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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 1:2 So his servants said to him, "Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/1-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/11_1Ki_01_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 1:2 - Abishag Cares for David" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So his servants said to him, Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm." /><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/1-2.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/1-2.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 2</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="/ad2.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/1-1.htm" title="1 Kings 1:1">◄</a> 1 Kings 1:2 <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm" title="1 Kings 1:3">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/1_kings/1.htm">New International Version</a> So his attendants said to him, &#8220Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.” <a href="/esv/1_kings/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, that my lord the king may be warm.” <a href="/bsb/1_kings/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.” <a href="/kjv/1_kings/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So his servants said to him, “Have them search for a young virgin for my lord the king, and have her attend the king and become his nurse; and have her lie on your chest, so that my lord the king may keep warm.” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> So his servants said to him, &#8220Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her attend the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So his servants said to him, “Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her attend the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So his servants said to him, “Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her stand before the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” <a href="/amp/1_kings/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be found for my lord the king and let her attend him and become his nurse; let her lie against your chest, so that my lord the king may feel warm.” <a href="/csb/1_kings/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for my lord the king. She is to attend the king and be his caregiver. She is to lie by your side so that my lord the king will get warm.” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So his servants said to him: &#8220Let us search for a young virgin for my lord the king. She is to attend the king and be his caregiver. She is to lie by your side so that my lord the king will get warm.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. <a href="/cev/1_kings/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> His officials said, "Your Majesty, we will look for a young woman to take care of you. She can lie down beside you and keep you warm." <a href="/erv/1_kings/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> His officials told him, "Your Majesty, let us search for a young woman who has never been married. She can stay with you and be your servant. She can lie in your arms and keep you warm." <a href="/gnt/1_kings/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> So his officials said to him, "Your Majesty, let us find a young woman to stay with you and take care of you. She will lie close to you and keep you warm." <a href="/isv/1_kings/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> so his servants suggested to him, "Let's look for a young virgin woman to take care of you, your majesty. She will be of use to you if you have her lie down near you so that your majesty may keep warm." <a href="/msb/1_kings/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So his servants said to him, ?Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.? <a href="/net/1_kings/1.htm">NET Bible</a> His servants advised him, "A young virgin must be found for our master, the king, to take care of the king's needs and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with you and keep our master, the king, warm." <a href="/nheb/1_kings/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore his servants said to him, "Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin. And let her attend the king, and care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm." <a href="/wbt/1_kings/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Wherefore his servants said to him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. <a href="/web/1_kings/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and his servants say to him, “Let them seek [for] a young woman, a virgin, for my lord the king, and she has stood before the king, and is a companion to him, and has lain in your bosom, and my lord the king has heat.” <a href="/ylt/1_kings/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and his servants say to him, 'Let them seek for my lord the king a young woman, a virgin, and she hath stood before the king, and is to him a companion, and hath lain in thy bosom, and my lord the king hath heat.' <a href="/slt/1_kings/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And his servants will say to him, They shall seek for my lord the king a girl, a virgin, and she standing before the king, and she shall be to him an associate, and lying in thy bosom, and it shall be warm to my lord the king.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> His servants therefore said to him: Let us seek for our lord the king, a young virgin, and let her stand before the king, and cherish him, and sleep in his bosom, and warm our lord the king. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, his servants said to him: “Let us seek, for our lord the king, a young virgin. And let her stand before the king, and warm him, and sleep in his bosom, and provide warmth for our lord the king.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/1.htm">New American Bible</a> His servants therefore said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought to attend my lord the king, and to nurse him. If she sleeps with you, my lord the king will be warm.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king, and be his attendant; let her lie in your bosom, so that my lord the king may be warm.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Wherefore his servants said to him, Behold, your servants are before you, let them seek for our lord the king a young virgin; and let her wait upon the king, and let her minister to him, and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may get warm. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> His Servants said to him: “Behold your Servants before you will seek our Lord the King a virgin girl and she shall stand before the King and she shall be a Servant for him and she will lie down in your bosom and she will warm our Lord the King.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Wherefore his servants said unto him: 'Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin; and let her stand before the king, and be a companion unto him; and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And his servants said, Let them seek for the king a young virgin, and she shall wait on the king, and cherish him, and lie with him, and my lord the king shall be warmed. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/1-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/1.htm">Abishag Cares for David</a> 1Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. 2<a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">So his servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: yə·ḇaq·šū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">“Let us search for</a> <a href="/hebrew/5291.htm" title="5291: na·‘ă·rāh (N-fs) -- A girl, maiden. Feminine of na'ar; a girl.">a young</a> <a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: ḇə·ṯū·lāh (N-fs) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">virgin</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: la·ḏō·nî (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">for our lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: wə·‘ā·mə·ḏāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">to attend</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: ū·ṯə·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Jus-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and</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.">care</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">for him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: wə·šā·ḵə·ḇāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">and lie</a> <a href="/hebrew/2436.htm" title="2436: ḇə·ḥê·qe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Bosom. Or cheq; and chowq; from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom.">by his side</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: la·ḏō·nî (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">to keep him</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2552.htm" title="2552: wə·ḥam (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To be or become warm. A primitive root; to be hot.">warm.”</a> 3Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_samuel/5-4.htm">2 Samuel 5:4</a> David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. <a href="/1_kings/2-22.htm">1 Kings 2:22</a> 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!” <a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2-4</a> 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. / 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.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. <a href="/1_kings/2-17.htm">1 Kings 2:17</a> Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” <a href="/1_kings/2-21.htm">1 Kings 2:21-22</a> So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.” / 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!” <a href="/1_kings/2-13.htm">1 Kings 2:13-25</a> Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. ... <a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm">1 Samuel 16:12</a> 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.” <a href="/1_samuel/28-23.htm">1 Samuel 28:23</a> Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed. <a href="/2_samuel/13-1.htm">2 Samuel 13:1-2</a> After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom. / Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her. <a href="/2_samuel/3-7.htm">2 Samuel 3:7</a> Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” <a href="/2_samuel/16-21.htm">2 Samuel 16:21-22</a> Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. <a href="/genesis/24-16.htm">Genesis 24:16</a> 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. <a href="/genesis/24-67.htm">Genesis 24:67</a> And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death. <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Genesis 39:6</a> 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, <a href="/esther/2-2.htm">Esther 2:2-4</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Why his servants said to him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.<a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Deuteronomy 10:8</a> At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.<a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21,22</a> And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer… <a href="/2_chronicles/29-11.htm">2 Chronicles 29:11</a> My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.<a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Genesis 16:5</a> And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.<a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">Deuteronomy 13:6</a> If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;<a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm">2 Samuel 12:3</a> But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.get heat<a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11</a> Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/20-4.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-8.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-37.htm">Care</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-28.htm">Cherish</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-11.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-21.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Maiden</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-19.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-20.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-2.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-12.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-18.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-30.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">Warm</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-21.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-4.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/23-32.htm">Attend</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">Care</a> <a href="/job/36-13.htm">Cherish</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-37.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-16.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Maiden</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-9.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-21.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-2.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-34.htm">Warm</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-6.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 1</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">Abishag cherishes David in his extreme age</a> 5. <a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm">Adonijah, David's darling, usurps the kingdom</a> 11. <a href="/1_kings/1-11.htm">By the council of Nathan</a> 15. <a href="/1_kings/1-15.htm">Bathsheba moves the king</a> 22. <a href="/1_kings/1-22.htm">And Nathan seconds her</a> 28. <a href="/1_kings/1-28.htm">David renews his oath to Bathsheba</a> 32. <a href="/1_kings/1-32.htm">Solomon, by David's appointment, </a> 38. <a href="/1_kings/1-38.htm">being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people triumph</a> 41. <a href="/1_kings/1-41.htm">Jonathan bringing the news, Adonijah's guests fly</a> 50. <a href="/1_kings/1-50.htm">Adonijah, flying to the horns of the altar, is dismissed by Solomon</a> </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'; 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The servants mentioned here are likely his royal attendants or advisors, who are concerned about the king's well-being. This reflects the common practice in ancient Near Eastern courts where servants played a significant role in the daily life and care of the king. The servants' initiative indicates their loyalty and the importance of maintaining the king's health for the stability of the kingdom.“Let us search for a young virgin The search for a young virgin was a customary practice in ancient times, often for reasons of purity and health. Virgins were considered to have a certain vitality and purity that could be beneficial in therapeutic contexts. This practice is not unique to Israel and can be seen in other ancient cultures. The emphasis on her being a virgin also underscores the cultural importance of purity and the role of women in royal service.for our lord the king, Referring to David as "our lord the king" highlights the respect and reverence his servants have for him, despite his old age and frailty. This title underscores David's continued authority and the loyalty of his subjects. It also reflects the hierarchical structure of the society, where the king was seen as God's anointed and held a central role in the nation's identity and governance.to attend to him and care for him The role of attending and caring for the king was crucial, especially in his old age. This care would include providing physical warmth, companionship, and possibly medical attention. The mention of care indicates the servants' concern for David's comfort and well-being, which was essential for the stability of the kingdom. This also reflects the broader biblical theme of serving and caring for others, as seen in the New Testament teachings of Jesus.and lie by his side to keep him warm.” In the ancient Near East, body heat was a practical method for providing warmth, especially in the absence of modern heating. The act of lying beside the king was not intended for sexual purposes but rather for health and comfort. This practice is indicative of the intimate, yet non-sexual, service roles that women could hold in royal courts. The need to keep David warm also symbolizes his frailty and the transition of power that is about to occur, setting the stage for Solomon's rise to the throne.