1 Kings 1:3

Translations

Modern

Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

Traditional

So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

Literal

And they sought a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and they found Abishag the Shunammitess and brought her to the king.

Latin

Quæsierunt igitur adolescentulam speciosam in omnibus finibus Israël, et invenerunt Abisag Sunamitidem, et adduxerunt eam ad regem.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

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

Joshua 19:18
Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
Esther 2:4
Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.
Esther 2:2
Then the king’s attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king,
2 Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
1 Samuel 28:4
The Philistines gathered together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.
2 Kings 4:25
So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman.
1 Kings 2:17–25
Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”

People

Abishag: Beautiful Shunammite who served King David Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Shunammites: People from Shunem; includes Abishag and the Shunammite woman

Glossary

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

Topics

Abishag: Wife of David David: King of Israel: Marries Abishag Diplomacy by Intermarriage with Other Nations Shunammite: A Person from the City of Shunem: Abishag, the Girl Who Took Care of David Shunem: A Girl Found At, to Take Care of David

1 Kings 1:3

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