1 Kings 2:22 King Solomon answered his mother, "Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!"

◄ 1 Kings 2:22 ►

New International Version
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!”

New Living Translation
“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.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
But King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you requesting Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Request for him the kingdom as well—since he is my older brother—for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”

NASB 1995
King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him also the kingdom— for he is my older brother— even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”

NASB 1977
And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him also the kingdom—for he is my older brother—even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him also the kingdom—for he is my older brother—even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”

Amplified Bible
King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you asking for Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask the kingdom for him also—since he is my older brother—[ask it] for him and for Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah [his supporters]!”

Christian Standard Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, “Why are you requesting Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my elder brother, you might as well ask the kingship for him, for the priest Abiathar, and for Joab son of Zeruiah.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, “Why are you requesting Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my elder brother, you might as well ask the kingship for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Solomon said: What? Let my older brother marry Abishag? You may as well ask me to let him rule the kingdom! And why don't you ask such favors for Abiathar and Joab?

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Solomon then said, "Why do you ask that Abishag from Shunem be given to Adonijah? That would be the same as giving him the kingship. After all, he is my older brother. The priest Abiathar and Joab (Zeruiah's son) are supporting him."

Good News Translation
"Why do you ask me to give Abishag to him?" the king asked. "You might as well ask me to give him the throne too. After all, he is my older brother, and Abiathar the priest and Joab are on his side!"

International Standard Version
But King Solomon replied to his mother, "Why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Why not ask me to give up the kingdom for him, since he's my older brother, and why not ask for Abiathar the priest, and for Zeruiah's son Joab?"

Majority Standard Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, ?Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!?

NET Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, "Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!"

New Heart English Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, "Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also. For he is my elder brother. For him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah."

Webster's Bible Translation
And king Solomon answered and said to his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunamite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

World English Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And King Solomon answers and says to his mother, “And why are you asking [for] Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Also ask [for] the kingdom for him—for he [is] my elder brother—even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah.”

Young's Literal Translation
And king Solomon answereth and saith to his mother, 'And why art thou asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? also ask for him the kingdom -- for he is mine elder brother -- even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Solomon will answer, and say to his mother, And wherefore didst thou ask Abishag the Shunamite for Adonijah? And ask for him the kingdom, for he my brother, the great above me; and for him Abiathar the priest, and Joab son of Zeruiah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And king Solomon answered, and said to his mother: Why dost thou ask Abisag the Sunamitess for Adonias? ask for him also the kingdom: for he is my elder brother, and hath Abiathar the priest, and Joab the son of Sarvia.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And king Solomon responded, and he said to his mother: “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Why not request the kingdom for him! For he is my older brother, and he has Abiathar, the priest, and Joab, the son of Zeruiah.”

New American Bible
King Solomon answered his mother, “And why do you ask that Abishag the Shunamite be given to Adonijah? Ask the kingship for him as well, for he is my older brother! Ask for him, for Abiathar the priest, for Joab, son of Zeruiah!”

New Revised Standard Version
King Solomon answered his mother, “And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom as well! For he is my elder brother; ask not only for him but also for the priest Abiathar and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, Why do you ask Abishag the Shilommite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my elder brother; ask even for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab the son of Zoriah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Solomon answered and said to his mother: “Why have you asked me Abishag the Shilumite for Aduniah, unless you request the kingdom for him, because he is my brother who is older than I, and Abiathar the Priest and Yuab, son of Tsuria are for him?”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And king Solomon answered and said to his mother, And why hast thou asked Abisag for Adonias? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my elder brother, and he has for his companion Abiathar the priest, and Joab the son of Saruia the commander-in-chief.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Execution of Adonijah
…21So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.” 22King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!” 23Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Samuel 12:8
I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more.

1 Kings 1:5
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.

1 Kings 1:11
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?

1 Kings 1:13
Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

1 Kings 1:17
“My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

1 Kings 1:24-25
“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’? / For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

1 Kings 1:30
I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”

1 Kings 1:35
Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

1 Kings 1:39
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”

1 Kings 1:50-53
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” ...

2 Samuel 3:7
Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

2 Samuel 16:21-22
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

2 Samuel 20:3
When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.

1 Chronicles 3:2
the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;

Matthew 1:6
and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

Treasury of Scripture

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

why dost

Matthew 20:22
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Mark 10:38
But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

James 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

the kingdom

1 Kings 1:5-7,11,24,25
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him…

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Abiathar Abishag Adonijah Elder Joab Kingdom Mother Priest Shunamite Shunammite Solomon Zeruiah

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Abiathar Abishag Adonijah Elder Joab Kingdom Mother Priest Shunamite Shunammite Solomon Zeruiah

1 Kings 2

1. David, having given a charge to Solomon
3. of Reverence
5. of Joab
7. of Barzillai
8. of Shimei
10. Solomon succeeds
12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,
13. is put to death
26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood
28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain
35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's
36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.

Berean Study Bible

King Solomon answered
The phrase "King Solomon answered" indicates Solomon's role as the reigning monarch, a position of authority and wisdom. The Hebrew root for "answered" (עָנָה, 'anah) often implies a thoughtful or deliberate response, suggesting Solomon's careful consideration of the request. Solomon's wisdom, a gift from God, is a central theme in his reign, and his response here reflects his discernment and understanding of the political implications of the request.

Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah?
The request for "Abishag the Shunammite" is significant because Abishag was King David's concubine. In the ancient Near Eastern context, taking a king's concubine was often seen as a claim to the throne. The Hebrew name "Abishag" (אֲבִישַׁג) means "my father strays" or "my father wanders," which could symbolically reflect the instability or wandering of Adonijah's ambitions. The mention of "Shunammite" ties her to the region of Shunem, emphasizing her identity and possibly her outsider status in the royal court.

You might as well request the kingdom for him
Solomon's rhetorical statement underscores the gravity of the request. The phrase "You might as well request the kingdom" reveals Solomon's perception of the political threat posed by Adonijah. In the Hebrew text, the word for "kingdom" (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakah) signifies not just the physical territory but the authority and rule over Israel, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

after all, he is my older brother
The acknowledgment of Adonijah as "my older brother" is crucial. In the ancient world, the eldest son often had a claim to the throne, which adds a layer of complexity to the political dynamics. The Hebrew term for "older" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) can also mean "great" or "important," emphasizing Adonijah's potential claim and the threat he posed to Solomon's rule.

yes, for him and for Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah
By including "Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah," Solomon identifies key figures who supported Adonijah's previous attempt to seize the throne. Abiathar, a priest, and Joab, a military leader, were influential figures whose allegiance to Adonijah represented a significant challenge to Solomon's authority. The Hebrew names carry meanings that reflect their roles: "Abiathar" (אֶבְיָתָר) means "father of abundance," and "Joab" (יוֹאָב) means "Yahweh is father," both indicating their positions of influence and power within the kingdom.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) And why dost thou ask?--In Solomon's answer there is a certain bitterness, venting itself in irony, which seems to argue the mingling with kingly dignity and policy of some passionate feeling, not unlike the bursts of passion in his father, as in the case of Nabal (1Samuel 25:21-22). It certainly gives some probability to the conjecture (see Note on 1:3) that Abishag was the "fair Shulamite" of the Song of Solomon, already loved by the youthful king. In his wrath he infers, rightly or wrongly, that the hand of the conspirators is seen in this petition, and executes vengeance accordingly, summarily and without giving them any trial or opportunity of excusing themselves.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 22. - And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? [Professor Plumptre (Dict. Bib., art. "Solomon") says this "narrative is not a little perplexing." He then specially remarks on the strangeness of Bathsheba's interceding for Adonijah, and also on Solomon's "flashing into fiercest wrath" at her request. He explains the facts, however, by "Mr. Grove's ingenious theory identifying Abishag with the Shulamite (Song of Solomon 6:13), the heroine of the Song of Songs." It is "the passionate love of Solomon for the fairest among women' that has made Bathsheba, "hitherto supreme, to fear a rival influence, and to join in any scheme for its removal." The king's vehement abruptness is in like manner accounted for. He sees in the request at once an attempt to deprive him of the woman he loves and a plot to keep him still in the tutelage of childhood. Of the ingenuity of this theory no one can doubt, nor yet that it may possibly represent the actual facts. But it is not necessary, nor does it help much to the explanation of the narrative. Bathsheba's intervention may easily be accounted for by

(1) her desire to conciliate her son's most formidable rival;

(2) her feminine interest in a love match; and

(3) her pride, which could not but be flattered, on being assured that her influence with the king was so great. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

King
הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

answered
וַיַּעַן֩ (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

his mother,
לְאִמּ֗וֹ (lə·’im·mōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

“Why
וְלָמָה֩ (wə·lā·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

do you
אַ֨תְּ (’at)
Pronoun - second person feminine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

request
שֹׁאֶ֜לֶת (šō·’e·leṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

Abishag
אֲבִישַׁ֤ג (’ă·ḇî·šaḡ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 49: Abishag -- 'my father is a wanderer', an Israelite woman

the Shunammite
הַשֻּׁנַמִּית֙ (haš·šu·nam·mîṯ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7767: Shunammite -- a Shunammitess

for Adonijah?
לַאֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ (la·’ă·ḏō·nî·yā·hū)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 138: Adonijah -- 'my Lord is Yahweh', the name of several Israelites

Since
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
ה֥וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is my older
הַגָּד֣וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

brother,
אָחִ֖י (’ā·ḥî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

you might as well request
וְשַֽׁאֲלִי־ (wə·ša·’ă·lî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

the kingdom
הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה (ham·mə·lū·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4410: Something ruled, a realm

for him
לוֹ֙ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and for Abiathar
וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֣ר (ū·lə·’eḇ·yā·ṯār)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 54: Abiathar -- 'the great one is father', an Israelite priest

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

and for Joab
וּלְיוֹאָ֖ב (ū·lə·yō·w·’āḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Zeruiah.?
צְרוּיָֽה׃ (ṣə·rū·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6870: Zeruiah -- an Israelite woman

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OT History: 1 Kings 2:22 King Solomon answered his mother Why do (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)