She said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife.”
Solomon's throne was not won by the sword like David's but settled at once; and when Adonijah could not rest easy under mercy, he ruined himself by his own restless ambition. Some men know not when they are well treated and so treasure up judgment for themselves by presuming on God's patience.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 2:12-25
This is no small petition, it is a claim to the kingdom itself. Among us, none but a king may marry a king's widow; for Adonijah to take her is to take his measures for the throne. He has his elder brother to plead, but this marriage is his bid for power whenever the chance comes.
AI summary
Solomon saw through it at once: why ask for the woman when he means to ask for the kingdom? Possession of the former king's wives passed among our people, as among the Persians, for a claim to the throne itself. Adonijah's wily words may have caught his mother off guard, but they never fooled the king.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 2:20-22