Abishag אֲבִישַׁג
Beautiful Shunammite who served King David
Who is Abishag in the Bible?
Abishag was a beautiful young woman from Shunem chosen to care for King David in his final years (1 Kings 1:3). She served as his attendant and nurse, keeping him warm and attending to his physical needs, though the text indicates their relationship was not sexual (1 Kings 1:4). After David's death, his son Adonijah requested that King Solomon give Abishag to him as a wife (1 Kings 2:17), but Solomon interpreted this request as a challenge to his authority, since taking a former king's concubine was a symbolic claim to the throne (1 Kings 2:22). Solomon's angry response to Adonijah's request ultimately led to the prince's execution, making Abishag's role significant in the succession struggle between David's sons and the establishment of Solomon's kingship.
Biography
Abishag was a beautiful young woman from Shunem who was chosen to serve King David in his old age (1Ki.1.3). She was brought to the king to keep him warm and to attend to his needs, but David did not have sexual relations with her (1Ki.1.4).
After David's death, his son Adonijah, who had previously attempted to claim the throne, approached Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. He requested that she ask King Solomon to give him Abishag as his wife (1Ki.2.17). However, Solomon perceived this request as a challenge to his kingship, as taking the king's concubine was a symbolic claim to the throne (2Sa.16.21-22).
Solomon responded with anger, interpreting Adonijah's request as tantamount to asking for the kingdom itself. He vowed that Adonijah's request would cost him his life (1Ki.2.22-23). Subsequently, Solomon ordered Benaiah to execute Adonijah (1Ki.2.25). The incident with Abishag reveals the political intrigues and power struggles that occurred during the transition of power from David to Solomon. It also underscores the significance of the king's concubines in the context of royal succession in ancient Israel.
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Kings 5 verses
- 1 Kings 1:3
"Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king."
- 1 Kings 1:15
"So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him."
- 1 Kings 2:17
"Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”"
- 1 Kings 2:21
"So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”"
- 1 Kings 2:22
"King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִישַׁג |
Abishag
4">1Ki 1-4,15; 2:17,21,22). She was chosen for the service with great care on account of her youth and beauty and physical vigor. She ministered to the king, that is, waited on him as personal attendant and nurse. She also "cherished" him in his feebleness--gave to him through physical contact the advantage of her superabundant vitality. This was a mode of medical treatment recommended by the servants of the king, and it appears to have been not wholly unsuccessful. She had an intimate knowledge of the condition of David, and was present at the interview of Bathsheba with David which resulted in the placing of Solomon on the throne. If that act had been questioned she would have been a most important witness. 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. Adonijah sought Abishag in marriage. On the basis of this and of such other evidence as may supposably have been in his possession, Solomon put Adonijah to death as an intriguer.
Willis J. Beecher
ab'-i-shi, a-bi'-shi ('abhishai, in Ch 'abhshai; meaning is doubtful, probably "my father is Jesse," BDB): Son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and one of the three famous brothers, of whom Joab and Asahel were the other t