1 Kings 2:17 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And he said, 'Please speak to King Solomon for me (because he won't refuse you) and ask him to let me marry Abishag from Shunem.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Adonijah is asking Bathsheba to request that Solomon allow him to marry Abishag, David's former caregiver, believing Solomon won't deny his mother's request.

📚 Historical Context

This occurs shortly after Solomon became king, when his half-brother Adonijah (who had previously tried to claim the throne) approaches Bathsheba with this request. Abishag had been brought to care for the aging King David in his final days, and marrying a former king's companion could be seen as a political move to legitimize a claim to the throne.

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1 Kings 2:21

And she said, 'Let Adonijah your brother marry Abishag the Shunammite.'

1 Kings 2:22

King Solomon answered his mother, 'Why are you asking for Abishag the Shunammite to be given to Adonijah? You might as well ask for the kingdom to be given to him too, since he's my older brother! And while you're at it, ask for Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah to be given power as well.'

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