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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 1:4 The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/1-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/11_1Ki_01_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 1:4 - Abishag Cares for David" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_kings/1-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_kings/1-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_kings/">1 Kings</a> > <a href="/1_kings/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm" title="1 Kings 1:3">◄</a> 1 Kings 1:4 <a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm" title="1 Kings 1:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the damsel <i>was</i> very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The young woman <i>was</i> very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The girl was very beautiful; and she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not become intimate with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The girl was very beautiful; and she became the king&#8217s nurse and served him, but the king did not cohabit with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the girl was very beautiful; and she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not cohabit with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now the young woman was very beautiful; and she became the king’s nurse and attended him, but the king did not know her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The girl was very beautiful; and she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king was not intimate with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The girl was of unsurpassed beauty, and she became the king’s caregiver. She attended to him, but he was not intimate with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The girl was of unsurpassed beauty, and she became the king&#8217s caregiver. She served him, but he was not intimate with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the damsel was very fair; and she cherished the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the damsel was very fair; and she cherished the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The woman was very beautiful. She became the king's servant and took care of him, but the king did not make love to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />She was very beautiful, and waited on the king and took care of him, but he did not have intercourse with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The young woman was absolutely beautiful. She served the king and was very useful to him. The king was not sexually involved with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The young woman was very beautiful; she became the king's nurse and served him, but the king did not have sexual relations with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The young woman was very beautiful; and she became the king's attendant and served him; but the king did not know her intimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the young woman [is] very, very beautiful, and she is a companion to the king, and serves him, and the king has not known her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the young woman is very very fair, and she is to the king a companion, and serveth him, and the king hath not known her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the girl fair, even exceedingly, and she will be to the king an associate, and she will serve him: and the king knew her not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the damsel was exceeding beautiful, and she slept with the king: and served him, but the king did not know her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now the girl was exceedingly beautiful. And she slept with the king, and she ministered to him. Yet truly, the king did not know her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The girl was very beautiful indeed, and she nursed the king and took care of him. But the king did not have relations with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The girl was very beautiful. She became the king’s attendant and served him, but the king did not know her sexually.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the maiden was very beautiful, and she became the king's attendant and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the young girl was very beautiful in her appearance and she was a Servant for the King and she was waiting on him, and the King did not know her sexually.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the damsel was very fair; and she became a companion unto the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the damsel was extremely beautiful, and she cherished the king, and ministered to him, but the king knew her not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/1-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=28" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/1.htm">Abishag Cares for David</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5291.htm" title="5291: wə·han·na·‘ă·rāh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- A girl, maiden. Feminine of na'ar; a girl.">The girl</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">was unsurpassed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3303.htm" title="3303: yā·p̄āh (Adj-fs) -- Fair, beautiful. From yaphah; beautiful.">in beauty;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tə·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">she</a> <a href="/hebrew/5532.htm" title="5532: sō·ḵe·neṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary.">cared</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: lam·me·leḵ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">for the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/8334.htm" title="8334: wat·tə·šā·rə·ṯê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To minister, serve. A primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to.">and served him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: wə·ham·me·leḵ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">but he</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">had no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yə·ḏā·‘āh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">relations with her.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm">1 Samuel 16:12</a></span><br />So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/2-2.htm">Esther 2:2-4</a></span><br />Then the king’s attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king, / and let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom to assemble all the beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women, and let them be given beauty treatments. / Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2</a></span><br />One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-16.htm">Genesis 24:16</a></span><br />Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-1.htm">2 Samuel 13:1</a></span><br />After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3</a></span><br />His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-27.htm">2 Samuel 14:27</a></span><br />Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Genesis 39:6</a></span><br />So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">1 Samuel 9:2</a></span><br />And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-3.htm">2 Samuel 11:3</a></span><br />So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">1 Samuel 16:18</a></span><br />One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-23.htm">1 Samuel 25:23</a></span><br />When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-42.htm">1 Samuel 25:42</a></span><br />So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-14.htm">1 Samuel 28:14</a></span><br />“What does he look like?” asked Saul. “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.” So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-18.htm">1 Samuel 25:18</a></span><br />Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.</p><p class="hdg">knew her not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/1-25.htm">Matthew 1:25</a></b></br> And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Beautiful</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-2.htm">Care</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-15.htm">Cherished</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-2.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Damsel</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Fair</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Girl</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-17.htm">Intimate</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Intimately</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-4.htm">King's</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Lady</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Maiden</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-17.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-2.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-19.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-44.htm">Served</a> <a href="/joshua/24-31.htm">Serveth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-3.htm">Times</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-9.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-17.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/20-3.htm">Beautiful</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-21.htm">Care</a> <a href="/job/17-11.htm">Cherished</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-2.htm">Damsel</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-27.htm">Fair</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-2.htm">Girl</a> <a href="/job/19-14.htm">Intimate</a> <a href="/psalms/139-3.htm">Intimately</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-9.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/2-4.htm">Lady</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-2.htm">Maiden</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-15.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-21.