1 Kings 2:18

KJV

And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Bathsheba {H1339} said {H559}, Well {H2896}; I will speak {H1696} for thee unto the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bat-Sheva said, "All right, I will speak to the king on your behalf."

Berean Standard Bible

“Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

American Standard Version

And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 2:18 records Bathsheba's immediate and seemingly innocent agreement to intercede with her son, King Solomon, on behalf of Adonijah. This pivotal moment sets the stage for a critical test of Solomon's nascent reign, as Adonijah's request for Abishag the Shunammite, though framed as a personal desire, carries profound political implications that threaten the stability and legitimacy of Solomon's recently established throne.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a crucial juncture in the narrative of Solomon's ascension to the throne. Immediately preceding it, in [1 Kings 2:13-17](/1_kings/2-13 "1 Kings 2:13-17 - Adonijah's Request to Bathsheba"), Adonijah approaches Bathsheba, presenting himself as a humble supplicant and expressing his desire to marry Abishag the Shunammite, who had served King David in his old age. Adonijah strategically appeals to Bathsheba's maternal influence, knowing her unique position with Solomon. Bathsheba's affirmative response in [1 Kings 2:18](/1_kings/2-18 "1 Kings 2:18 - Bathsheba Agrees to Intercede") directly leads to her audience with Solomon in [1 Kings 2:19-21](/1_kings/2-19 "1 Kings 2:19-21 - Bathsheba's Petition to Solomon"), where she presents Adonijah's request. The subsequent verses, [1 Kings 2:22-25](/1_kings/2-22 "1 Kings 2:22-25 - Solomon's Decisive Response to Adonijah"), reveal Solomon's swift and decisive understanding of Adonijah's true intentions, leading to Adonijah's execution and the further consolidation of Solomon's reign. This sequence highlights the transition from David's era to Solomon's, marked by the elimination of lingering threats to the new king's authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the wives and concubines of a deceased king were considered the property of his successor, and to marry one of them was a symbolic act of claiming the throne and inheriting the former king's authority. Abishag, though never explicitly described as David's concubine, had a unique and intimate role as his attendant in his final days ([1 Kings 1:1-4](/1_kings/1-1 "1 Kings 1:1-4 - Abishag the Shunammite Serves David")). Her association with David made her a potent symbol of royal succession. Adonijah's previous attempt to usurp the throne during David's lifetime ([1 Kings 1:5-10](/1_kings/1-5 "1 Kings 1:5-10 - Adonijah's Attempt to Seize the Throne")) provides crucial context for understanding the political gravity of his request. Bathsheba, as the *gebirah* (queen mother), held a position of significant influence and honor in the Israelite court, often acting as an intercessor or advisor to the king. Her agreement here reflects this customary role, though she may not have immediately grasped the full depth of Adonijah's cunning political maneuver.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings - The Reigns of Kings in Israel and Judah"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **succession and the consolidation of power**. Even after Solomon's anointing, the lingering ambitions of rivals like Adonijah pose a threat, necessitating decisive action to secure the legitimate reign. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **discernment and wisdom**, which becomes a hallmark of Solomon's rule. While Bathsheba initially agrees without apparent suspicion, Solomon's later response demonstrates his acute understanding of the hidden motives behind Adonijah's seemingly innocuous request ([1 Kings 2:22](/1_kings/2-22 "1 Kings 2:22 - Solomon Discerns Adonijah's True Motives")). Thirdly, the passage illustrates the **power of intercession and influence** within royal courts, particularly the significant role of the queen mother. Finally, it touches upon the theme of **divine sovereignty** in establishing the chosen king, as Solomon's reign is ultimately secured by God's hand, despite human machinations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Well (Hebrew, _kēn_):** This word signifies "yes," "truly," "so be it," or "it is so." In this context, Bathsheba's use of *kēn* indicates a straightforward, immediate, and unqualified agreement to Adonijah's request. It suggests a lack of immediate suspicion or a simple willingness to fulfill her role as an intercessor, perhaps trusting in Solomon's ultimate judgment or not fully comprehending the political implications of Adonijah's seemingly personal plea.
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dāḇar_):** While a common verb for "to speak," in this specific context, *dāḇar* carries the nuance of "to intercede," "to advocate," or "to present a case." Bathsheba is not merely going to chat with Solomon; she is committing to formally present Adonijah's petition, leveraging her unique access and influence as the queen mother on his behalf. This highlights her perceived power in the royal court.
* **King (Hebrew, _melek_):** The use of "the king" (Solomon) here emphasizes the new locus of power. Adonijah's request, though directed to Bathsheba, is ultimately aimed at the one who holds the supreme authority. Bathsheba's agreement to speak "unto the king" underscores the formal and official nature of the impending interaction and the absolute authority Solomon now wielded.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Bathsheba said, Well;":** This opening clause immediately establishes Bathsheba's response. Her simple, affirmative "Well" (Hebrew *kēn*) conveys a ready assent, suggesting that she either did not immediately perceive the underlying political danger of Adonijah's request or perhaps, in her role as a compassionate figure, felt compelled to present his petition. It sets up the expectation that she will indeed act on his behalf.
* **"I will speak for thee unto the king.":** This second clause clarifies the nature of Bathsheba's agreement: she will act as an intermediary, using her privileged access and influence as the queen mother to present Adonijah's case directly to Solomon. The phrase "for thee" indicates her intention to advocate on Adonijah's behalf, lending her credibility to his request, while "unto the king" emphasizes Solomon's ultimate authority and the formal nature of the petition.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Bathsheba's seemingly helpful and benign agreement to intercede ultimately leads to Adonijah's demise, rather than his desired outcome. Her promise, intended to facilitate a request, instead triggers Solomon's decisive action against a lingering threat. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Bathsheba's agreement sets the stage for Solomon's display of wisdom and firm rule in the subsequent verses, where he shrewdly discerns Adonijah's true intentions. This moment contributes to the **Characterization** of Bathsheba as a figure of influence, but perhaps initially lacking the political astuteness of her son, and of Adonijah as a persistent, albeit misguided, schemer. The simple, direct dialogue also contributes to the **Pacing** of the narrative, moving swiftly towards the climactic confrontation between Solomon and Adonijah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly brief exchange between Bathsheba and Adonijah, and her subsequent agreement, is pregnant with theological significance. It highlights the pervasive nature of human ambition and the subtle ways in which power can be sought, even under the guise of humility. The narrative underscores the necessity of divine wisdom and discernment, particularly for those in positions of leadership, to perceive the true motives behind actions and to protect the integrity of God-ordained authority. Solomon's response, though not in this verse, demonstrates that true wisdom is not merely intellectual acuity but the ability to act decisively in accordance with righteousness and the divine will, ensuring justice and stability within the kingdom. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that God's plan for succession and the establishment of His kingdom will prevail, even amidst human intrigue and attempts to thwart it.

