Widows: Intermarrying With, of Kings Considered Treason
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In the biblical context, the status and treatment of widows hold significant importance, reflecting broader themes of justice, mercy, and social order. The intermarriage with widows, particularly those connected to royal lines, is a subject that intertwines with issues of loyalty, power, and covenant fidelity.

Intermarriage with Widows:

The Old Testament provides various laws and narratives concerning widows, emphasizing their protection and care within the community. However, the intermarriage with widows, especially those of royal descent, carries additional implications. In ancient Israel, marriage was not merely a personal union but a covenantal act with social and political ramifications. Marrying a widow of a king could be perceived as an attempt to claim or legitimize a right to the throne, thereby challenging the established order.

Biblical Example:

A notable example is found in the narrative of Adonijah, the son of King David. After David's death, Adonijah sought to marry Abishag the Shunammite, a young woman who had served David in his old age. Although Abishag was not technically a widow, her close association with the deceased king placed her in a similar category. Solomon, David's successor, interpreted Adonijah's request as a political maneuver to strengthen his claim to the throne. In 1 Kings 2:22 , Solomon responds, "Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him—after all, he is my older brother—yes, for him and for Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah!"

Solomon's reaction underscores the perception that marrying a woman associated with the former king could be tantamount to treason, as it might imply a challenge to the current king's authority. This incident illustrates the potential threat such marriages posed to the stability of the monarchy and the continuity of the Davidic line.

Cultural and Theological Implications:

From a cultural perspective, the intermarriage with royal widows was fraught with political tension. It was not merely a personal decision but one that could alter the balance of power. Theologically, the issue reflects the broader biblical concern for maintaining the divinely ordained order and the sanctity of God's covenant with David. The monarchy in Israel was not just a political institution but a theological one, with the king serving as God's anointed representative.

The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the need for loyalty to God's chosen leaders and the dangers of actions that could undermine this divine order. Marrying a widow of a king, therefore, was not just a personal or familial matter but one with profound implications for the nation's covenant relationship with God.

In summary, the intermarriage with widows, particularly those connected to the royal family, was a complex issue in ancient Israel, laden with political and theological significance. It was considered an act that could potentially disrupt the divinely established order, and as such, was often viewed as treasonous.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 2:21-24
And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother to wife.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Resources
Should a Christian go on welfare? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about feeding the hungry? | GotQuestions.org

What does Jesus want us to learn from what He said about the widow's mite? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Widows

Widows Remarrying

Widows were Clothed in Mourning After the Decease of Husbands

Widows were Frequently Oppressed and Persecuted

Widows were Released from all Obligation to Former Husbands

Widows were Under the Special Protection of God

Widows: A Desolate Condition

Widows: A Type of Zion in Affliction

Widows: Allowed to Marry Again

Widows: Blessings on Those Who Relieve

Widows: Character of True

Widows: Curse for Perverting Judgment of

Widows: Exhorted to Trust in God

Widows: God: Establishes the Border of

Widows: God: Judges For

Widows: God: Relieves

Widows: God: Surely Hears the Cry of

Widows: God: Will Witness Against Oppressors of

Widows: Great Liberality In

Widows: Increase of, Threatened As a Punishment

Widows: Intermarrying With, of Kings Considered Treason

Widows: Laws Respecting: Bound to Perform Their Vows

Widows: Laws Respecting: Not to be Oppressed

Widows: Laws Respecting: Not to Intermarry With Priests

Widows: Laws Respecting: Raiment of, not to be Taken in Pledge by Creditors

Widows: Laws Respecting: To be Allowed to Glean in Fields and Vineyards

Widows: Laws Respecting: To Have a Share of the Triennial Tithe

Widows: Laws Respecting: To Share in Public Rejoicings

Widows: Laws Respecting: when Daughters of Priests and Childless to Partake of The

Widows: Laws Respecting: when Left Childless, to be Married by Their Husband's

Widows: Not to be Deplored By, Considered a Great Calamity

Widows: Often Devoted Themselves Entirely to God's Service

Widows: Reproach Connected With

Widows: Saints: Cause Joy To

Widows: Saints: Disappoint Not

Widows: Saints: Relieve

Widows: should be Allowed to Share in Our Blessings

Widows: should be Honored, If Widows Indeed

Widows: should be Pleaded For

Widows: should be Relieved by the Church

Widows: should be Relieved by Their Friends

Widows: should be Visited in Affliction

Widows: should not Be: Afflicted

Widows: should not Be: Deprived of Raiment in Pledge

Widows: should not Be: Oppressed

Widows: should not Be: Treated With Violence

Widows: Specially Taken Care of by the Church

Widows: The Wicked: do No Good To

Widows: The Wicked: Make a Prey of

Widows: The Wicked: Reject the Cause of

Widows: The Wicked: Send, Away Empty

Widows: The Wicked: Slay

Widows: The Wicked: Take Pledges From

Widows: The Wicked: Vex

Widows: Though Poor, May be Liberal

Widows: when Young, Exposed to May Temptations

Widows: Woe to Those Who Oppress

Widows: Zion in Captivity

Related Terms

Nain (1 Occurrence)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Debt (48 Occurrences)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Elijah (104 Occurrences)

Intercession (12 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Widows (33 Occurrences)

Clothes (208 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Uproot (17 Occurrences)

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

Orphan's (1 Occurrence)

Orphans (12 Occurrences)

Loan (9 Occurrences)

Lazarus (19 Occurrences)

Wrest (8 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Weed (3 Occurrences)

Intact (3 Occurrences)

Debtor (7 Occurrences)

Mite (1 Occurrence)

Penury (4 Occurrences)

Pervert (18 Occurrences)

Perishing (24 Occurrences)

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

Sickness (40 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Slave (148 Occurrences)

Width (58 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Sing (147 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Cloak (73 Occurrences)

Root (54 Occurrences)

Donkeys (71 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Foreigner (99 Occurrences)

Alien (102 Occurrences)

Clothing (288 Occurrences)

Judging (141 Occurrences)

Donkey (84 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Garment (143 Occurrences)

Upright (392 Occurrences)

Borders (104 Occurrences)

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)

Drive (132 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Ass (95 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Song (207 Occurrences)

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Christ (573 Occurrences)

Widows: Increase of, Threatened As a Punishment
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