1 Kings 2 22

1 Kings 2:22 kjv

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

1 Kings 2:22 nkjv

And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, "Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also?for he is my older brother?for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah."

1 Kings 2:22 niv

King Solomon answered his mother, "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!"

1 Kings 2:22 esv

King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah."

1 Kings 2:22 nlt

"How can you possibly ask me to give Abishag to Adonijah?" King Solomon demanded. "You might as well ask me to give him the kingdom! You know that he is my older brother, and that he has Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah on his side."

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 22 Meaning

King Solomon's response to his mother Bathsheba in 1 Kings 2:22 reveals his shrewd understanding of Adonijah's true motives. Adonijah's request to marry Abishag, though seemingly innocent, was a veiled attempt to claim legitimate succession to King David's throne. Solomon perceived this as a clear continuation of Adonijah's ambition for kingship, implicitly challenging his divinely appointed rule. His sarcastic reply, "Ask for him the kingdom also," exposed Adonijah's deeper designs and indicated Solomon's resolve to eliminate threats to his established reign, particularly given Adonijah's association with powerful, rebellious figures like Abiathar and Joab.

1 Kings 2 22 Context

The immediate context of 1 Kings 2:22 is a critical turning point in Solomon's reign. After David's death and Solomon's establishment on the throne (1 Ki 2:12), Adonijah, who had previously attempted to seize the kingship (1 Ki 1:5-10), approaches Bathsheba with a seemingly benign request: to marry Abishag, the Shunammite, who had served King David in his old age. Bathsheba, unaware of the political ramifications, presents this request to Solomon.

The broader chapter context details Solomon's systematic consolidation of power by eliminating potential threats and securing his throne as instructed by his dying father, David. His decisive response to Adonijah's seemingly innocent request for Abishag (1 Ki 2:22) sets in motion the swift executions of Adonijah (1 Ki 2:23-25), the banishment of Abiathar (1 Ki 2:26-27), and the execution of Joab (1 Ki 2:28-34).

Historically, in the ancient Near East, taking possession of a deceased king's concubines was a recognized symbolic act of inheriting his power and authority, legitimizing one's claim to the throne. Adonijah, being the oldest surviving son of David, perceived himself as the rightful heir despite David's anointing of Solomon. His past alliances with Abiathar and Joab further amplified the threat perceived by Solomon, making Adonijah's request for Abishag not a marital matter, but a thinly disguised, serious political challenge.

1 Kings 2 22 Word analysis

• King Solomon (המֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה, ha-Melech Shlomoh): "The King Solomon." The definite article signifies his current, established authority, despite the short duration of his reign so far. His name, "Shlomoh," meaning "peace," ironically ushers in a reign solidified through the elimination of threats.
• answered and said (wayyomer): Standard biblical narrative phrasing for conveying dialogue.
• to his mother (le-immo): Highlights the familiar relationship, underscoring Solomon's perception that Bathsheba is either naive or manipulated by Adonijah.
• 'And why (we-lamah): This interrogative expresses Solomon's strong disapproval and incredulity, rather than a genuine desire for information. It carries a tone of "How could you even consider this?"
• are you asking (sha'alat): The feminine singular verb indicates Bathsheba is the agent, making her a direct intermediary for a dangerous request.
• Abishag the Shunammite (אֲבִישַׁג הַשּׁוּנַמִּית, Avishag ha-Shunnamit): Abishag, though technically not a "concubine" in the sexual sense (1 Ki 1:4), served intimately with David. Her close association with the late king's personal life meant that marrying her could convey an indirect claim to royal lineage or succession, similar to taking the king's property. The term "Shunammite" identifies her origin, a region in Israel.
• for Adonijah (לַאֲדֹנִיָּהוּ, la'Adoniyahu): Adonijah's name means "My Lord is Yahweh," an ironic contrast to his actions that defied God's chosen king. His request signals his persistent claim to the throne.
• Ask for him the kingdom also (שַׁאֲלִי־לוֹ גַּם הַמַּמְלָכָה, sha'ali-lo gam ha-mamlakhah): This is the core of Solomon's insight and sarcasm. He identifies the request for Abishag as synonymous with a demand for the kingdom ("ha-mamlakhah," the sovereignty/dominion). The particle "gam" (also, even) underscores his pointed perception: Adonijah might as well ask for the whole kingdom, because that's what his current action signifies.
• for he is my older brother (כִּי־הוּא אָחִי הַגָּדוֹל, ki-hu achi ha-gadol): This clause identifies Adonijah's perceived claim through primogeniture (the right of the firstborn). Solomon sarcastically acknowledges Adonijah's 'claim' to an assumed superior right due to age, subtly emphasizing the conflict with divine appointment.
• and for Abiathar the priest (וּלְאֶבְיָתָר הַכֹּהֵן, uLe'Avyatar ha-Kohen): Abiathar was one of two high priests under David, from the line of Eli, and a key supporter of Adonijah's prior coup. His spiritual authority made his backing of Adonijah a significant threat. Solomon recognizes the continued conspiracy.
• and Joab the son of Zeruiah (וּלְיוֹאָב בֶּן־צְרוּיָה, uLe-Yoav ben-Tseruyah): Joab was David's seasoned, powerful, and ruthless commander of the army, also a key conspirator with Adonijah (1 Ki 1:7). His military influence posed an immediate threat to Solomon's nascent reign. Solomon explicitly identifies these major players in the persistent rebellion.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "Why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also": This phrase is the sarcastic unveiling of the political subtext behind a seemingly innocuous domestic request. Solomon immediately connects the two, revealing his insight into power dynamics and succession.
  • "for he is my older brother; and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!": This highlights the foundations of Adonijah's perceived claim (primogeniture) and the continued strength of his rebellious faction, particularly the spiritual and military leaders who had previously supported him. Solomon's mentioning of these individuals reveals his awareness of the persistent danger they pose to his newly established rule.

1 Kings 2 22 Bonus section

• This verse provides an early practical demonstration of the wisdom Solomon later prayed for (1 Ki 3:9), showing God already working through him in governing.
• The incident underscores the stark realities of succession in ancient monarchies, where any perceived challenge, no matter how subtle, could lead to lethal consequences. Adonijah, by pressing his claim, ultimately sealed his fate.
• The "Royal Harem" was considered the king's exclusive property. Absalom's public violation of David's concubines (2 Sam 16:21-22) vividly illustrates the symbolic power of such acts. Adonijah's similar action, albeit proposed marriage, signaled an intent to symbolically "take over" the prior king's domain.
• Solomon's handling of this matter highlights his strategy to purify his administration of lingering rebellious elements inherited from his father's complex political landscape, solidifying his authority early in his reign.

1 Kings 2 22 Commentary

1 Kings 2:22 is a profound display of King Solomon's discernment and firm hand in leadership. Adonijah's request for Abishag, though couched in respectful terms and delivered through the Queen Mother, was anything but trivial. In the ancient world, associating with the former king's household, particularly marrying his concubine, was an understood symbol of inheriting royal status or making a legitimate claim to the throne. Solomon instantly pierced through this political maneuver, recognizing it not as a simple marital plea but as Adonijah's continuing, dangerous bid for power, especially after Adonijah had already once attempted to seize the crown. Solomon's retort, "Ask for him the kingdom also," dripped with irony and exposed the thinly veiled ambition. His immediate connection of Adonijah's desire to his former powerful co-conspirators, Abiathar and Joab, underscored his understanding that this was a consolidated attempt to destabilize his reign. This moment signals Solomon's transition from the divinely appointed, inexperienced youth to a politically astute monarch ready to take decisive, uncompromising action to secure the kingdom that the Lord had firmly established under him (1 Ki 2:12).