BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Kings› Chapter 1› Verse 15

1 Kings 1:15

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 1:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering unto the king.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering unto the king.
1 Kings 1:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
13Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
14Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
15And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering unto the king.
16And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?
17And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by Jehovah thy God unto thy handmaid, [saying], Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
18And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not:
← 1 Kings 1:141 Kings 1:16 →
← Full Chapter 1 1 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber, etc.] Where he lay, being bedridden; she took Nathan’s advice, and directly went to the king’s apartment: and the king was very old: and decrepit, borne down with the infirmities of old age, though but seventy years of age: and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king; she was then waiting upon the king, and serving him with what was necessary and proper for him; and perhaps there was no other in the chamber at that time.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Into the chamber - The “bed-chamber” or “inner chamber.” Abishag was a disinterested witness present, who heard all that Bath-sheba said to David. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“very old: Kg1 1:2-4 3 Kings (1 Kings) 1:16”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification