1 Kings 2:21

KJV

And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she said {H559}, Let Abishag {H49} the Shunammite {H7767} be given {H5414} to Adonijah {H138} thy brother {H251} to wife {H802}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She said, "Let Avishag the Shunamit be given to Adoniyah your brother as his wife."

Berean Standard Bible

So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”

American Standard Version

And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures a pivotal moment at the very beginning of King Solomon's reign, where his half-brother Adonijah, through their mother Bathsheba, requests permission to marry Abishag the Shunammite, who had served King David in his old age. What appears on the surface to be a simple domestic request is, in fact, a deeply calculated political maneuver by Adonijah to subtly assert a claim to the throne, which Solomon immediately discerns and decisively counters.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the death of King David and the tumultuous establishment of Solomon's kingship. The preceding chapter, [1 Kings 1](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings 1 - Adonijah's Failed Usurpation and Solomon's Anointing"), details Adonijah's initial, failed attempt to usurp the throne while David was still alive but frail. Solomon's anointing by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, at Bathsheba's urging, secured his position. [1 Kings 2](/1_kings/2 "1 Kings 2 - David's Charge to Solomon and Solomon's Consolidation of Power") opens with David's final charge to Solomon, emphasizing justice and loyalty. Adonijah's request in [1 Kings 2:21](/1_kings/2-21 "1 Kings 2:21 - Adonijah's Request for Abishag") is not an isolated incident but the final, desperate attempt by a rival claimant to undermine Solomon's authority, leading directly to Solomon's swift and firm consolidation of power, including the execution of Adonijah and other threats to his reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the harem of a deceased king was considered part of the royal inheritance. Marrying a former king's wife or concubine was a direct, symbolic act of claiming the throne and legitimacy of the previous monarch. This custom is famously illustrated by [Absalom's public act of taking his father David's concubines](/2_samuel/16-21 "2 Samuel 16:21 - Ahithophel's Counsel to Absalom") during his rebellion, which was advised by Ahithophel as a means to "make himself odious to his father" and demonstrate his claim to the kingship. Abishag the Shunammite, though not intimate with David ([1 Kings 1:4](/1_kings/1-4 "1 Kings 1:4 - Abishag's Service to King David")), was part of the royal household, chosen specifically to serve the king. Her association with David, even as a nurse, rendered her a symbol of the late king's personal property and, by extension, his royal authority. Adonijah's request, therefore, was not merely for a wife but for a symbol of royal succession, a subtle but potent challenge to Solomon's newly established reign.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Kings in Israel and Judah"). Firstly, it underscores the **nature of kingship and succession** in ancient Israel, revealing the intense political maneuvering and often ruthless consolidation of power required to secure the throne. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **discernment and wisdom**, as Solomon immediately perceives the hidden agenda behind Adonijah's seemingly innocent request, demonstrating the wisdom for which he would later become renowned ([1 Kings 3:9](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for an Understanding Heart")). Thirdly, it speaks to the theme of **divine sovereignty versus human ambition**, showing that while human actors scheme for power, God's chosen king ultimately prevails. Adonijah's persistent ambition ultimately leads to his downfall, serving as a stark warning against challenging God's established order.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abishag (Hebrew, _ʼĂbîyshag'_):** Her name, H49, derived from "father of error" or "blundering," points less to her character and more to the fateful outcome of this request. As "the Shunammite" (H7767), she hailed from Shunem, a town in Issachar. Her unique status stemmed from her role as David's attendant in his final days ([1 Kings 1:1-4](/1_kings/1-1-4 "1 Kings 1:1-4 - Abishag's Role as David's Attendant")), which placed her in intimate proximity to the royal person. Though not a traditional concubine, her association with the king made her a highly symbolic figure, a de facto part of the royal household, and thus, a sensitive political asset.
* **given (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This verb, H5414, meaning "to give," "to place," or "to grant," is used here in the passive voice ("be given"). Bathsheba's phrasing implies a simple transaction or permission, framing it as a benign request for a marital arrangement. However, in the context of royal succession, the act of "giving" or receiving such a person carried immense political weight, signifying the transfer of legitimacy or a claim to the previous king's authority. Its broad semantic range underscores the various ways power and authority can be transferred or perceived.
* **wife (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** The word H802, meaning "woman" or "wife," when combined with the preposition "to" (Hebrew _l_), clearly indicates a marital union. The simplicity of the phrase "to wife" belies the profound political implications. It is not merely about a woman; it is about the status that marriage to her would confer upon Adonijah, implicitly linking him to the deceased king's legacy and, by extension, to the throne. This seemingly domestic request was, in fact, a direct challenge to Solomon's newly established authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said,"**: This refers to Bathsheba, King Solomon's mother. Her role as an intercessor for Adonijah is significant, as she had previously been instrumental in securing Solomon's own ascent to the throne. Her willingness to present this request suggests either a genuine naivete regarding its true implications or a desperate attempt to appease Adonijah, perhaps out of fear or a misguided sense of compassion.
* **"Let Abishag the Shunammite be given"**: This is the core of the request. Abishag's identity as David's former attendant is crucial. The passive construction "be given" places the decision squarely in Solomon's hands, making it appear as a humble petition rather than a demand. The very act of asking for "the Shunammite" rather than any other woman highlights the symbolic nature of the request.
* **"to Adonijah thy brother"**: Bathsheba emphasizes the familial relationship ("thy brother"), perhaps hoping to appeal to Solomon's sense of kinship and soften any potential resistance. This phrasing attempts to normalize the request, framing it as a brotherly gesture rather than a political challenge, subtly attempting to leverage Solomon's affection or obligation.
* **"to wife."**: This specifies the nature of the desired relationship. The marriage to Abishag, a woman associated with the former king, would symbolically transfer a measure of David's royal authority and legitimacy to Adonijah, making him a viable contender for the throne in the eyes of many. It was the final, critical piece of Adonijah's calculated move.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony**, as Bathsheba's seemingly innocent and domestic request masks a profound political challenge. Her words, intended to secure a wife for Adonijah, unwittingly become the catalyst for his demise, demonstrating the **dramatic irony** between her stated intention and the actual outcome. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is central, with Abishag herself serving as a potent symbol of David's royal authority and legacy. Her person becomes a contested object, representing the very throne of Israel. The conciseness of the verse also contributes to its dramatic effect, creating a moment of **suspense** as the reader anticipates Solomon's reaction to this loaded request, which ultimately serves as a **foreshadowing** of Solomon's decisive and often ruthless actions to consolidate his power and eliminate all threats to his reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple request for a wife unveils the complex interplay between human ambition, political maneuvering, and divine sovereignty in the establishment of kingship. It highlights the importance of discernment, not just in matters of state, but in all areas of life, recognizing that intentions are not always as they appear. Solomon's immediate grasp of the hidden agenda behind Adonijah's request underscores the value of wisdom in leadership, a wisdom he would famously seek and receive from God. The narrative serves as a powerful reminder that while human beings may scheme and contend for power, ultimately, God's purposes prevail, and those who oppose His chosen instruments do so to their own peril.

