1 Kings 2:21

Arabic Bible Life (Targamet El Hayah) (LA)

فقالت: «زوج أدونيا أخاك من أبيشج الشونمية».

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes Bathsheba asking King Solomon to give Abishag the Shunammite as a wife to Adonijah, Solomon's brother. It shows the complex family dynamics and the practice of sharing concubines among brothers in that time.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your big sister asked your dad to share his favorite toy with your older brother. In this story, Bathsheba is asking Solomon to share a special person with his brother Adonijah, which was a custom back then.

Historical Background

The book of 1 Kings was likely written by multiple authors, including prophets like Jeremiah. This passage was written around 971 BC, during Solomon's reign. The audience was the Israelites, and the cultural setting included polygamy and the sharing of wives among brothers.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, a scenario could be when a parent asks another child to share a toy with a sibling. This teaches us about the importance of sharing and the complexities of family relationships.

Topics

• family
• sharing
• polygamy
• kingship
• Bible history
• Israelite culture

Related Verses

• 1 Kings 1:15
• 1 Kings 1:31
• 1 Kings 2:13
• 1 Kings 2:22
• 1 Kings 2:25

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Bathsheba ask Solomon to give Abishag to Adonijah?

Bathsheba likely wanted to ensure that Adonijah had a place in the royal family and possibly to maintain peace among the brothers.

What does this verse tell us about polygamy in ancient Israel?

It shows that polygamy was a common practice, where a man could have multiple wives, including sharing wives with his brothers.

How does this verse reflect the cultural norms of the time?

It reflects a time where sharing concubines among brothers was a cultural norm to solidify family ties and maintain peace.

What can we learn about Bathsheba from this verse?

Bathsheba appears to be a woman who understands the political and familial dynamics of the royal court and uses her influence to negotiate for her interests.