1 Kings 2:17

KJV

And 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Speak {H559}, I pray thee, unto Solomon {H8010} the king {H4428},(for he will not say {H7725} thee {H6440} nay {H7725},) that he give {H5414} me Abishag {H49} the Shunammite {H7767} to wife {H802}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, "Please speak to Shlomo the king - for he won't say 'No' to you - and ask him to give me Avishag the Shunamit as my wife."

Berean Standard Bible

Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Kings 2:17, Adonijah, a son of King David, approaches Bathsheba, King Solomon’s mother, with a seemingly innocuous request: that she intercede with Solomon to allow him to marry Abishag the Shunammite. This plea, however, is far from simple; it is a calculated political maneuver, subtly yet profoundly challenging Solomon’s newly established reign and revealing Adonijah’s persistent, dangerous ambition for the throne, despite having been previously pardoned.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated in the critical opening chapters of 1 Kings, immediately following the death of King David and the tumultuous transition of power to his divinely appointed successor, Solomon. The preceding chapter, [1 Kings 1](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings 1 - David's Succession and Adonijah's Usurpation Attempt"), details Adonijah's audacious, premature attempt to seize the throne while David was still alive, gathering support from key figures like Joab and Abiathar. This attempt was thwarted by the swift action of Bathsheba, Nathan the prophet, and King David himself, leading to Solomon's immediate anointing and coronation. Adonijah was initially spared by Solomon, on the condition that he prove himself "a worthy man" ([1 Kings 1:52](/1_kings/1-52 "1 Kings 1:52 - Solomon's Warning to Adonijah")). Therefore, Adonijah's request in [1 Kings 2:17](/1_kings/2-17 "1 Kings 2:17 - Adonijah's Request for Abishag") is not an isolated incident but a direct continuation of his previous aspirations, now cloaked in a more subtle guise. Abishag herself was a young woman who had served David in his old age, warming him and attending to him, though the text explicitly states he "knew her not" ([1 Kings 1:4](/1_kings/1-4 "1 Kings 1:4 - Abishag's Service to David")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the practice of marrying a deceased king's concubines or attendants was a widely recognized symbol and assertion of a claim to the throne or royal authority. These women were considered part of the royal inheritance and household, and to take them as one's own was to symbolically inherit the king's power and legitimacy. This custom is evident in various biblical accounts, such as Absalom's public defilement of David's concubines ([2 Samuel 16:21-22](/2_samuel/16-21 "2 Samuel 16:21-22 - Absalom's Public Claim to the Throne")) and Ish-bosheth's accusation against Abner for taking Rizpah, Saul's concubine ([2 Samuel 3:7-8](/2_samuel/3-7 "2 Samuel 3:7-8 - Abner and Rizpah")). Therefore, Adonijah's request for Abishag, who had been intimately associated with King David's person and household, was not merely a romantic overture but a highly political act. It was an indirect but potent challenge to Solomon's sovereignty, suggesting a lingering claim to the royal lineage and prerogative.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Kings. Firstly, it highlights the **perilous nature of succession and the consolidation of royal power** in the ancient world, where rivals often sought to undermine the new king. Adonijah's request underscores the ongoing threat to Solomon's nascent reign, even after his initial pardon. Secondly, it illuminates the **significant, albeit often indirect, influence of royal women** in court politics. Adonijah's strategic appeal to Bathsheba, based on his conviction that "he will not say thee nay," demonstrates the perceived power and leverage of the Queen Mother in the Israelite monarchy. Finally, this episode serves as an early and crucial test of **Solomon's burgeoning wisdom and discernment**. His immediate recognition of the true intent behind Adonijah's seemingly innocent request, as revealed in [1 Kings 2:22](/1_kings/2-22 "1 Kings 2:22 - Solomon's Discernment of Adonijah's Motives"), demonstrates his keen insight into human nature and political realities, foreshadowing the wisdom for which he would become renowned ([1 Kings 3:16-28](/1_kings/3-16 "1 Kings 3:16-28 - Solomon's Wisdom in Judgment")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abishag (Hebrew, _ʾĂḇîšaḡ_):** This name means "my father is error" or "father of error," though its etymology is debated. More importantly, her identity as "the Shunammite" ties her to Shunem, a town in the territory of Issachar. Her role as David's attendant in his old age ([1 Kings 1:1-4](/1_kings/1-1 "1 Kings 1:1-4 - Abishag's Service to David")) is crucial. While she was not a concubine in the sense of sexual relations, she was part of the royal household and had a unique, intimate proximity to the king. Therefore, a request to marry her was a direct claim on David's legacy and, by extension, a challenge to Solomon's succession.
* **Wife (Hebrew, _ʾiššâ_):** The Hebrew term for "wife" here is not merely about marital status but carries significant social and political weight in this context. For Adonijah, taking Abishag as a wife would legitimize his association with the former king's household and could be interpreted by the people as a step towards asserting his own royal claim, especially given his prior attempt to seize the throne. It was a strategic move to gain symbolic authority and popular support.
* **"he will not say thee nay" (Hebrew, _loʾ-yāšîḇ ʾeṯ-pānayik_):** Literally, "he will not turn away your face." This idiom signifies that Solomon will not refuse Bathsheba's request. Adonijah's confidence in Bathsheba's influence underscores the significant power and respect accorded to the Queen Mother in the Israelite court. He believed her maternal authority would override Solomon's political caution, revealing his miscalculation of Solomon's resolve and discernment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king,"**: Adonijah addresses Bathsheba, David's widow and Solomon's mother. His choice of intercessor is deliberate, highlighting his understanding of her unique position and influence with the new king. The polite "I pray thee" (נָא, _nāʾ_) masks the audacious intent behind the request, presenting it as a humble plea rather than a political gambit.
* **"(for he will not say thee nay,)"**: This parenthetical clause reveals Adonijah's strategic thinking and his perception of Bathsheba's power. He believes that Solomon, out of filial respect and love, would be unable to refuse his mother's appeal, even if he might refuse Adonijah directly. This demonstrates Adonijah's attempt to leverage family ties for political gain, underestimating Solomon's shrewdness.
* **"that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife."**: This is the core request. By asking for Abishag, a woman who had been intimately associated with King David's person and household, Adonijah was subtly but undeniably asserting a claim to David's legacy and, by extension, to the throne. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, marrying a deceased king's concubine or attendant was a recognized way to lay claim to royal authority and legitimacy.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Adonijah's seemingly humble and personal request for a wife is, in reality, a deeply political and ambitious maneuver, directly challenging the king he claims to respect. His confidence that Solomon "will not say thee nay" is also ironic, as Solomon's response is precisely the opposite of what Adonijah expects, leading to his swift execution. **Foreshadowing** is also at play; this request immediately signals that Adonijah's threat to the throne is far from over, setting the stage for Solomon's decisive actions to consolidate his power and eliminate rivals. Furthermore, Abishag herself functions as **Symbolism**. She is not merely a woman Adonijah desires, but a tangible symbol of David's royal prerogative and legacy. To possess her is to symbolically possess a piece of the former king's authority, making the request a direct challenge to Solomon's rightful inheritance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This episode profoundly illustrates the theological principle of divine sovereignty in establishing leadership and the consequences of human ambition that opposes God's chosen path. Adonijah's persistent attempts to seize the throne, even after God had clearly designated Solomon, highlight a fundamental distrust or disregard for divine ordination. His actions serve as a stark reminder that true authority comes from God, not from human manipulation or political maneuvering. Solomon's decisive response, guided by divine wisdom, demonstrates the necessity of upholding God's order and swiftly dealing with threats to the divinely established leadership, ensuring stability and justice within the kingdom.

