1 kings 2:20 - Then she said, “I ask one small petition of you; don’t deny me.” The king said to her, “Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 kings 2:20" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 2:20, depicts a scene where Bathsheba, King Solomon's mother, is approaching him with a request. Let's break it down:
"Then she said, “I ask one small petition of you; don’t deny me.”" Bathsheba is being diplomatic and respectful. She anticipates that her request might be difficult or unusual, so she softens the approach by:
Calling it a "small petition" to minimize its perceived importance.
Imploring him not to deny her in advance, appealing to their familial bond and perhaps past good relations. She's essentially asking for a favorable hearing before he even knows what she wants.
"The king said to her, “Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you.”" Solomon responds favorably to his mother's plea. His words indicate:
Respect for her as his mother, addressing her with that title.
A strong commitment to honor her request. He assures her he will not deny her before hearing the petition, demonstrating a high degree of deference and affection (or perhaps political savvy).
Meaning & Context
The verse itself is straightforward in its literal meaning: Bathsheba asks Solomon to grant her request and Solomon promises to do so. However, understanding its significance requires a bit more context:
The Request Matters: The key to the verse's importance lies in what Bathsheba actually asks for. In the following verses (1 Kings 2:21-25), she asks Solomon to give Abishag the Shunammite to Adonijah as wife. Adonijah was Solomon's half-brother who had previously tried to usurp the throne.
Political Implications: Solomon's seemingly generous promise to his mother turns into a calculated political move when he understands the full implications of the request. Abishag had been King David's concubine, and according to custom, a claim to the previous king's concubine could be interpreted as a claim to the throne. Solomon interprets Adonijah's request to marry Abishag as a veiled attempt to reignite his claim to the kingship.
Solomon's Response: Solomon, seeing the potential threat, reacts swiftly and decisively. He uses his earlier promise to Bathsheba to justify executing Adonijah. He accuses Adonijah of treason.
Therefore, while the verse initially appears to be a simple display of filial piety, it becomes a crucial turning point in the narrative because:
It sets the stage for a politically charged request.
It highlights Solomon's cunning and ruthlessness in consolidating his power.
It demonstrates how seemingly innocuous promises can have significant and even deadly consequences in the world of power politics.
In summary, 1 Kings 2:20 is a deceptively simple verse that foreshadows a complex and ruthless political maneuver. It shows how a king's word, given in good faith or for appearance's sake, can be used to justify drastic actions in the pursuit of power.
1 kings 2:20 - Then she said, “I ask one small petition of you; don’t deny me.” The king said to her, “Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you.”
What does "1 kings 2:20" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 2:20, depicts a scene where Bathsheba, King Solomon's mother, is approaching him with a request. Let's break it down:
"Then she said, “I ask one small petition of you; don’t deny me.”" Bathsheba is being diplomatic and respectful. She anticipates that her request might be difficult or unusual, so she softens the approach by:
Calling it a "small petition" to minimize its perceived importance.
Imploring him not to deny her in advance, appealing to their familial bond and perhaps past good relations. She's essentially asking for a favorable hearing before he even knows what she wants.
"The king said to her, “Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you.”" Solomon responds favorably to his mother's plea. His words indicate:
Respect for her as his mother, addressing her with that title.
A strong commitment to honor her request. He assures her he will not deny her before hearing the petition, demonstrating a high degree of deference and affection (or perhaps political savvy).
Meaning & Context
The verse itself is straightforward in its literal meaning: Bathsheba asks Solomon to grant her request and Solomon promises to do so. However, understanding its significance requires a bit more context:
The Request Matters: The key to the verse's importance lies in what Bathsheba actually asks for. In the following verses (1 Kings 2:21-25), she asks Solomon to give Abishag the Shunammite to Adonijah as wife. Adonijah was Solomon's half-brother who had previously tried to usurp the throne.
Political Implications: Solomon's seemingly generous promise to his mother turns into a calculated political move when he understands the full implications of the request. Abishag had been King David's concubine, and according to custom, a claim to the previous king's concubine could be interpreted as a claim to the throne. Solomon interprets Adonijah's request to marry Abishag as a veiled attempt to reignite his claim to the kingship.
Solomon's Response: Solomon, seeing the potential threat, reacts swiftly and decisively. He uses his earlier promise to Bathsheba to justify executing Adonijah. He accuses Adonijah of treason.
Therefore, while the verse initially appears to be a simple display of filial piety, it becomes a crucial turning point in the narrative because:
It sets the stage for a politically charged request.
It highlights Solomon's cunning and ruthlessness in consolidating his power.
It demonstrates how seemingly innocuous promises can have significant and even deadly consequences in the world of power politics.
In summary, 1 Kings 2:20 is a deceptively simple verse that foreshadows a complex and ruthless political maneuver. It shows how a king's word, given in good faith or for appearance's sake, can be used to justify drastic actions in the pursuit of power.