It has helped me better understand why she is even mentioned in the passage. Find her story in the first biblical Book of Kings, chapters 1 and 2. | GotQuestions.org, Why did David need Abishag to keep him warm when he had wives and concubines? The Bible Book (18) Hannah, 1 Sam. By reason of this and of her personal charms, she might become a strong helper to any rival of Solomon who should intrigue to supplant him. During his many years as a soldier in Sauls army and then as a king over Israel, David was highly active in fighting against Israels enemies and enlarging his empire. Still others believe that the title Shulammite ("peaceful") is simply the bride's married name, being the feminine form of Solomon ("peaceful . Abishag was a beautiful young woman. 39b). 22a, and Rashi, ibid.). She was brought to him to keep him warm in his old age, but some have speculated that she may have been a potential wife or even a bed companion. The introduction of David as an old and sick man serves also to introduce the struggle between Solomon and his half-brother Adonijah to become the next king of Israel after Davids death. | GotQuestions.org, What was the true issue between Adonijah and Solomon over Abishag? To understand the context of this story, it is important to examine the role of concubines in the royal court, as well as the history of the kingdom of Israel leading up to Solomons reign. Why did David need Abishag to keep him warm when he had wives and But why is asking for Abishag equivalent in Solomon's eyes to asking for the kingship? To Nepotian. However, it also caused him problems, as some of his wives led him astray from his faith in God. Learn how your comment data is processed. 1 Kings 2:21 New Living Translation (NLT) It relates that she was not half as beautiful as Sarah (Sanh. Viral Believer sometimes participates in different affiliate programs, including the Amazon Associates program. The aggadah identifies Abishag as the Shunammite who gave hospitality to Elisha the prophet (PdRE 33). "Do not refuse me.". 1 Kings 1:3 - Bible Hub Bathsheba had originally been married to Uriah the Hittite, but David had committed adultery with her and then arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle (2 Samuel 11). Drawing, Welcome to this insightful commentary on the Book of Joshua, Chapter 23, as we explore and delve into the rich and spiritual wisdom found within, Welcome, dear readers, to a focused, enriching discussion on the Book of Joshua, Chapter 22, as presented in the New King James Version (NKJV) of, In this article, we delve into the intricacies and profound revelations contained in Chapter 21 of the Book of Joshua, one of the historical books, $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["05703afe-05d8-4bb9-ba12-b7d3222e2ade"]); }), Viral Believer is owned byParadise Publishing441 Honeysuckle StMesquite NV. Solomon had a large retinue of attendants and officials who served him in various capacities. The notice (1:4) that "the king knew her not" serves less to impute decrepitude to David than to inform the audience that there would be no other claimants to David's throne than Solomon and Adonijah. Pronunc, Kings (books of the Bible) But King David isnt interested in romance with Abishag. Others say Abishag grows into a person of great self-determination. She was later used by David s son and successor First names dictionary Asked June 08 2017 King Davids courtiers hire her to arouse the king sexually. represented a true threat to Solomon's position, as it is only the king, and not a commoner, who is allowed to make use of the servants of the deceased king (Sanh. Abishag in the Bible - The Bible - Read and Study Free Online They point to the fact that Abishag was considered a concubine of King David, which would have made her a potential wife for Solomon according to the customs of the time. She became the kings attendant and waited upon him; but the king was not intimate with her.1st Kings 1:1-4 (NJPS). (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV), 1 Kings 2:17He said, "Please speak to Solomon the king (for he will not tell you'no'), that he give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife. King David's Marriage To 12 Year Old Abishag - Islam Compass And if the next king is his son, she cant marry him eitherthe laws in Leviticus still apply. It did not work because of Davids impotence. However, there is no direct evidence that Solomon actually married Abishag. This quintessential tale has, Introduction The Bible is packed with stories of people who prepared for the future. As a result, Adonijah was executed (1 Kings 2:13-25). What happens to a baby that dies within a few months after birth? It is important to note that the Bible does not provide a definitive answer to whether or not Solomon married Abishag. Biblical woman. After Davids death, Abishag remained in the palace and became a part of Solomons court. Vote Up (19) Bathshebah, 2:Sam.11:3. She is mentioned once more incidentally (1st Kings 1:15). This request was a gratuitous insult from Adonijah to his younger brother Solomon, in effect assuming the role of "brother" to his own father. Some say she is the woman Solomon loves in the Song of Songs (ch 1). Abishag in the Bible: Who Was She and What Was Her Role? While these relationships were not necessarily considered sinful in the eyes of the ancient Israelites, they did carry certain social and political implications. As a queen-mother, Bathsheba understood the meaning of the request. In conclusion, the question of whether or not Solomon married Abishag remains a matter of debate among scholars. In his old age, David suffered from an unknown ailment, King David was old and advanced in years; and although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm (1 Kings 1:1). Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. Read more Share Show footnotes 1 Kings 2:21-22 The New International Version (NIV) 21 So she said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah." 22 King Solomon answered his mother, "Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Abishag was a beautiful young woman. a beautiful Shunammite (from Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar), taken into David's harem to comfort him in his extreme old age. (Of course interpreters think thats part of the biblical mindset. Who was Abishag in the Bible? - Bible Questions Answered (Of course interpreters think that's part of the biblical mindset. However, their status as concubines meant that their children did not have the same inheritance rights as the children of full wives. Required fields are marked *. Question Who was the Shunammites? When Solomon becomes king, his brother Adonijah asks for a pardon. Interesting. In his commentary on the book of Kings, Hans Wilhelm Noth suggests that the story of Abishag and Adonijah may have been added to the text at a later date in order to illustrate the dangers of political intrigue and the importance of a strong, wise king. Abishag's name starts us off with singular and curious meaning. Pulpit Commentary. Davids old age and his illness would present several challenges to his ability to lead Israel as king. 1. ), Homage to Shmuel (2002), 37681. Abishag the Shunammite - Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan on Sophia Street Biblical woman . ." Shulamite - Wikipedia The fact that David did not make Abishag his legal wife is explained as due to his refusal to exceed the traditional number of wives (18) allowed to a king (Sanh. ; "the [Divine] Father (? /z/zeru'iah.htm - 13k, Bathshe'ba (10 Occurrences) king into the chamber. . Abishag a Shunammite and King David : Paintings - Reddit How should the story of David's concubines be read? More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! However, the date of retrieval is often important. But she makes sure to do so in a public place, in the throne room, in front of witnesses. Shunamitism - Wikipedia Abishags story takes place during Davids last days of his life, at a time when he was unable to get himself warm and retain his body heat. I am glad to know that the article helped you gain a better understanding of the role Abishag played in the life of David. Married King Amaziah; children: King Azariah (or Uzziah). Solomon correctly interpreted this request for the former king's concubine as a bid for the throne (See II Sam 12:8; 16:2023), and had Adonijah killed (I Kings 2:1325). Abishag the Shunammite - Dr. Claude Mariottini 39b). David remains impotent, however, and this failure precipitates a political crisis to which first Adonijah and then Nathan respond.. Some interpreters say: the courtiers think a sexually potent king is politically potent. 20 "I have one small request to make of you," she said. Once Solomon ascended to the throne and became king of Israel, Adonijah went to Bathsheba, the queen-mother. Concubines, in particular, were seen as secondary wives who did not have the same rights or privileges as full wives. Or does Adonijah perceive that Abishag is actually a political-operative-in-training? Stack Exchange network consists of 182 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. One of the most famous women in Solomons harem was the young virgin Abishag from Shunem. And then try to answer them. Thousands of Bibles, books, and studies starting at 30% off -- Shop ChurchSource.com now! Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. 22a, and Rashi, ibid.). When Solomon became king, *Adonijah , whose life Solomon had spared although he knew him to be a dangerous rival, asked *Bath-Sheba, Solomon's mother, to intercede on his behalf for permission to marry Abishag. . Where they part of Israel? And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered . . Solomons reign was marked by peace and prosperity, and he was known for his wisdom, wealth, and grand building projects such as the Temple in Jerusalem. This is the middle of the story. Noth, Personennamen, index; Ginzberg, Legends, index. At the outset 1 Kings, King David is near death and he hasn't explicitly chosen a successor. The story of Abishag and David takes place during the last days of Davids reign. . As far as I am aware, the last definite reference to Abishag is in 1 Kings 2:13-25. And so does his older half-brother, Adonijah son of Haggith. The treatment failed. Abishag - Wikipedia /s/shu'nammite.htm - 8k, Adonijah (28 Occurrences)Abishag was brought in, not to "attend upon David during has declining years," but to put her vitality at has disposal during a few weeks. Judas Iscariots Fate: Heaven or Hell? She was aware that Adonijah posed a threat to Solomons kingship, and she had to act in order to save her son. Avishag was not married to David, and so was not forbidden (by the laws of incest) from marrying any of Davids sons, but by the rules of kingship it was at least inappropriate for her, as Davids (literal) bed-warmer, to be married to anyone but another king. The Bible only states that Abishag was a young woman from Shunem who was brought to King David to keep him warm in his old age. Women of the Bible: Abishag the Shunammite - Home | JEREMIAHS CALL Shunem was a village in the territory of Issachar, north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa. Adonijah sought Abishag in marriage. Your email address will not be published. Maybe, somehow, even her enemies trust her. In other words, maybe he is making a direct threat to Bathsheba and Solomon. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Pronunciation: Jek-uh-LIGH-uh. Abishag | The amazing name Abishag: meaning and etymology ABISHAG THE SHUNAMMITE (Heb. And she watches and listens as Bathsheba skillfully plays politics. So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. Answer and Explanation: Before David died, he named Solomon to succeed him on the throne. Ask for him the kingdom as well! Why a young virgin? Adonijah believed that Solomons kingship was illegal. While it is possible that they were married, there is no direct evidence to support this claim. His servants tried to cover him, but his body could not retain heat. While the text does not explicitly state that she was one of Davids concubines, it is generally assumed that this was the case. Today Adonijah shall be put to death. He views it as a threat and orders Adonijahs execution. She was chosen for the service with great care on account of her youth and beauty and physical vigor. Spam, Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. Abishag the Shunammite In the end, we know little about Abishag. The biblical text does not explicitly state that they were married, but some scholars believe that they were. The term comes from a root skn, "attend to," "take care," and its noun forms can be applied to high officials in Hebrew (Is. (See RSV). represented a true threat to Solomon's position, as it is only the king, and not a commoner, who is allowed to make use of the servants of the deceased king (Sanh. According to the Bible, Abishag was a Shunammite who was chosen to care for King David in his final years. Why a woman? In the Aggadah The aggadah identifies Abishag as the Shunammite who gave hospitality to Elisha the prophet (pdre 33). Whether she went willingly or was forced to go, the text does not say. While the details of the story may be open to interpretation, there is no doubt that it provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of ancient Israel and the struggles that its rulers faced. The amazing name Shunammite: meaning and etymology The young woman, who was from Shunem, was also referred to as a Shunammite. 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. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"N2ZyR5Tf2edzD6BEUKvRnCtYU6.Imd7zAPapa_WMdqk-86400-0"}; Despite his many successes, Solomons reign was not without its challenges. Show footnotes 1 Kings 2:21 The New International Version (NIV) 21 So she said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah." 1 Kings 2:21 King James Version (KJV 1900) 21 And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife. Haftarah Companion for Chayei Sarah - Haftarah - Parshah - Chabad.org And Solomon reacts in the only face-saving way possible. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. 3 So they sought for a fair YOUNG (NA'ARAH) maid throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found one Abishag a Shunammite, and BROUGHT HER TO THE KING." - 1 Kings 1-3 (1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)) . Topical Bible: Shunammite He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988. 1 Kings 2:21 ESV - She said, "Let Abishag the | Biblia And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me. She said to him, Go on. He said, Please ask King Solomon he will not refuse you to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife. Bathsheba said, Very well; I will speak to the king on your behalf (1 Kings 2:1318). Schearing, Linda S. Abishag (Person), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 1:24. According to the Talmud, certain things specifically associated with the kings person (his horse, e.g.) rev2023.6.27.43513. //chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm, The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate, The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. Then, she asks Solomon on Adonijahs behalf. David aquires Bethsheba through less than righteous looking means just prior to taking the throne. In the USA, is it legal for parents to take children to strip clubs? Throughout II Samuel, David's kingdom was plagued with rebellions and fissures. ; "the [Divine] Father (? (See RSV). No need to sleep with him in as she is the devine feminine that was with him from the beginning of this me. Solomon's action is also vindicated on the grounds that the request made by Adonijah to be permitted to marry Abishag (I Kings 2:13 ff.) A boy or young man would not have been considered for the job, in order to prevent even the appearance of David having a homosexual relationship ( Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 ). The Bible Book, The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV), Who was Abishag in the Bible? She served as bed companion to David in the hope that her fresh beauty would induce some warmth in the old man (i Kings 1:14, 15), and as his housekeeper. Request the kingship for him! Among . After David's death, his son Solomon became king. 2. (1) Abishag, who was brought to minister to the aged king David, love for whom led Adonijah to his doom (1 Kings 1:3, 15; 1 Kings 2:17, etc.). Its possible the courtiers insisted. Who Was Abishag and What Did She Do? However, Solomon saw this as a threat to his own claim to the throne, and had Adonijah executed (1 Kings 2:24-25). He sat on his throne; and he had a throne placed for the queen mother, and she sat on his right. Abishag was a young virgin chosen to keep King David warm in his bed during his last days. Solomon suspected in this request an aspiration to the throne, since Abishag was considered David's concubine,[7][8] and so ordered Adonijah's assassination (1 Kings 2:1725). (713) 367-7300 Abishag is said to have mocked David when he refused her offer of In conclusion, there is no clear evidence that Solomon married Abishag. Abishag a Shunammite] The Hebrew has ' the Shunammite', as though she either was already, or from subsequent events became, well known. /a/ab'ishag.htm - 7k, Shunammite (8 Occurrences) (1) Abishag, who was brought to minister to the aged king David, love for whom led Adonijah to his doom (1 Kings 1:3, 15; 1 Kings 2:17, etc.). All rights reserved. 1 Kings 2:17 Commentaries: Then he said, "Please speak to Solomon the But David, it seems, has lost interest in governing. 2023