More Than A Warm Body

(1) King David was now old, advanced in years; and though they covered him with bedclothes, he never felt warm. (2) His courtiers said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king, to wait upon Your Majesty and be his attendant; (Meaning of Heb. uncertain) and let her lie in your bosom, and my lord the king will be warm.” (3) So they looked for a beautiful young woman throughout the territory of Israel. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. (4) This young woman was exceedingly beautiful. She became the king’s attendant (Meaning of Heb. uncertain.) and waited upon him; but the king was not intimate with her.

(12) And Solomon sat upon the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established. (13) Adonijah son of Haggith came to see Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She said, “Do you come with friendly intent?” “Yes,” he replied; (14) and he continued, “I would like to have a word with you.” “Speak up,” she said. (15) Then he said, “You know that the kingship was rightly mine and that all Israel wanted me to reign. But the kingship passed on to my brother; it came to him by GOD’s will. (16) And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me.” She said, “Speak up.” (17) He replied, “Please ask King Solomon—for he won’t refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” (18) “Very well,” said Bathsheba, “I will speak to the king in your behalf.” (19) So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him about Adonijah. The king rose to greet her and bowed down to her. He sat on his throne; and he had a throne placed for the queen mother, and she sat on his right. (20) She said, “I have one small request to make of you, do not refuse me.” He responded, “Ask, Mother; I shall not refuse you.” (21) Then she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as wife.” (22) The king replied to his mother, “Why request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Request the kingship for him! For he is my older brother, and the priest Abiathar and Joab son of Zeruiah are on his side. (23) Thereupon, King Solomon swore by GOD, saying, “So may God do to me and even more, if broaching this matter does not cost Adonijah his life! (24) Now, as GOD lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of my father David and who has provided him with a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this very day!” (25) And Solomon instructed Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who struck Adonijah down; and so he died.