KJV ORIGINAL
And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The young woman was very beautiful, and she cared for the king and served his needs, but the king did not have intimate relations with her.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse describes how a beautiful young woman served and cared for the aging King David, but their relationship remained purely one of caretaking.
📚 Historical Context
This refers to Abishag the Shunammite, who was brought to care for the elderly King David in his final days when he could no longer stay warm. In ancient times, it was common practice to find young attendants to serve aging rulers, and the text emphasizes that despite her beauty and close care, David remained celibate in his old age.
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