1 Kings 1:15
ESV
So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king).
NIV
So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him.
NASB
So Bathsheba entered to the king in the bedroom. Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.
CSB
So Bathsheba went to the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was attending to him.
NLT
So Bathsheba went into the king’s bedroom. (He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him.)
KJV
And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
NKJV
So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.)
What does 1 Kings 1:15 mean?
David is old and so infirm that it seems he doesn't leave his personal chambers. His servants have found Abishag, a beautiful young woman, to serve David and to lie in bed with him when he gets too cold (1 Kings 1:1–4).Just outside Jerusalem's southern wall, David's son Adonijah is preparing to declare himself king. He has the support of the military commander Joab, the priest Abiathar, the elders of Judah, and most of David's sons (1 Kings 1:5–10). The prophet Nathan knows this isn't David's plan. He probably knows it's not God's plan. He's called on Bathsheba to push David to officially crown her son Solomon (1 Kings 1:11–14).
David has many wives and concubines, but his relationship with Bathsheba seems special. She has had more of his children than any other wife listed. It seems he genuinely cares for her (2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Chronicles 3:5). It can't be easy for her to see him so weak.
If David doesn't hear her, her life and Solomon's will be in danger. She bows to him. He asks her what she desires. She reminds him of his promise that her son would be king. She tells him of the betrayal occurring right outside the city. He doesn't have much time. If he wants Solomon to be king and doesn't want him executed as a rival, David must act now (1 Kings 1:16–20).
David still has strength. By the end of the day, Solomon is king, and Adonijah submits.
