Adonijah replied, "Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife." Adonijah repliedAdonijah, the son of King David and Haggith, had previously attempted to claim the throne of Israel before Solomon was anointed king. His reply here is part of a strategic move following his failed bid for kingship. In the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, the request he is about to make carries significant political implications. Please speak to King Solomon
Adonijah approaches Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to intercede on his behalf. This reflects the cultural practice of using influential intermediaries to make requests to a king. Bathsheba's position as the queen mother gives her a unique status and influence in the royal court, which Adonijah hopes to leverage. since he will not turn you down
Adonijah assumes that Solomon will honor a request made by his mother, Bathsheba. This assumption is based on the respect and authority typically afforded to the queen mother in the royal hierarchy. It also reflects Adonijah's understanding of familial dynamics and the potential influence Bathsheba holds over Solomon. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife
Abishag was a young woman who served King David in his old age, providing him with warmth and care. Although she was not David's wife, her association with the king gives her a status that could be seen as a claim to the throne. In the ancient Near East, taking a former king's concubine or attendant could be interpreted as a claim to his throne. Adonijah's request is thus politically charged, as marrying Abishag could be seen as an attempt to legitimize his previous claim to kingship. This request is reminiscent of Absalom's actions in 2 Samuel 16:21-22, where he took his father David's concubines to assert his claim to the throne. Persons / Places / Events 1. AdonijahThe son of King David who previously attempted to claim the throne before Solomon was anointed king. His request for Abishag is seen as a political maneuver. 2. BathshebaThe mother of Solomon, approached by Adonijah to intercede on his behalf with King Solomon. 3. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, who was established as king over Israel. Known for his wisdom, Solomon's response to Adonijah's request is pivotal. 4. Abishag the ShunammiteA young woman who served King David in his old age. Her association with David makes her a significant figure in the royal court. 5. The Royal Court of IsraelThe setting for this political intrigue, highlighting the complexities of succession and power dynamics in ancient Israel. Teaching Points Understanding MotivesAdonijah's request for Abishag was not merely personal but had political implications. In our lives, we should discern the motives behind our requests and actions, ensuring they align with God's will. The Role of IntercessionBathsheba's role as an intercessor highlights the importance of seeking wise counsel and mediation in resolving conflicts. We are called to be intercessors in prayer for others. Wisdom in LeadershipSolomon's response to Adonijah's request demonstrates the need for wisdom and discernment in leadership. As Christians, we are called to seek God's wisdom in our decisions. Guarding Against ManipulationThe account warns against the subtlety of manipulation and the importance of being vigilant against those who may seek to exploit situations for personal gain. The Significance of RelationshipsThe relationships between the characters in this passage remind us of the importance of maintaining integrity and trust in our relationships, especially within families and communities. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Adonijah's request reveal about his character and intentions, and how can we apply this understanding to discern the intentions of others in our lives? 2. How does Bathsheba's role as an intercessor inform our understanding of the power and responsibility of intercessory prayer in our spiritual lives? 3. In what ways does Solomon's handling of Adonijah's request demonstrate the application of wisdom, and how can we seek God's wisdom in our own leadership roles? 4. How can we guard against manipulation in our personal and professional relationships, and what biblical principles can guide us in maintaining integrity? 5. Reflect on the significance of relationships in this passage. How can we apply these lessons to strengthen our relationships within our families and communities? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 1Provides context for Adonijah's previous attempt to usurp the throne, setting the stage for his request in 1 Kings 2:17. 2 Samuel 16Relates to the concept of royal concubines and their political significance, as seen in the actions of Absalom, another son of David. Proverbs 1:8-9Written by Solomon, these verses emphasize the importance of heeding parental wisdom, which is relevant to the dynamics between Solomon, Bathsheba, and Adonijah. People Abiathar, Abishag, Abner, Absalom, Achish, Adonijah, Amasa, Anathoth, Barzillai, Bathsheba, Benaiah, David, Eli, Gera, Haggith, Jehoiada, Jether, Joab, Maacah, Maachah, Ner, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, ShilohTopics Abishag, Ab'ishag, Face, Nay, Please, Refuse, Request, Shunamite, Shunammite, Shu'nammite, Solomon, Speak, Turn, Wife, You'noDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:12-25 5119 Solomon, life of Library The Horns of the Altar
WE MUST tell you the story. Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to steal a march upon dying David, and set up Adonijah. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomn permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father...
11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:" believe. By sitting, understand dwelling: as [in Latin] we say of any person, "In that country he dwelt (sedit) three years." The Scripture also has that expression, that such an one dwelt (sedisse) in a city for such a time. [1791] Not meaning that he sat and never rose up? On this account the dwellings of men are called seats (sedes). [1792] Where people are seated (in this sense), are they always sitting? Is …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Angels have Bodies Naturally United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that angels have bodies naturally united to them. For Origen says (Peri Archon i): "It is God's attribute alone---that is, it belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as a property of nature, that He is understood to exist without any material substance and without any companionship of corporeal addition." Bernard likewise says (Hom. vi. super Cant.): "Let us assign incorporeity to God alone even as we do immortality, whose nature alone, neither for its own sake …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Natural Law Can be Changed?
Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be changed. Because on Ecclus. 17:9, "He gave them instructions, and the law of life," the gloss says: "He wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature." But that which is corrected is changed. Therefore the natural law can be changed. Objection 2: Further, the slaying of the innocent, adultery, and theft are against the natural law. But we find these things changed by God: as when God commanded Abraham to slay …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
Text: 1 Peter 3, 8-15. 8 Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 2:17 NIV1 Kings 2:17 NLT1 Kings 2:17 ESV1 Kings 2:17 NASB1 Kings 2:17 KJV
1 Kings 2:17 Commentaries
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