* [2 Samuel 3:7-8](/2_samuel/3-7 "2 Samuel 3:7-8 - Abner's Taking of Rizpah as a Claim to Saul's House")
* [2 Samuel 16:21-22](/2_samuel/16-21 "2 Samuel 16:21-22 - Absalom's Public Defilement of David's Concubines")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Adonijah's request in 1 Kings 2:17 serves as a timeless warning against subtle ambition and the deceptive nature of appearances. What seems like a benign personal desire can often mask deeper, more insidious motives. For believers, this passage underscores the critical importance of spiritual discernment, especially when evaluating requests or situations that might subtly undermine established authority, whether in the church, family, or workplace. It challenges us to look beyond the surface, to consider the underlying intentions and potential consequences of actions, and to uphold God-given order. Solomon's swift and firm response, though seemingly harsh, demonstrates the necessity of decisive action when faced with threats to peace, stability, and legitimate authority. In our own lives, this calls us to be vigilant against our own hidden ambitions, to submit to rightful authority, and to act with integrity and wisdom, recognizing that true power and blessing comes from aligning with God's will, not from self-serving schemes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might subtle, seemingly innocent requests mask deeper, ungodly ambitions in our own lives or in the community around us?**
* **What role does discernment play in recognizing and responding to such hidden motives, and how can we cultivate greater spiritual discernment?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to leverage relationships or perceived influence to achieve personal gain, rather than trusting in God's provision and timing?**
* **How does Solomon's decisive action here inform our understanding of leadership and the need to protect the integrity of God-ordained structures?**

### FAQ
**Why was marrying Abishag considered a challenge to Solomon's throne?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, including Israel, marrying a deceased king's concubine or a woman intimately associated with his royal household was a widely recognized symbol of claiming the king's authority and legitimacy. These women were considered part of the royal inheritance. By seeking Abishag, who had served King David in his old age and was part of his immediate royal entourage ([1 Kings 1:1-4](/1_kings/1-1 "1 Kings 1:1-4 - Abishag's Service to David")), Adonijah was subtly yet powerfully asserting a claim to David's legacy and, by extension, to the throne that Solomon now occupied. It was a political statement, not merely a romantic desire, designed to gather support and challenge Solomon's reign, much like Absalom's public defilement of David's concubines ([2 Samuel 16:21-22](/2_samuel/16-21 "2 Samuel 16:21-22 - Absalom's Public Claim to the Throne")) was a clear act of usurpation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Adonijah's persistent, self-serving ambition, culminating in this calculated request for Abishag, stands in stark contrast to the humble, self-sacrificial kingship of Jesus Christ. Adonijah sought to establish his kingdom through political maneuvering, leveraging familial influence, and claiming symbolic ties to the previous monarch. His desire for a "wife" (Abishag) was a means to an earthly throne. In profound contrast, Christ's kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), and His authority is not seized but freely given by the Father ([John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Authority Given to the Son")). The "bride" of Christ is not a political pawn but the Church, redeemed and purified by His own blood ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). While Adonijah's ambition led to his swift and decisive judgment by Solomon ([1 Kings 2:25](/1_kings/2-25 "1 Kings 2:25 - Adonijah's Execution")), Christ, the true King, willingly laid down His life, conquering sin and death, and now reigns eternally, inviting all to His spiritual kingdom ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). His reign is characterized by grace, truth, and eternal peace, a stark contrast to the worldly power struggles depicted in 1 Kings.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 1:2

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.

1 Kings 1:4

And the damsel [was] very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

2 Samuel 3:7

¶ And Saul had a concubine, whose name [was] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ishbosheth] 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 if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.