* [Proverbs 4:7](/proverbs/4-7 "Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is the Principal Thing")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The request in 1 Kings 2:21 serves as a profound lesson in discernment, urging us to look beyond the surface of situations and requests to understand the true motives at play. In our personal lives, we often encounter situations where seemingly innocent proposals or actions might harbor hidden agendas, whether in relationships, business, or even within the church. This passage challenges us to cultivate spiritual wisdom, asking God for the insight to perceive the underlying intentions of others and to guard against being unwitting pawns in someone else's schemes. It also reminds us of the importance of protecting what God has entrusted to us, whether it's our spiritual walk, our family, or our sphere of influence, by being vigilant against subtle attempts to undermine or usurp. Solomon's firm response, though severe, highlights the necessity of decisive action when faced with clear threats to established order or divine purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we cultivate spiritual discernment to recognize hidden motives in seemingly innocent requests or situations in our own lives?**
* **What are some modern-day equivalents of "Abishag requests" – situations where something appears benign but carries significant, perhaps negative, implications?**
* **How do we balance compassion and caution when dealing with individuals who may have veiled agendas?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to exercise greater vigilance and decisive action to protect what God has entrusted to you?**

### FAQ
**Why was marrying a former king's concubine or attendant such a significant political act in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, a king's harem or concubines were considered part of his royal property and symbols of his authority and legacy. Upon his death, control over these women often passed to his successor. Therefore, for anyone else to marry or claim a woman who had been intimately associated with the former king was a direct, symbolic act of claiming the previous king's throne and legitimacy. It was a public declaration of one's right to succeed the deceased monarch. This is famously illustrated by [Absalom's public act of taking his father David's concubines](/2_samuel/16-21 "2 Samuel 16:21 - Ahithophel's Counsel to Absalom") during his rebellion, which was advised as a way to make his claim to the throne undeniable and irreversible. Adonijah's request for Abishag, who had served King David, was therefore not a personal romantic desire but a calculated political maneuver to assert his claim to the kingship, even after Solomon had been established.

**Was Bathsheba truly naive to the implications of Adonijah's request, or was she complicit in his scheme?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly state Bathsheba's full awareness, most scholars lean towards her being genuinely naive or, at the very least, underestimating the profound political implications of Adonijah's request. Bathsheba had been instrumental in securing Solomon's ascent to the throne ([1 Kings 1:11-31](/1_kings/1-11 "1 Kings 1:11 - Nathan and Bathsheba's Plan")), and it would be highly illogical for her to knowingly participate in a scheme that would undermine her own son's reign and potentially put her own life in jeopardy, as Solomon's reaction clearly indicates. Adonijah likely exploited her maternal compassion and perhaps her lingering guilt or sympathy for him as David's son, presenting the request in a way that seemed innocuous ("he is my brother," [1 Kings 2:22](/1_kings/2-22 "1 Kings 2:22 - Solomon's Response to Bathsheba")). Solomon's response to Bathsheba, while firm, does not accuse her of complicity, but rather of being an unwitting pawn in Adonijah's final, desperate attempt to seize power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The political intrigue and struggle for the throne in [1 Kings 2:21](/1_kings/2-21 "1 Kings 2:21 - Adonijah's Request for Abishag"), culminating in Solomon's decisive and often violent consolidation of power, ultimately point to the superior and perfectly established kingship of Jesus Christ. Solomon's wisdom, which allowed him to discern Adonijah's hidden agenda, foreshadows the perfect and infallible discernment of Christ, who knows the hearts and intentions of all men ([Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "The Word of God is Living and Active")). While Solomon's reign began with the elimination of rivals and the shedding of blood to secure his earthly kingdom, Christ's kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")), established not by human maneuvering or violence, but by divine appointment and His atoning sacrifice. Jesus is the true Son of David, the rightful heir to an eternal throne, whose authority is unchallenged and whose reign brings true peace and justice, unlike the temporary and often turbulent reigns of earthly kings. His kingdom is secured by divine decree, not by the execution of rivals, and His wisdom far surpasses that of Solomon, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Christ, in Whom are Hidden Treasures of Wisdom")). He is the King who perfectly discerns and justly rules, ultimately bringing all opposition to naught, not through earthly force, but through His divine power and righteous judgment ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "The Rider on the White Horse and the Defeat of God's Enemies")).

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

2 Samuel 16:21

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that [are] with thee be strong.

2 Samuel 16:22

So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

1 Kings 1:3

So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.