1 Kings 2:22 net — King Solomon answered his mother,“Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you sh…

NET Bible

"King Solomon answered his mother,“Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”"

— 1 Kings 2:22, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

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1 Kings 2:22 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”

  • ASV

    “And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. ”

  • WEB

    “King Solomon answered his mother, "Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? 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."”

  • DRB

    “And king Solomon answered, and said to his mother: Why dost thou ask Abisag, the Sunamitess, for Adonias? ask for him also the kingdom; for he is my elder brother, and hath Abiathar, the priest, and Joab, the son of Sarvia.”

  • BBE

    “Then King Solomon made answer and said to his mother, Why are you requesting me to give Abishag the Shunammite to Adonijah? Take the kingdom for him in addition, for he is my older brother, and Abiathar the priest and Joab, the son of Zeruiah, are on his side.”

  • KJVA

    “And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”

1 Kings 2 — Context

19

So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand.

20

She said,“I would like to ask you for just one small favor. Please don’t refuse me.” He said,“Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.”

21

She said,“Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.”

22

King Solomon answered his mother,“Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

23

King Solomon then swore an oath by the LORD,“May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life!

24

Now, as certainly as the LORD lives(he who made me secure, allowed me to sit on my father David’s throne, and established a dynasty for me as he promised), Adonijah will be executed today!”

25

King Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah.

1 Kings 2:22 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Kings 2:22 say?
1 Kings 2:22 in the NET Bible reads: “King Solomon answered his mother,“Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!””
Where is 1 Kings 2:22 in the Bible?
1 Kings 2:22 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Kings, chapter 2, verse 22.
Who wrote 1 Kings?
1 Kings is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jeremiah). It was written c. 561–538 BC.
What is the book of 1 Kings about?
1 Kings tells of Solomon's wisdom and the building of the temple, then the painful division of the kingdom after his death. The northern kingdom plunges into idolatry under a series of wicked kings until the prophet Elijah is raised up to call Israel back to the LORD.
What are the major themes of 1 Kings?
1 Kings explores themes including Wisdom, Temple, Divided Kingdom, Idolatry, Prophecy. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Kings 2:22.
What translation should I read 1 Kings 2:22 in?
1 Kings 2:22 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Kings 2:22?
1 Kings 2:22 reads (NET): “King Solomon answered his mother,“Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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