"I have just one small request of you," she said. "Do not deny me." "Make your request, my mother," the king replied, "for I will not deny you." I have one small request to make of youThis phrase is spoken by Bathsheba, the mother of King Solomon, as she approaches her son with a petition. The Hebrew word for "request" is "שְׁאֵלָה" (she'elah), which implies a petition or plea. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, a request from a queen mother held significant weight, as the queen mother often wielded considerable influence in the royal court. Bathsheba's approach is humble, acknowledging the authority of the king while also leveraging her maternal relationship. do not refuse me.”
The plea "do not refuse me" underscores the urgency and importance of Bathsheba's request. The Hebrew root "מָאֵן" (ma'en) means to refuse or deny. In the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, a refusal could imply a breach of respect or familial duty. Bathsheba's words reflect a cultural expectation that a son, especially a king, would honor his mother's requests, highlighting the familial bonds and respect inherent in their relationship. “Make your request, my mother,”
Solomon's response, "Make your request, my mother," is both respectful and formal. The use of "my mother" (אִמִּי, 'immi) is significant, as it acknowledges Bathsheba's status and the respect due to her. In the royal court, the queen mother often held a position of honor and influence, and Solomon's address reflects this cultural norm. His willingness to listen indicates a readiness to honor her request, showcasing the importance of family ties and respect for parental authority in biblical times. “for I will not refuse you.”
Solomon's assurance, "for I will not refuse you," is a promise of compliance. The Hebrew phrase here conveys a strong commitment to fulfilling his mother's request. This reflects the biblical principle of honoring one's parents, as outlined in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12). Solomon's response is not just a personal promise but also a reflection of his adherence to God's commandments, demonstrating the intertwining of familial duty and spiritual obedience. Persons / Places / Events 1. BathshebaThe mother of King Solomon, Bathsheba approaches her son with a request. Her role as the queen mother gives her a position of influence in the royal court. 2. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the newly anointed king of Israel. His response to his mother reflects both respect and the weight of his royal authority. 3. The Royal CourtThe setting is the royal court of Israel, where matters of state and personal requests are brought before the king. 4. Adonijah's RequestThe context of this verse involves Adonijah, Solomon's older brother, who previously attempted to claim the throne. Bathsheba's request is on behalf of Adonijah, which has political implications. 5. The Throne of IsraelThe central symbol of authority and governance in Israel, representing God's covenant with David and his descendants. Teaching Points Respect for Parental AuthoritySolomon's willingness to listen to Bathsheba demonstrates the biblical principle of honoring one's parents, which is foundational in Christian ethics. Wisdom in LeadershipSolomon's response shows the importance of discernment and wisdom in leadership, especially when dealing with family and political matters. The Influence of Godly CounselBathsheba's position as queen mother highlights the impact of godly counsel and influence in the lives of leaders. The Complexity of Family DynamicsThe request involves navigating complex family relationships, reminding us of the need for grace and wisdom in our own family interactions. The Sovereignty of God in LeadershipDespite human plans and requests, God's sovereign will ultimately prevails, as seen in Solomon's reign. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's response to Bathsheba reflect the biblical command to honor one's parents, and how can we apply this in our own family relationships? 2. In what ways does the context of Adonijah's previous actions influence the significance of Bathsheba's request to Solomon? 3. How can we seek and apply godly wisdom in our leadership roles, whether in the family, church, or workplace? 4. What lessons can we learn from the dynamics between Bathsheba, Solomon, and Adonijah about handling complex family situations? 5. How does the promise of God to David about his descendants ruling Israel provide assurance of God's sovereignty in our lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:12This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring one's parents, which is reflected in Solomon's respectful response to Bathsheba. Proverbs 31:1-9These verses, attributed to King Lemuel, traditionally understood as Solomon, highlight the influence of a mother’s teaching on a king, paralleling Bathsheba’s role. 1 Kings 1:5-53Provides background on Adonijah's previous attempt to usurp the throne, setting the stage for Bathsheba's request. 2 Samuel 7:12-16God's promise to David about his descendants ruling Israel, which underscores the significance of Solomon's reign. People Abiathar, Abishag, Abner, Absalom, Achish, Adonijah, Amasa, Anathoth, Barzillai, Bathsheba, Benaiah, David, Eli, Gera, Haggith, Jehoiada, Jether, Joab, Maacah, Maachah, Ner, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Anathoth, Bahurim, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Kidron, Mahanaim, ShilohTopics Deny, Desire, Face, Making, Nay, Petition, Refuse, Replied, Request, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 2:20 4847 smallness 1 Kings 2:12-25 5119 Solomon, life of Library The Horns of the Altar
WE MUST tell you the story. Solomon was to be the king after David, but his elder brother, Adonijah, was preferred by Joab, the captain of the host, and by Abiathar, the priest; and, therefore, they got together, and tried to steal a march upon dying David, and set up Adonijah. They utterly failed in this; and when Solomn came to the throne Adonijah was afraid for his life, and fled to the horns of the altar at the tabernacle for shelter. Solomn permitted him to find sanctuary there, and forgave …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand of the Father...
11. "He ascended into heaven:" believe. "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:" believe. By sitting, understand dwelling: as [in Latin] we say of any person, "In that country he dwelt (sedit) three years." The Scripture also has that expression, that such an one dwelt (sedisse) in a city for such a time. [1791] Not meaning that he sat and never rose up? On this account the dwellings of men are called seats (sedes). [1792] Where people are seated (in this sense), are they always sitting? Is …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Whether Curiosity Can be About Intellective Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that curiosity cannot be about intellective knowledge. Because, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ii, 6), there can be no mean and extremes in things which are essentially good. Now intellective knowledge is essentially good: because man's perfection would seem to consist in his intellect being reduced from potentiality to act, and this is done by the knowledge of truth. For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv) that "the good of the human soul is to be in accordance with reason," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Angels have Bodies Naturally United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that angels have bodies naturally united to them. For Origen says (Peri Archon i): "It is God's attribute alone---that is, it belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as a property of nature, that He is understood to exist without any material substance and without any companionship of corporeal addition." Bernard likewise says (Hom. vi. super Cant.): "Let us assign incorporeity to God alone even as we do immortality, whose nature alone, neither for its own sake …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Natural Law Can be Changed?
Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be changed. Because on Ecclus. 17:9, "He gave them instructions, and the law of life," the gloss says: "He wished the law of the letter to be written, in order to correct the law of nature." But that which is corrected is changed. Therefore the natural law can be changed. Objection 2: Further, the slaying of the innocent, adultery, and theft are against the natural law. But we find these things changed by God: as when God commanded Abraham to slay …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
Wherefore let every one measure himself wisely, lest he venture to assume a place of rule, while in himself vice still reigns unto condemnation; lest one whom his own guilt depraves desire to become an intercessor for the faults of others. For on this account it is said to Moses by the supernal voice, Speak unto Aaron; Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, he shall not offer loaves of bread to the Lord his God (Lev. xxi. 17). And it is also immediately subjoined; …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
Text: 1 Peter 3, 8-15. 8 Finally, be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: 11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 2:20 NIV1 Kings 2:20 NLT1 Kings 2:20 ESV1 Kings 2:20 NASB1 Kings 2:20 KJV
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