1 Kings 2 20

1 Kings 2:20 kjv

Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.

1 Kings 2:20 nkjv

Then she said, "I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me." And the king said to her, "Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you."

1 Kings 2:20 niv

"I have one small request to make of you," she said. "Do not refuse me." The king replied, "Make it, my mother; I will not refuse you."

1 Kings 2:20 esv

Then she said, "I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me." And the king said to her, "Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you."

1 Kings 2:20 nlt

"I have one small request to make of you," she said. "I hope you won't turn me down." "What is it, my mother?" he asked. "You know I won't refuse you."

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 20 Meaning

This verse captures a crucial dialogue between Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and King Solomon shortly after he ascended the throne. Bathsheba requests what she terms a "small request," asking Solomon not to deny her. Solomon responds with profound respect, promising not to refuse his mother. This exchange appears to be a tender moment of filial piety and royal deference, but its deeper meaning is revealed immediately in the subsequent verses: Bathsheba's request, made on behalf of Adonijah, was for Abishag the Shunammite, a concubine of the late King David. Solomon's immediate, seemingly unconditional assent here, therefore, becomes a masterful, calculated response, setting the stage for his decisive consolidation of power by exposing Adonijah's underlying threat.

1 Kings 2 20 Context

This verse occurs at the very beginning of Solomon's reign, immediately following the events of David's final days and Solomon's hasty anointing due to Adonijah's premature attempt to seize the throne (1 Kgs 1). After David's death and solemn charge to Solomon (1 Kgs 2:1-9), the narrative establishes Solomon securely on the throne (1 Kgs 2:12). Adonijah, who had been spared execution on the condition of good behavior (1 Kgs 1:52), then seeks out Bathsheba, presumably believing she would intercede on his behalf, as she had done for Solomon. Bathsheba, having been crucial to Solomon's ascension, holds a position of influence. Her "small request" concerns Abishag, who was more than just a companion to David in his old age (1 Kgs 1:1-4); her being a royal concubine carried significant political weight, symbolizing royal ownership and succession.

1 Kings 2 20 Word analysis

• Then she said: Refers to Bathsheba, mother of Solomon and co-conspirator in securing his throne (1 Kgs 1:15-30). Her approaching Solomon as King, not just her son, shows the formal context.
• 'I desire: The Hebrew word is שָׁאֵל (sha'al), meaning "to ask," "to beg," "to request." It can be used for any petition, but here sets up Bathsheba's appeal to Solomon's authority and affection.
• one small request: The Hebrew is שְׁאֵלָה אַחַת קְטַנָּה (she'elah achath qetanah).
  • קְטַנָּה (qetanah): Meaning "small," "little," "insignificant." This word immediately presents the irony of the situation. From Adonijah's cunning perspective, the request for Abishag was far from "small"; it was a strategic move with profound political implications to claim royal prerogative. The seeming insignificance highlights the deceptive nature of the request.
• of you; do not refuse me.' The phrase "do not refuse me" is לֹא תָשֵׁב פָּנַי (lo' tashēv panay).
  • לֹא תָשֵׁב (lo' tashēv): From the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return," "to turn back." In the Hiphil causative stem (used here), it means "to bring back," "to restore," or "to answer back." When coupled with "face" (פָּנַי, panay), it forms an idiom: "do not turn away my face," or more commonly, "do not reject my plea," "do not deny me." It is a strong appeal for positive affirmation.
• And the king said to her, 'Ask, my mother,: Solomon immediately grants permission for the request, acknowledging her unique position and authority as his mother, and demonstrating his respectful demeanor. This filial honor is highly valued in the Israelite culture (Exod 20:12).
• for I will not refuse you.' Hebrew: כִּי לֹא אָשׁוּב פָּנָיִךְ (ki lo' ashuv panayich). This reiterates Solomon's promise using the same idiomatic expression. The King's word was often considered unbreakable (e.g., Esther 8:8, Dan 6:8, 12). However, Solomon, discerning the true nature of the "small request," understands that this "refusal" would extend to any action that threatens his God-given authority.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I desire one small request of you; do not refuse me.": Bathsheba, wittingly or unwittingly, frames a highly dangerous political maneuver as a trivial family matter, using the language of filial supplication. This tests Solomon's respect for her against the demands of the throne and kingdom security. Her appeal, emphasizing her motherly status ("my mother"), also serves to soften Solomon.
• "Ask, my mother, for I will not refuse you.": Solomon's response is an immediate affirmation, indicating his public display of honor and deference to his mother. However, the true significance lies in what he "will not refuse" and his discerning mind that instantly understands the hidden implications of Bathsheba's words. His absolute, seemingly unguarded assent sets the trap for Adonijah. It showcases Solomon's sharp mind, a foretaste of the wisdom he would later become famous for (1 Kgs 3). He does not refuse her, but he will definitively refuse, and destroy, the conspiracy disguised by her request.

1 Kings 2 20 Bonus section

The immediate and unequivocal granting of Bathsheba's petition serves several purposes for Solomon beyond merely setting a trap for Adonijah. Firstly, it publicly upholds his commitment to honor his mother, maintaining a perception of filial piety which was a key virtue in Israelite society. Secondly, it buys him time and maintains an outward calm, allowing the full implications of Adonijah's request to surface without an immediate confrontation. Solomon's response can be seen as a demonstration of a sovereign's discerning wisdom (which God later grants him, 1 Kgs 3), distinguishing between an overt show of respect and a concealed threat. His ultimate rejection of the substance of the request (i.e., Adonijah's claim, not Bathsheba's plea) underlines that while he respects his mother, God's kingdom and the integrity of the throne take ultimate precedence over personal relationships or assumed familial obligations when treason is at play.

1 Kings 2 20 Commentary

1 Kings 2:20 highlights Solomon's acute wisdom and political acumen early in his reign. What appears to be a tender exchange of familial respect masks a deeply strategic play. Bathsheba, acting on Adonijah's behalf (either naively or cunningly), presents a request designed to seem insignificant, yet carried the gravest implications. By requesting Abishag, David's concubine, Adonijah was subtly (but unmistakably, in that culture) laying claim to David's throne and legitimacy, following a pattern set by Absalom (2 Sam 16:21-22). Solomon, despite his solemn promise to his mother, perceives this latent threat immediately. His seemingly unconditional "I will not refuse you" is not an act of blindness but a deliberate move to expose and conclusively deal with the lingering threat of Adonijah's rebellion, solidifying his reign and preventing future unrest. This demonstrates a decisive resolve and a mature understanding of royal power necessary for God's chosen king.