1 Kings 1:2

“Wherefore his servants said unto him, etc.] His physicians; so Joseph’s physicians are called his servants, (<015002>Genesis 50:2); let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin; not only a young woman, but a virgin, that has more natural heat than women that have bore children have, which is abated thereby: and let her stand before the king: minister to him, serve him with whatsoever he should want to eat or drink; and so by being in his presence, and taking things at her hand, she might be the more ingratiated into his affections: and let her cherish him; as the husband the wife, so she her husband, as doubtless David was; and that by giving him cordials to cheer his spirits, and…”

“Since the Jewish law allowed polygamy, David’s conduct in following - what has been said to have been - physician’s advice, was blameless. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Servants - His physicians. Virgin - Whose natural heat is fresh and wholesome, and not impaired with bearing or breeding of children. The same counsel doth Galen give for the cure of some cold and dry distempers. Stand - That is, minister unto him, or wait upon him, in his sickness, as occasion requires. Lie in his bosom - As his wife: for that she was so, may appear by divers arguments. First, otherwise this had been a wicked course; which therefore neither his servants durst have prescribed, nor would David have used, especially being now in a dying condition. Secondly, it appears from this phrase of lying in his bosom, which is everywhere in scripture mentioned as the privilege of a wife.…”

“Let there be sought: Heb. Let them seek a young virgin: Heb. a damsel, a virgin. stand. Deu 10:8; Sa1 16:21, Sa1 16:22; Ch2 29:11 cherish him: Heb. be a cherisher unto him lie: Gen 16:5; Deu 13:6; Sa2 12:3; Mic 7:5 get heat: Ecc 4:11 3 Kings (1 Kings) 1:3”