1 Kings 2 16

1 Kings 2:16 kjv

And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.

1 Kings 2:16 nkjv

Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me." And she said to him, "Say it."

1 Kings 2:16 niv

Now I have one request to make of you. Do not refuse me." "You may make it," she said.

1 Kings 2:16 esv

And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me." She said to him, "Speak."

1 Kings 2:16 nlt

So now I have just one favor to ask of you. Please don't turn me down." "What is it?" she asked.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 16 Meaning

1 Kings 2:16 records Adonijah's plea to Bathsheba, seeking her intervention with King Solomon. His statement, "Now therefore, I ask one petition of thee; deny me not," is a carefully crafted expression. It aims to appear humble and respectful, acknowledging Bathsheba's powerful position as the Queen Mother, while deceptively framing his subsequent request as a singular, seemingly simple, and personal matter. In reality, this "one petition" subtly masked a significant political maneuver to rekindle his claim to the throne or, at the very least, undermine Solomon's newly established authority.

1 Kings 2 16 Context

1 Kings chapter 2 details King Solomon's decisive consolidation of his rule after the death of his father, King David. Following David's final instructions to solidify his throne by dealing with past adversaries, Adonijah, David's elder son who had previously attempted to usurp the kingship (1 Ki 1), makes an appeal to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. This seemingly innocent conversation is deeply steeped in the political tensions of a newly established monarchy. Adonijah's previous rebellion, which almost succeeded, left a cloud of distrust. His survival thus far depended on Solomon's grace. In this highly charged atmosphere, Adonijah's appeal in verse 16 sets the stage for a critical moment where Solomon must choose between clemency and securing his divinely appointed rule. His subsequent request for Abishag, David's former companion, would be interpreted by Solomon not as a personal desire but as a cunning, strategic move to symbolically inherit royal status and revive his claim to the throne, leading to Solomon's swift and ultimate response.

1 Kings 2 16 Word analysis

• Now therefore (וְעַתָּה, ve'attah): This Hebrew conjunction marks a logical continuation or consequence from a previous statement. Adonijah's immediate past is his failed usurpation and his precarious existence under Solomon's reign. "Now therefore" functions to create a polite, albeit false, premise that what follows is a reasonable or inevitable next step from their prior conversation. It transitions from Bathsheba's query about his peaceful intentions to his urgent, carefully presented request.
• I ask (אֶשְׁאָלֵה, esh'aleh): From the verb שָׁאַל (sha'al), meaning "to ask, inquire, borrow, beg." The specific form used implies a humble request, a seeking of favor or a plea. It projects an image of Adonijah as one seeking an earnest, almost desperate, audience or assistance, contrasting with his prior aggressive attempt to seize the throne. It is manipulative in its politeness.
• one petition (שְׁאֵלָה אַחַת, she'elah achat): The emphasis on "one" (אַחַת, achat) is crucial. Adonijah attempts to trivialize his request, making it sound insignificant, easily granted, and singular. This minimizes its apparent importance and potential political ramifications. However, in the highly politicized royal court, nothing associated with the king's household was truly "one" or insignificant, especially not when requested by a former rival claimant to the throne. It serves to conceal his true motive and the weighty nature of what he is truly seeking.
• of thee (מֵאִתָּךְ, me'ittakh): Explicitly addressing Bathsheba, the feminine singular suffix points directly to her. This highlights Bathsheba's known influence with her son, King Solomon, positioning her as the ideal intermediary for Adonijah's strategic request. Adonijah understood the power dynamic within the royal family, recognizing that Solomon held his mother in high esteem and would likely be attentive to her appeals.
• deny me not (אַל־תְּשִׁיבִי פָנַי, al-teshivi fanay): This is a powerful and common Hebrew idiom that literally translates to "do not turn back my face" or "do not refuse my presence/request." It is a profound appeal that implies strong politeness, deference, and a sense of expectation that the request should not be rejected, as doing so would bring shame or humiliation to the requester. By using this phrase, Adonijah tries to place Bathsheba in a position where refusing him would be culturally difficult, playing on her presumed goodwill and the desire to avoid shaming a royal individual, even one under the new king's mercy. It functions as an earnest plea while subtly putting pressure on the one being asked.

1 Kings 2 16 Bonus section

The scene orchestrated by Adonijah with Bathsheba, starting with his flattering and humble demeanor, is fraught with dramatic irony. Adonijah believes his clever appeal for a "simple" request will pass undetected or be overlooked due to its seeming innocuousness and Bathsheba's maternal influence. However, King Solomon immediately recognizes the profound political implication of marrying Abishag, David's last consort, even if she was primarily a caregiver. This illustrates how true intentions, despite being cloaked in politeness and feigned simplicity, are often discernable, especially by those who possess discernment and authority from the Lord. Adonijah's words in this verse, meant to soften Bathsheba and mislead Solomon, instead precipitate his downfall.

1 Kings 2 16 Commentary

Adonijah's address to Bathsheba in 1 Kings 2:16 is a masterclass in subtle manipulation, demonstrating a cunning attempt to navigate the new political landscape under Solomon's reign. By phrasing his request as "one petition" and urging "deny me not," he presented himself as humble and desperate for a singular, seemingly harmless favor. However, beneath this veneer of meekness lay a calculating ambition. The "petition" he soon reveals – the request for Abishag, David's concubine-companion – was understood by Solomon, and implicitly by Bathsheba, as a coded claim to royal legitimacy. In ancient Near Eastern customs, inheriting the previous king's wives or concubines was a significant symbolic act of succession. Adonijah, despite his past failed coup and his recent pardon, was effectively making a dangerous political move under the guise of an innocuous personal desire. This verse thus captures Adonijah's unrepentant yearning for the throne and his attempt to use Bathsheba's influence as a Trojan horse to re-enter the political struggle against God's divinely appointed king, Solomon.