initiating.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of the importance of respect for authority, even in challenging circumstances. It also highlights how divine plans unfold, often through human actions and interactions. Bathsheba, acting with wisdom and guidance from Nathan, played a crucial role in ensuring the fulfillment of God's promise for David's lineage. It teaches us that even when leaders are weak or unaware, God's purposes can be brought to fruition through faithful and strategic intervention.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 24:8

    David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

  • 1 Samuel 20:41

    [And] as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of [a place] toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

  • 1 Samuel 25:23

    And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,

  • 1 Kings 1:23

    And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

  • Matthew 20:21

    And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

  • Matthew 20:32

    And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

  • 1 Kings 2:20

    Then 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.
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