SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:17
El entonces dijo: Yo te ruego que hables al rey Salomón (porque él no te hará volver tu rostro) para que me dé a Abisag sunamita por mujer.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:17
Verse 17. That he give me Abishag-to wife.] He cheerfully gives up all right to the kingdom, and only desires to have this young woman, who, though she had been his father's wife or concubine, was still in a state of virginity. Some think that Joab and Abiathar had advised Adonijah to make this application, not doubting, if he got Abishag, that the popular tide would again turn in his favour, and that Solomon, whom they did not like, might soon be deposed; and that it was on this account that Solomon was so severe. But there is little evidence to support these conjectures. It does not appear that Adonijah by desiring to have Abishag had any thought of the kingdom, or of maintaining any right to it, though Solomon appears to have understood him in this sense. But without farther evidence, this was a flimsy pretext to imbrue his hands in a brother's blood. The fable of the wolf and lamb is here very applicable, and the old English proverb not less so: It is an easy thing to find a staff to beat a dog with. We readily find an excuse for whatever we are determined to do. He who attempts to varnish over this conduct of Solomon by either state necessity or a Divine command, is an enemy, in my mind, to the cause of God and truth. See on ver. 25.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. And he said, speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king , etc.] He owns him to be king, and which he the rather did to engage her to take his suit in hand, and to cover his design: for he will not say thee nay ; or turn away thy face, or deny thy request; she being his mother, for whom he had a great affection, and to whom he was under obligation on all accounts: that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife ; which was contrary to the law of God, ( Leviticus 18:8); which surely Adonijah must have been ignorant of, and Bathsheba likewise; or the one would never have made such a request, nor the other have undertaken to try to obtain it; but perhaps they did not take her to be David’s wife, or the marriage to be consummated, because he knew her not: but yet not being returned to her father’s house, and being at the dispose of Solomon, prove that she must be a concubine wife, and which became the property of the next heir and successor; (see 2 Samuel 12:8); nor did Adonijah apply to her or her friends; which, if he was really in love with her, he would have done, if at her own or their disposal; but this he knew, that she was solely at the disposal of Solomon, to whom he did not care to apply himself, but makes use of his mother.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-25 - Solomon received Bathsheba with all the respect that was owing to mother; but let none be asked for that which they ought not to grant It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to appear in bad cause. According to eastern customs it was plain that Adonija sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as his wife, and Solomo could not be safe while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonl prepare death for themselves. Many a head has been lost by catching a a crown.
Original Hebrew
ויאמר 559 אמרי 559 נא 4994 לשׁלמה 8010 המלך 4428 כי 3588 לא 3808 ישׁיב 7725 את 853 פניך 6440 ויתן 5414 לי את 853 אבישׁג 49 השׁונמית 7767 לאשׁה׃ 802
