1 Kings 2:22

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he [is] mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

And king {H4428} Solomon {H8010} answered {H6030} and said {H559} unto his mother {H517}, And why dost thou ask {H7592} Abishag {H49} the Shunammite {H7767} for Adonijah {H138}? ask {H7592} for him the kingdom {H4410} also; for he is mine elder {H1419} brother {H251}; even for him, and for Abiathar {H54} the priest {H3548}, and for Joab {H3097} the son {H1121} of Zeruiah {H6870}.

King Shlomo answered his mother, "Why are you asking Avishag the Shunamit for Adoniyah? Ask the kingdom for him too! After all, he's my older brother! Yes, for him, and for Evyatar the cohen and for Yo'av the son of Tz'ruyah!"

King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Kings 2:22 (KJV)

King Solomon's sharp reply to his mother Bathsheba in 1 Kings 2:22 reveals his profound discernment and understanding of the complex political landscape surrounding his newly established reign. This verse is a pivotal moment, showcasing Solomon's transition from a young successor to a decisive monarch.

Context

This verse follows a series of events after King David's long reign. Adonijah, David's elder surviving son, had previously attempted to seize the throne while David was still alive and frail (1 Kings 1:5). Despite Adonijah's failed coup and Solomon's subsequent anointing as king (1 Kings 1:39), he was initially spared by Solomon on the condition of good behavior (1 Kings 1:53).

Adonijah then approached Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, with a seemingly humble request: to be given Abishag the Shunammite as his wife. Abishag had been David's companion in his old age, though she was not his concubine in a sexual sense (1 Kings 1:3-4). Bathsheba, unaware of the deeper implications, agreed to present the request to Solomon (1 Kings 2:19).

Key Themes

  • Solomon's Discernment and Wisdom: Solomon immediately perceives the true nature of Adonijah's request. He understands that possessing a former king's concubine or companion was a symbolic act of claiming the throne and succession rights (as seen with Absalom in 2 Samuel 16:21). This swift and accurate assessment foreshadows the renowned wisdom God would later grant him (1 Kings 3:12).
  • Adonijah's Persistent Ambition: Despite being spared, Adonijah's desire for the kingship remains. His request for Abishag is a subtle but clear attempt to undermine Solomon's authority and renew his claim to the throne.
  • The Gravity of Royal Succession: The passage highlights the serious nature of royal power and the strictness required to maintain order and prevent usurpation. Any perceived challenge to the king's authority, no matter how indirect, was met with severe consequences.
  • The King's Authority: Solomon's response demonstrates his firm establishment as king. He will not tolerate challenges or plots against his reign, even from his elder brother.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase, "ask for him the kingdom also," underscores Solomon's keen understanding. He doesn't just see a request for a woman; he sees a demand for the very foundation of his rule. The connection Adonijah had with Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah—both powerful figures who had supported Adonijah's initial rebellion (1 Kings 1:7)—further confirms Solomon's suspicion that this was part of a larger, ongoing conspiracy.

Reflection and Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of discernment in leadership and in life. Solomon's ability to see beyond the surface of a request and understand its true motive prevented a potential crisis and secured his kingdom. For believers, it highlights the need for spiritual discernment (Hebrews 5:14) to recognize hidden motives or subtle temptations that might undermine our spiritual walk or the peace of our communities. It also illustrates the consequences of unchecked ambition and disloyalty, as Adonijah's persistent scheming ultimately led to his downfall (1 Kings 2:25), and the subsequent removal of Abiathar (1 Kings 2:26) and execution of Joab (1 Kings 2:34).

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

  • 1 Chronicles 3:2 (3 votes)

    The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:

  • Matthew 20:22 (2 votes)

    But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

  • James 4:3 (2 votes)

    Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:5 (2 votes)

    And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:

  • 1 Kings 1:5 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

  • 1 Kings 1:7 (2 votes)

    And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped [him].

  • 1 Kings 1:24 (2 votes)

    And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?