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/k/king_david.htm">King David</a> The aging king of Israel, who is experiencing physical weakness and needs care. 2. <a href="/topical/s/servants_of_king_david.htm">Servants of King David</a> The individuals who suggest finding a young virgin to care for the king. 3. <a href="/topical/y/young_virgin.htm">Young Virgin</a> A proposed solution to attend to King David, providing warmth and care. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where King David resides and where these events take place. 5. <a href="/topical/a/abishag_the_shunammite.htm">Abishag the Shunammite</a> Although not mentioned in this specific verse, she is the young virgin chosen to care for David, introduced in the following verses.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_care_in_old_age.htm">The Importance of Care in Old Age</a> As King David aged, he required assistance, reminding us of the importance of caring for the elderly in our communities and families. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_practices_and_solutions.htm">Cultural Practices and Solutions</a> The suggestion to find a young virgin reflects cultural norms of the time. Understanding these practices helps us interpret biblical accounts within their historical context. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_through_people.htm">God's Provision through People</a> God often provides for our needs through others, as seen in the servants' initiative to care for David. We should be open to both giving and receiving help. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_servants_and_advisors.htm">The Role of Servants and Advisors</a> The servants' proactive approach highlights the value of wise and caring advisors in leadership and personal life. <a href="/topical/p/physical_and_emotional_needs.htm">Physical and Emotional Needs</a> The passage underscores the importance of addressing both physical and emotional needs, as David required warmth and companionship.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 1</a> <a href="/q/how_are_2_chr_18_and_1_kgs_22_inerrant.htm">Comparing 2 Chronicles 18 with 1 Kings 22, how can both accounts be inerrant if they present varying details about the same event?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_2_chron_10_differ_from_1_kings_12.htm">(2 Chronicles 10) Why do some details in this chapter differ from or omit parts of the parallel account in 1 Kings 12?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_elijah's_prophecy_on_ahaziah.htm">In 2 Kings 1:4, what historical proof exists, if any, to validate Elijah's prophecy regarding Ahaziah's death and the timing of his fall?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_jehu_praised_yet_condemned.htm">How do we reconcile Hosea 1:4-5 with 2 Kings 10:30, where Jehu is commended, yet here his dynasty is condemned?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - Wherefore [Heb. and] his servants [according to Josephus (Antiq. 7:14, 3), his physicians] said unto him, Let there be sought [lit. as marg., "let them seek"] for my lord the king [the singular pronoun is used as representing the servant who was spokesman for the rest] a young virgin [marg., "a damsel, a virgin." She must be young, to impart heat, and a virgin, as befitted a king. Though she was recommended as a nurse, they would naturally suppose she might be taken as a concubine] and let her stand before the king [i.e., as servant (Ver. 4). Cf. <a href="/1_kings/12-6.htm">1 Kings 12:6, 8</a>; <a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">Genesis 41:46</a>; <a href="/daniel/1-5.htm">Daniel 1:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/1-38.htm">Deuteronomy 1:38</a> (with <a href="/joshua/1-1.htm">Joshua 1:1</a>) <a href="/1_kings/10-8.htm">1 Kings 10:8</a>. In the East, servants still stand and wait their masters' pleasure. Cf. <a href="/2_kings/5-25.htm">2 Kings 5:25</a>], and let her cherish him [So also the LXX., καὶ ἔσται αὐτὸν θάλπουσα. But Gesenius, al, "be a companion to him"] and let her lie in thy [or "his," LXX. αυτοῦ, Vulg. sue] bosom [the expression is generally, but not invariably (see <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">1 Kings 3:20</a>; <a href="/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16</a>) used de complexu venereo] that my lord the king may get heat. [This close embrace of youth was an obvious way of imparting animal heat to age ("Color a corpore juvenili ac sane maxime prodest senibus." Grotius), and was the more favoured because other and internal remedies were not then known. It is recognized by Galen, and is said to have been prescribed by a Jewish physician to the Emperor Frederick Bar-baressa (Bahr). It is stated by Roberts that it is still largely followed in the East.] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/1-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So his servants עֲבָדָ֗יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant said וַיֹּ֧אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to him, ל֣וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> “Let us search for יְבַקְשׁ֞וּ (yə·ḇaq·šū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after a young נַעֲרָ֣ה (na·‘ă·rāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5291.htm">Strong's 5291: </a> A girl, maiden virgin בְתוּלָ֔ה (ḇə·ṯū·lāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> A virgin, sometimes, a bride for our lord לַאדֹנִ֤י (la·ḏō·nî) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> Sovereign, controller the king, הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king to attend וְעָֽמְדָה֙ (wə·‘ā·mə·ḏāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> To stand, in various relations to לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face [him] הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king and וּתְהִי־ (ū·ṯə·hî-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be care סֹכֶ֑נֶת (sō·ḵe·neṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5532.htm">Strong's 5532: </a> To be familiar with, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary for him ל֖וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and lie וְשָׁכְבָ֣ה (wə·šā·ḵə·ḇāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> To lie down by his side בְחֵיקֶ֔ךָ (ḇə·ḥê·qe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2436.htm">Strong's 2436: </a> The bosom {to keep} him לַאדֹנִ֥י (la·ḏō·nî) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> Sovereign, controller warm.” וְחַ֖ם (wə·ḥam) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2552.htm">Strong's 2552: </a> To be or become warm <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/1-2.htm">1 Kings 1:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-2.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 1:2 Therefore his servants said to him Let (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 1:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 1:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 1:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 1:3" /></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>