◄ 1 Kings 2:21 ►
So Bathsheba said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 2:21? 2. What does Adonijah's request reveal about his understanding of Solomon's authority? 3. How does Bathsheba's response in 1 Kings 2:21 reflect her role as queen mother? 4. Compare Adonijah's request with Absalom's actions in 2 Samuel 16:21-22. 5. How can we discern and respect rightful authority in our own lives today? 6. What lessons about ambition and submission can be drawn from 1 Kings 2:21? 7. Why did Bathsheba request Abishag for Adonijah in 1 Kings 2:21? 8. What does 1 Kings 2:21 reveal about Bathsheba's influence in Solomon's court? 9. How does 1 Kings 2:21 reflect the political dynamics of Solomon's reign? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 2? 11. Why did Solomon execute Adonijah for requesting Abishag? 12. How can 2 Kings 21:1 claim Manasseh ruled for 55 years without clear historical or archaeological corroboration? 13. If 1 Kings 2:13-25 shows Adonijah requesting Abishag only as a bride, why is his death seen as justifiable, and does this conflict with any moral standards presented in earlier biblical texts? 14. How do we reconcile the swift punishments in 1 Kings 2:22-25 and 2:29-34 with David's emphasis on justice elsewhere, and is there historical evidence supporting these executions? Discussion Questions 1. What can we learn from Bathsheba's approach to Solomon about the role of a mother or advisor in positions of influence? 2. How does Solomon's response to Bathsheba's request reflect his wisdom and understanding of the political implications involved? 3. In what ways can we apply the principle of seeking God's wisdom in our own leadership roles or family dynamics? 4. How does the account of Adonijah and Abishag illustrate the potential consequences of ambition and the importance of aligning our desires with God's will? 5. What other biblical examples can you find where a seemingly simple request had deeper implications, and how were they handled? 1 Kings 2 Bible Study Questions 1. What aspects of David's advice to Solomon in 1 Kings 2:1-4 resonate with you the most? Why? 2. How do Solomon's actions in this chapter reflect the wisdom for which he is known? 3. In what ways does the story of Adonijah reflect the consequences of ambition and pride? 4. How does Solomon's treatment of Abiathar fulfill prophecy, and what does this suggest about God's sovereignty? 5. Discuss the moral implications of Solomon's judgment on Joab. How does it align or conflict with your understanding of justice? 6. What does Shimei's fate teach about obedience and consequences? 7. How do you think Solomon felt as he took these actions to secure his throne? Empathize with his position. 8. How does 1 Kings 2 demonstrate the balance between mercy and justice? 9. How can we apply David's parting advice to Solomon in our lives today? 10. What does this chapter teach us about handling power and authority responsibly? 11. Reflect on a situation in your life where you've had to exhibit wisdom similar to Solomon's in dealing with a challenging situation. 12. How do you reconcile the violent judgments in this chapter with a modern Christian perspective of love and forgiveness? 13. How can we as believers respond to betrayal, in light of Solomon's actions towards Adonijah and Abiathar? 14. In modern society, where do you see the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments? 15. Discuss a scenario where you had to balance loyalty with righteousness. 16. What qualities of Solomon's leadership do you find admirable or problematic? 17. How do these accounts of justice and righteousness inform your understanding of God's character? 18. How do you interpret the line "show yourself a man" from David's advice to Solomon in today's context? 19. How does this chapter's events shape the subsequent narrative of Solomon's reign? 20. Reflect on a situation where you've observed or experienced divine justice in your life. How does it align with the events of 1 Kings 2? Links 1 Kings 2:21 NIV 1 Kings 2:21 NLT 1 Kings 2:21 ESV 1 Kings 2:21 NASB 1 Kings 2:21 KJV 1 Kings 2:21 Commentaries Bible Hub