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-12.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-21.htm">Served</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-53.htm">Serveth</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-4.htm">Times</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-38.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-15.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">Abishag cherishes David in his extreme age</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm">Adonijah, David's darling, usurps the kingdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-11.htm">By the council of Nathan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-15.htm">Bathsheba moves the king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-22.htm">And Nathan seconds her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-28.htm">David renews his oath to Bathsheba</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-32.htm">Solomon, by David's appointment, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-38.htm">being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people triumph</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-41.htm">Jonathan bringing the news, Adonijah's guests fly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/1-50.htm">Adonijah, flying to the horns of the altar, is dismissed by Solomon</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The girl was unsurpassed in beauty;</b><br>This phrase introduces Abishag the Shunammite, highlighting her exceptional beauty. In biblical times, physical beauty was often noted as a significant attribute, as seen with figures like Sarah, Rebekah, and Esther. Abishag's beauty is emphasized to underscore her suitability for the role she was to play in King David's court. The mention of her beauty also sets the stage for later events involving Adonijah's request to marry her, which Solomon interprets as a political maneuver (<a href="/1_kings/2-22.htm">1 Kings 2:22</a>). The Shunammite origin suggests she was from Shunem, a town in the territory of Issachar, which is in the northern part of Israel, indicating the widespread recognition of her beauty.<p><b>she cared for the king and served him,</b><br>Abishag's role was to care for King David in his old age, providing warmth and companionship. This reflects the cultural practices of the time, where a young woman might be brought in to serve an elderly or ailing king. Her service was likely multifaceted, involving personal care and attending to the king's needs. This role is reminiscent of the care provided by Ruth to Naomi, highlighting themes of loyalty and service. The use of the term "served" indicates a position of humility and dedication, which is a recurring theme in Scripture, pointing to the ideal of servanthood exemplified by Jesus Christ (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>).<p><b>but he had no relations with her.</b><br>This clarifies that the relationship between David and Abishag was not sexual, which is significant given the cultural context where kings often had multiple wives and concubines. The statement preserves David's integrity in his final days and distinguishes Abishag's role from that of a concubine. This detail is crucial in understanding the later political implications when Adonijah seeks to marry Abishag, as it would have been seen as a claim to the throne. The restraint shown by David here can be contrasted with his earlier life, where his relationships with women led to significant personal and political turmoil (2 Samuel 11). This phrase underscores the theme of purity and the importance of intentions in relationships, aligning with biblical teachings on sexual morality.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_david.htm">King David</a></b><br>The aging king of Israel, who is in need of care due to his frailty.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abishag_the_shunammite.htm">Abishag the Shunammite</a></b><br>A young and beautiful woman chosen to care for King David in his old age.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shunem.htm">Shunem</a></b><br>The town from which Abishag hails, located in the territory of Issachar.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_royal_court.htm">The Royal Court</a></b><br>The setting where the events unfold, highlighting the political and personal dynamics at play.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_succession_crisis.htm">The Succession Crisis</a></b><br>The broader context of the chapter, where the question of who will succeed David as king is a pressing issue.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_service.htm">The Role of Service</a></b><br>Abishag's role highlights the importance of serving others, especially those in need. In our lives, we are called to serve with humility and dedication.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/beauty_and_purpose.htm">Beauty and Purpose</a></b><br>While Abishag's beauty is noted, her primary role is one of service. This teaches us that external beauty should not overshadow our purpose and calling in life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_and_integrity.htm">Purity and Integrity</a></b><br>Despite the potential for scandal, the text emphasizes that David "had no relations with her." This underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and purity in relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/aging_and_vulnerability.htm">Aging and Vulnerability</a></b><br>David's need for care in his old age reminds us of the vulnerability that comes with aging and the importance of caring for the elderly in our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a></b><br>The broader context of the succession crisis shows that God is ultimately in control of leadership transitions, and we should trust His timing and choices.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_david's_old_age_account_credible.htm">How credible is the account of David’s old age and his inability to stay warm in 1 Kings 1:1–4, given the practice of using a young attendant for warmth? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_adonijah's_death_justified.htm">If 1 Kings 2:13–25 shows Adonijah requesting Abishag only as a bride, why is his death seen as justifiable, and does this conflict with any moral standards presented in earlier biblical texts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abishag_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Abishag in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_cared_for_old_king_david.htm">Who cared for King David in his old age?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the damsel was very fair</span> [lit. <span class="accented">,fair to exceeding</span>] <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>and cherished</span> [see on ver. 2] <span class="cmt_word">the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not.</span> [This is mentioned to explain the history of <a href="/1_kings/2-13.htm">1 Kings 2:13-25</a>. Had it been otherwise, Adonijah could never have presumed to seek her in marriage, and Bathsheba would never have promised her help in his suit. Such an incestuous alliance would not only have been contrary to the law (<a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8</a>), but abhorrent to all true Israelites (cf. <a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1</a>). In this fact, which the court knew, and which the nation at large did not know - <span class="accented">they</span> could only suppose that such a "search" for one so exceeding "fair" meant the increase of the seraglio - Adoni-jah found his <span class="accented">point d'appui</span> for a second attempt on the throne. The older expositors and some of the modern, notably Wordsworth, assume that Abishag was David's wife, in the sense of being legally married to him. (Corn. A Lap. discusses the question at considerable length, and with needless pruriency.) But this idea finds no support in Scripture, which represents her as simply an attendant. It is idle to remark, consequently, that "the Jewish law allowed polygamy" (Rawlinson). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/1-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The girl</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·han·na·‘ă·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5291.htm">Strong's 5291: </a> </span><span class="str2">A girl, maiden</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was unsurpassed</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in beauty,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָפָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(yā·p̄āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3303.htm">Strong's 3303: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fair, beautiful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and she</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּהִ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cared</span><br /><span class="heb">סֹכֶ֙נֶת֙</span> <span class="translit">(sō·ḵe·neṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5532.htm">Strong's 5532: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be familiar with, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the king</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמֶּ֤לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lam·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and served him,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּשָׁ֣רְתֵ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·šā·rə·ṯê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8334.htm">Strong's 8334: </a> </span><span class="str2">To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but he</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">relations with her.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְדָעָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 1:4 The young lady was very beautiful (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 1:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 1:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 1:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 1:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>