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1 Kings 1:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 1:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?
1 Kings 1:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
19and he hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host; but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
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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 bowed, and did obeisance to the king, etc.] Not only as being her husband, but her sovereign; and this behaviour might intimate, that she had something to say to him, and more than to inquire of his health: and the king said, wouldest thou? what hast thou to say to me? or to ask of me? what is thy will and pleasure, or thine errand to me?”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Bath-sheba bowed, like the woman of Tekoah 2 Samuel 14:4, with the humble prostration of a suppliant. Hence, the king’s question, “What wouldest thou?” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“bowed: Kg1 1:23; Sa1 20:41, Sa1 24:8, Sa1 25:23 And the: Kg1 2:20; Est 7:2; Mat 20:21, Mat 20:32 What wouldest thou: Heb. What to thee 3 Kings (1 Kings) 1:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification