1 Kings 2:12-22

12 Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was established greatly.

13 And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, "Comest thou peaceably?" And he said, "Peaceably."

14 He said moreover, "I have something to say unto thee." And she said, "Say on."

15 And he said, "Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign. However the kingdom is turned about and has become my brother's, for it was his from the LORD.

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

17 And he said, "Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king (for he will not say `nay' to thee), that he give me Abishag the Shunammite for a wife."

18 And Bathsheba said, "Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."

19 Bathsheba therefore went unto King Solomon to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.

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

21 And she said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother for a wife."

22 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 2:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2

This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1Ki 2:1-4; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1Ki 2:5-9; and the next account in it is concerning his death and burial, and the years of his reign, 1Ki 2:10,11; after which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah, which was refused, and the issue of it was his death, 1Ki 2:12-25; and the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26,27; and the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders, 1Ki 2:28-34; in whose post Benaiah was put, as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar, 1Ki 2:35; and lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem, who had cursed David, 1Ki 2:36-38; who upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death, 1Ki 2:39-46.