1 Kings 2:14
ESV
Then he said, "I have something to say to you." She said, "Speak."
NIV
Then he added, "I have something to say to you." "You may say it," she replied.
NASB
Then he said, 'I have something to say to you.' And she said, 'Speak.'
CSB
and then asked, "May I talk with you?" "Go ahead," she answered.
NLT
In fact, I have a favor to ask of you.' 'What is it?' she asked.
KJV
He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
NKJV
Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Say it.”
What does 1 Kings 2:14 mean?
Adonijah has come to Solomon's mother, Bathsheba, to tell her something. She's wary of even talking to him. She asks if he has come peacefully. After all, if Adonijah was king, she and Solomon would be dead (1 Kings 1:21). She was the first to tell David that Adonijah was claiming the crown, leading David to make Solomon king, instead (1 Kings 1:15–20, 28–40). Adonijah insists he's come peacefully (1 Kings 2:13), and Bathsheba agrees to hear him out.Adonijah is very intentional in his interaction with Bathsheba. He wants to say something; She tells him to "speak." He has a request; she tells him to "speak." He asks her to petition Solomon; she promises to "speak" (1 Kings 2:15–18).
It may be that Adonijah knows that if someone agrees to a small favor, they're more likely to agree to a large one. By getting Bathsheba to say, "Speak," he has convinced her to agree to a small favor. He repeats the tactic in verse 16. By the time he's ready to ask what he really wants—for her to petition Solomon on his behalf—she's in a more agreeable frame of mind (1 Kings 2:17–18).
Another possibility is that Bathsheba is wiser than she appears. She may be soothing Adonijah into his own undoing. It's possible she knows Adonijah is going to make a move for Solomon's crown, and all she has to do is encourage him so Solomon can take care of him. This follows the principle of the English expression "giving him enough rope to hang himself."
