1 Kings 1 King James Version (KJV)
SOLOMON IS MADE KING
“Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. 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. So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.”
- 1 King 1:1-4 (KJV)
“King David was old and stricken in years:” This was the twilight of a glorious reign. David was now so old that he could not even keep himself warm, much less rule the nation. David was about 70 at this time. He seems even older than his years; but for David, it wasn't just the years-it was the mileage. He seemed to live the lives of four or five men in his lifetime.
“Let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.” This sounds strange, perhaps even immoral to us, but this was proper of David to allow. This did not bring a moral cloud over the last days of David's life.
According to historical and biblical scholars, it was proper because it was a recognized medical treatment in the ancient world, mentioned by the ancient Greek doctor Galen.
It was also proper because David almost certainly made this young woman his concubine. While it was unwise for David to take more than one wife, it was not at that time illegal or specifically prohibited by God. Later, Adonijah would condemn himself to death by asking for Abishag as a wife. His request would only be so outrageous if Abishag had belonged to David as a concubine.
Therefore, according to Hebrew law, they chose someone eligible for marriage or concubinage, “a young virgin,” and “a fair damsel.” "And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.”
She “cherished the king:” This scene of David's diminished ability shows that question of David's successor had to be addressed. King David could not last much longer, and his family history had been marked by treachery and murder. At this point, it was worth wondering if there could be a bloodless transition from David to the next king.
Christian brothers and sisters, aren’t you thankful that our Ultimate King’s throne is in heaven, and his ownership of the throne was paid by His blood, not ours.
God bless!
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