1 Kings 1:2

Translations

Modern

So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.”

Traditional

Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

Literal

And his servants said to him, “Let them seek for our lord the king a young woman, a virgin, and let her stand before the face of the king, and let her care for him, and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.”

Latin

Dixerunt ergo ei servi sui: Quæramus domino nostro regi adolescentulam virginem, et stet coram rege, et foveat eum, dormiatque in sinu suo, et calefaciat dominum nostrum regem.

Original

Hebrew

English

So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.”

Notes

1 Kings 1:1–3

David was seventy years old (2 Samuel 5:4–5). He was weak, likely due to years of war and stress. He needed a young person to provide warmth. This was a medical remedy also mentioned in Josephus’s Antiquities and by the Greek doctor Galen. David's weakening strength encouraged Adonijah to try to make himself king.

1 Kings 1:1–2:12

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Bathsheba David Solomon

Related verses

Ecclesiastes 4:11
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?
Genesis 16:5
Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be upon you! I delivered my servant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me.”
Micah 7:5
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
1 Samuel 16:21–22
When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer.
2 Samuel 12:3
…but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.
Deuteronomy 13:6
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known,
Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.
2 Chronicles 29:11
Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”

Glossary

Abishag Adonijah Bathsheba Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Shulammite Solomon (Person)

Topics

Abishag: Wife of David Benaiah: Son of Jehoiada, Commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites: Loyal to Solomon David: King of Israel: Marries Abishag Diplomacy by Intermarriage with Other Nations

1 Kings 1:2

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