1 Kings 2:19-21

B. THE PETITION MADE BY BATHSHEBA 2:19-21

TRANSLATION

(19) Then Bathsheba went unto King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king arose to meet her, bowed himself to Her, and sat upon his throne; then he had a throne set for the mother of the king, and she sat on his right hand. (20) And she said, One small favor I am about to ask from you, do not deny me. And the king said to her, Ask, my mother, for I will not deny you. (21) And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother for a wife.

COMMENTS

When Bathsheba entered Solomon's throne room, he rendered unto her the respect due the queen mother, rising to meet her, bowing to her and placing her throne[119] on the right side of his own (1 Kings 2:19). Casting herself in the role of Cupid, and with a twinkle in her eye, Bathsheba got right to the point of her visit. She referred to her petition as a small favor, and so it seemed to her. She thought she held the threads of a love story in her hands and that it would be a small thing for Solomon to make these handsome lovers happy.[120] Solomon expressed willingness to fulfill whatever request his mother might make, never dreaming that she would ask for anything which he could not grant (1 Kings 2:20). Being thus reassured, Bathsheba stated her request on behalf of Adonijah (1 Kings 2:21).

[119] Most commentators assume that Solomon ordered his servants to so arrange the thrones, but the Hebrew suggests that he did it with his own hand.
[120] Hammond, PC, p. 37.