Abishag
“Father of error or my father wanders”
Summary
A beautiful young woman from Shunem who served as nurse and companion to the aged King David, and whose hand in marriage later cost Adonijah his life.
☩Service to David
When King David was old and could not keep warm even with many coverings, his servants searched throughout Israel for a young virgin to serve him. They found Abishag, a Shunammite of exceptional beauty, who ministered to him and provided warmth through physical contact—a form of medical treatment in ancient times. She became David's wife in name, but the marriage was never consummated. She was present at the interview between Bathsheba and David that resulted in Solomon being placed on the throne.
☩Adonijah's Fatal Request
After David's death, his eldest surviving son Adonijah asked Bathsheba to request from Solomon that Abishag be given to him as wife. Solomon interpreted this as an act of treason: in the ancient Near East, possession of a deceased king's wife or concubine implied a claim to the throne. Though Bathsheba may have thought the request innocent, Solomon saw through Adonijah's ambition and had him executed immediately.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Abishag," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Abishag," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).