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1 Kings 2:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 2:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Kings 2:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
15And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother`s; for it was his from Jehovah.
16And now I ask one petition of thee; deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.
17And 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.
18And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.
19Bath-sheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a throne to be set for the king`s mother; and she sat on his right hand.
20Then she said, I ask one small petition of thee; deny me not. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny thee.
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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 he said, speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, etc.] He owns him to be king, and which he the rather did to engage her to take his suit in hand, and to cover his design: for he will not say thee nay; or turn away thy face, or deny thy request; she being his mother, for whom he had a great affection, and to whom he was under obligation on all accounts: that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife; which was contrary to the law of God, (<031808>Leviticus 18:8); which surely Adonijah must have been ignorant of, and Bathsheba likewise; or the one would never have made such a request, nor the other have undertaken to try to obtain it; but perhaps they did not take her to be David’s…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Abishag: Kg1 1:2-4; Sa2 3:7, Sa2 12:8 3 Kings (1 Kings) 2:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification