“Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.” ” 1 Kings 2:17 (NKJV)
Another woman in this morning’s devotional was Abishag. When David could not get warm enough with blankets, Abishag was brought into his bedroom to lay beside him to keep him warm. This was the custom in those days because two people together created more heat than just one person.
In today’s verse, David has died and Adonijah comes to Bathsheba with a request – to have the hand of Abishag as his wife. Bathsheba did not understand the ulterior motive behind the request, but only was trying to bring peace to the sons of David as they grieved his passing.
What was interesting was that before making the specific request, he bragged to her that the kingdom was actually his and all Israel expected him to become king instead of Soloman. Bathsheba was naive and went to Solomon with the request. She started off by pleading with Solomon to grant her request. Solomon loved his mother and like any good son, if it were within his power to do something good for his mother, he would do it without hesitation.
However, his response after hearing the request was so different. “… Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” 1 Kings 2:22 (NKJV)
Why would Solomon respond that way? Well, in their country at that time in history, when a widow of the king married, her new husband could step into the throne whenever the opportunity arose. In essence, Adonijah was announcing his intent to dethrone Solomon and become the official king of Israel. That was traitorous words.
We have two women here who were both being used by an enemy of God’s kingdom. Bathsheba because of her of her naivity and Abishag because of her position within the household of David. What can I learn from their story? The enemy of God can attempt to use my naivity or even just my position within God’s household to make traitorous actions against God’s Kingdom. I need to stand guard at all times and let the Holy Spirit lead me, guide me and protect me so I can be used only by God to bring glory to His name.
Listen to Katie Braswell as she sings “Glory to Our God.”
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 2/12/25, 5:00 pm