1 Kings 2:19

Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.

Bathsheba {H1339} therefore went {H935} unto king {H4428} Solomon {H8010}, to speak {H1696} unto him for Adonijah {H138}. And the king {H4428} rose up {H6965} to meet {H7125} her, and bowed {H7812} himself unto her, and sat down {H3427} on his throne {H3678}, and caused a seat {H3678} to be set {H7760} for the king's {H4428} mother {H517}; and she sat {H3427} on his right hand {H3225}.

So Bat-Sheva went to King Shlomo to speak to him on behalf of Adoniyah. The king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat down on his throne and had a throne set up for the king's mother, so that she sat at his right.

So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.

Bath-sheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a throne to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.

Commentary

Context

This verse is a crucial moment in the consolidation of King Solomon's reign, immediately following the death of his father, King David. Adonijah, David's fourth son, had previously attempted to usurp the throne before David's passing (see 1 Kings 1:5). Despite being spared by Solomon (1 Kings 1:53), Adonijah now makes a seemingly innocent request to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, asking her to intercede for him to obtain Abishag the Shunammite (David's former concubine) as his wife (1 Kings 2:17). This request was far from innocent; in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, taking possession of the former king's concubines was a symbolic act of claiming royal succession and authority. Bathsheba, perhaps unaware of the full implications, agrees to present Adonijah's petition to her son, Solomon.

Key Themes

  • The Authority and Respect for the Queen Mother: Solomon's actions—rising, bowing, and seating Bathsheba at his right hand—demonstrate the immense honor and significant political influence held by the "Gebirah" or queen mother in the ancient Israelite court. Her position was unique and often carried considerable weight, providing access to the king that others did not possess.
  • Solomon's Filial Piety and Royal Dignity: While showing profound respect for his mother, Solomon also maintains his regal authority. His gracious reception of Bathsheba sets the stage for his later, decisive action, highlighting his ability to balance personal relationships with the demands of kingship and the need to protect his throne.
  • The Unfolding of Dynastic Stability: This interaction is a critical step in Solomon's process of securing his reign and ensuring the stability of the kingdom promised to David's lineage. The seemingly simple request from Adonijah becomes the final catalyst for Solomon to eliminate a persistent threat to his rule.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sat on his right hand" carries profound significance. In many ancient cultures, including Israel, the right hand symbolized power, honor, and authority. To be seated at the king's right hand was the highest position of privilege and favor. Solomon's gesture was a public declaration of Bathsheba's elevated status, not just as his mother, but as the revered queen mother, second only to the king himself in terms of honor.

Practical Application

The narrative of 1 Kings 2:19 offers several practical insights for believers today:

  • Honoring Parents and Authority: Solomon's respectful treatment of his mother, even as the reigning king, serves as a powerful example of the biblical command to honor parents (Exodus 20:12). It reminds us that respect for those in authority, especially within the family, is a foundational virtue.
  • Discerning True Intentions: The underlying plot by Adonijah, masked by a seemingly innocuous request, highlights the importance of spiritual discernment. Believers are encouraged to pray for wisdom and insight to understand hidden motives and to distinguish between appearance and reality (Hebrews 5:14).
  • God's Sovereignty in Leadership: Despite human scheming and political maneuvering, God's plan for the succession of the throne to Solomon prevailed. This passage reinforces the truth that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and appointments, guiding events according to His divine will.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 45:9

    Kings' daughters [were] among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

  • Leviticus 19:3

    Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Exodus 20:12

    ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

  • Leviticus 19:32

    Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.

  • Psalms 110:1

    ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • 1 Kings 15:13

    And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt [it] by the brook Kidron.

  • Matthew 25:33

    And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
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