* [Proverbs 4:7](/proverbs/4-7 "Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is the Principal Thing")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Ask God for Wisdom")
* [Romans 13:1-2](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1-2 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The interaction in 1 Kings 2:18, though ancient, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Bathsheba's quick agreement reminds us of the importance of discernment in our own lives. Not every request, even from those who seem humble or deserving, is benign. We are called to cultivate spiritual wisdom to perceive the true intentions behind words and actions, especially in matters that could compromise integrity, truth, or the well-being of others. This passage also underscores the responsibility of those in positions of influence—whether parents, leaders, or friends—to use their access and voice wisely, not to enable schemes, but to uphold what is righteous and just. Just as Solomon had to protect his God-given kingdom, we too must be vigilant in protecting the spiritual integrity of our lives, our families, and our communities from subtle deceptions and self-serving ambitions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we cultivate greater spiritual discernment in our daily interactions and decisions?**
* **When have you encountered a situation where a seemingly innocent request masked a deeper, more problematic motive? How did you respond?**
* **In what ways might we, like Bathsheba, inadvertently enable something harmful by failing to perceive underlying intentions?**
* **What does Solomon's later decisive action teach us about the responsibility of leadership in confronting threats to truth and order?**

### FAQ

**Why did Bathsheba agree so readily to Adonijah's request?**

Answer: Bathsheba's ready agreement, indicated by the Hebrew word "ken" (well/yes), likely stems from several factors. Firstly, as the queen mother, she held a traditional role as an intercessor for those seeking the king's favor, and she may have simply been fulfilling this expected duty. Secondly, Adonijah presented his request for Abishag as a humble, personal plea, framing it as his "one request" ([1 Kings 2:17](/1_kings/2-17 "1 Kings 2:17 - Adonijah's Sole Request")). Bathsheba may not have immediately grasped the profound political implications of marrying a former attendant of King David, which could be interpreted as a claim to the throne. She might have trusted in Solomon's wisdom to discern the true nature of the request, or perhaps she simply felt compassion for Adonijah, who was her stepson and a defeated rival.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 2:18 depicts a moment of human intrigue and a mother's intercession that inadvertently sets the stage for judgment, it ultimately points to the perfect, divine intercession and the absolute, righteous kingship of Jesus Christ. Bathsheba's role as an intermediary, though flawed in its outcome here, foreshadows the ultimate intercessor, [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession"). Unlike Bathsheba, whose understanding was limited, Christ perfectly discerns the hearts and motives of all, and His intercession before the Father is always righteous and effective, securing salvation for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession for Believers")). Furthermore, Solomon's swift and wise judgment in consolidating his kingdom against a false claimant ([1 Kings 2:22-25](/1_kings/2-22 "1 Kings 2:22-25 - Solomon's Decisive Judgment")) prefigures Christ's perfect wisdom and His ultimate triumph over all rival claims to His eternal throne. Just as Adonijah's ambition was decisively crushed, all who oppose Christ's rightful reign will ultimately be subdued, and His kingdom, unlike Solomon's, will have no end ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Christ's Eternal Kingdom"); [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's Kingdom")). This passage, therefore, highlights the need for a King whose wisdom is infallible and whose authority is unchallengeable, a reality perfectly embodied in the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Proverbs 14:15

¶ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.