1 Kings 1:16 kjv
And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?
1 Kings 1:16 nkjv
And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, "What is your wish?"
1 Kings 1:16 niv
Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king. "What is it you want?" the king asked.
1 Kings 1:16 esv
Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, "What do you desire?"
1 Kings 1:16 nlt
Bathsheba bowed down before the king. "What can I do for you?" he asked her.
1 Kings 1 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:2 | He looked up and saw three men standing nearby... He bowed to the ground. | Abraham showing respect to heavenly visitors. |
| Gen 33:3 | ...and he himself went on ahead, bowing to the ground seven times... | Jacob's reverence before Esau. |
| Ruth 2:10 | At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground... | Ruth's humility before Boaz. |
| 1 Sam 24:8 | ...David came out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" Then Saul looked behind him, and David bowed down and prostrated himself... | David's profound respect for Saul despite conflict. |
| 2 Sam 9:6 | When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. | Respect shown to King David. |
| 1 Chr 29:20 | ...they bowed down and paid homage to the Lord and to the king. | Joint reverence for God and the king. |
| Psa 95:6 | Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. | Instruction to bow in worship to God. |
| Isa 45:23 | By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow... | Prophecy of universal submission to God. |
| Phil 2:10 | ...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth... | Universal reverence for Christ. |
| Esth 4:11 | "All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends his gold scepter to them and spares their lives..." | Illustrates the protocol and danger of approaching the king. |
| Esth 5:2 | When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she pleased him and he held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. | King's acceptance through extending the scepter. |
| Prov 16:15 | When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. | Significance of a king's disposition. |
| Matt 7:7-8 | "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." | Principle of making requests. |
| Lk 11:5-8 | Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight... Even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless persistence he will surely get up and give you as much as you need." | The power of persistent petition. |
| Matt 14:33 | Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." | Act of bowing and worship toward Jesus. |
| Mk 10:35-36 | Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. | Jesus' question to a petitioner. |
| Mk 10:51 | "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." | Jesus' question leading to healing. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. | Contrast to earthly kings; direct access to God. |
| 1 Ki 1:13 | Go in at once to King David and say to him, 'Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant: "Surely Solomon your son shall reign after me..."?' | Nathan's instruction for Bathsheba's petition. |
| 1 Ki 1:1-4 | King David was old and advanced in years... they put a young woman named Abishag the Shunammite, and she cared for the king... | Context of David's advanced age and weakness. |
| 1 Chr 22:9-10 | He will be a man of peace and quietness... I will grant Israel peace... I will make him secure... Solomon your son shall build my house... | Prophecy and David's preparation for Solomon's reign. |
1 Kings 1 verses
1 Kings 1 16 Meaning
1 Kings 1:16 describes the ceremonial entrance of Bathsheba into King David's presence. Her actions of bowing and doing obeisance signify deep reverence, humility, and submission to the king's authority and dignity. This respectful posture was standard protocol when approaching a monarch, especially when intending to make an urgent and significant request. David's immediate and open question, "What wouldest thou?" indicates his attentiveness and willingness to hear her plea, setting the stage for her petition regarding the succession to the throne.
1 Kings 1 16 Context
This verse is situated at a critical juncture in David's life and the history of the monarchy in Israel, at the opening of the first book of Kings. King David is described as very old and physically frail (1 Ki 1:1), indicating a power vacuum. His eldest surviving son, Adonijah, has presumptuously declared himself king without David's consent (1 Ki 1:5-10). The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, recognize the immediate danger this poses to David's sworn promise that Solomon would succeed him (1 Ki 1:11-13). Nathan advises Bathsheba to present herself to David and remind him of his oath, promising that he would follow to corroborate her account. This specific verse, 1 Kings 1:16, describes Bathsheba's entry and the commencement of her petition to the aged King David. It highlights the established court etiquette and the dynamics between the queen mother (or prominent wife) and the monarch in ancient Near Eastern courts.
1 Kings 1 16 Word analysis
- And: waw (וּ), a common conjunction, connecting this action with the preceding context of Bathsheba entering the king's chamber and Nathan's instructions.
- Bathsheba: The mother of Solomon, one of King David's prominent wives, whose pivotal role is about to unfold in securing Solomon's succession. Her presence is politically charged.
- bowed: Hebrew: va-tiš·ta·ḥu (ותשתחו) - from the root šāḥāh (שחה), meaning "to bow down," "prostrate oneself." This indicates an act of profound respect, submission, and often supplication. It implies placing the body low, even face to the ground, before a superior. This was standard royal court protocol.
- and did obeisance: This phrase reinforces the act of bowing, emphasizing the honor and deep respect shown. While somewhat redundant in English, it stresses the full demonstration of reverence and acknowledging David's sovereign authority. In Hebrew, it's often encompassed within the extensive meaning of šāḥāh, which implies the full act of veneration or homage.
- unto the king: Hebrew: el ha-melek (אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ). This specifies the recipient of Bathsheba's veneration – David, the reigning monarch. Despite his advanced age and infirmity, his regal status remained.
- And the king: David, still holding ultimate authority, though his physical state suggests otherwise. His responsiveness demonstrates his retained faculty of mind and judgment, which is crucial for the events that follow.
- said: Hebrew: vay·yō·mer (וַיֹּאמֶר) - a common verb meaning "to speak" or "to say," indicating David's immediate response and engagement.
- What wouldest thou?: Hebrew: Ma-lak (מַה־לָּךְ) - literally "What (is) to/for you?" or "What do you have?" This idiomatic expression is a polite inquiry into the visitor's purpose or desire. It signifies an openness to hear the request or concern of the person approaching, signaling permission to speak. It is an invitation to state one's petition directly.
1 Kings 1 16 Bonus section
- The setting: Bathsheba likely found David in his inner chamber or bed-chamber, as he was in poor health and covered by blankets (1 Ki 1:1-4). Her ability to directly access him, despite his frailty, underscores her privileged position within the royal household, reflecting her status as a primary wife and mother of a contender for the throne.
- The cultural practice of "obeisance" was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It was not just a formality but an act conveying genuine respect, humility, and sometimes fear of a sovereign's power. Its absence would have been seen as gross disrespect, possibly leading to dire consequences.
- The repetition of "bowed" and "did obeisance" in the Hebrew text (using variants of šāḥāh) reinforces the deep level of respect and prostration shown. This emphasizes that Bathsheba was performing the complete, proper protocol for a subject addressing her king.
1 Kings 1 16 Commentary
This verse is deceptively simple yet profoundly significant. Bathsheba's humble prostration before King David is more than mere etiquette; it is an acknowledgment of royal authority, a necessary precursor to an impactful petition. In the ancient world, direct, respectful protocol was essential when approaching monarchs, symbolizing submission and giving the petitioner permission to speak. David's question, "What wouldest thou?", while routine for a king receiving visitors, signals his availability and willingness to listen, which is critical given his frail state. It indicates he is still mentally capable and holds power. This interaction immediately sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of the succession crisis, where a seemingly frail king will make a pivotal decision affecting the future of Israel. It showcases that even in his weakness, David's word carried weight and required proper solemn approach, emphasizing that true kingship involves the willingness to hear and respond to petitions from one's subjects, regardless of the king's physical condition.