1 Kings 2:18
New International Version
“Very well,” Bathsheba replied, “I will speak to the king for you.”

New Living Translation
“All right,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

English Standard Version
Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak for you to the king.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

King James Bible
And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.

New King James Version
So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.”

New American Standard Bible
And Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak to the king for you.”

NASB 1995
Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak to the king for you.”

NASB 1977
And Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak to the king for you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak to the king for you.”

Amplified Bible
Bathsheba replied, “Very well; I will speak to the king for you.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

American Standard Version
And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.

Contemporary English Version
"All right," she said. "I'll ask him."

English Revised Version
And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Very well," Bathsheba answered. "I will talk to the king for you."

Good News Translation
"Very well," she answered. "I will speak to the king for you."

International Standard Version
"Okay," Bathsheba replied. "I'll talk to the king for you."

Majority Standard Bible
“Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”

NET Bible
Bathsheba replied, "That's fine, I'll speak to the king on your behalf."

New Heart English Bible
Bathsheba said, "Alright. I will speak for you to the king."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee to the king.

World English Bible
Bathsheba said, “All right. I will speak for you to the king.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Bathsheba says, “Good; I speak to the king for you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Bath-Sheba saith, 'Good; I do speak for thee unto the king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Bathsheba will say, Well I will speak for thee to the king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Bethsabee said: Well, I will speak for thee to the king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Bathsheba said: “It is well. I will speak to the king on your behalf.”

New American Bible
Bathsheba replied, “Very well, I will speak to the king for you.”

New Revised Standard Version
Bathsheba said, “Very well; I will speak to the king on your behalf.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Bath-sheba said, Very well; I will speak for you to the king.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Bathsheba said: “I shall speak well for you to the King.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Bath-sheba said: 'Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Bersabee said, Well; I will speak for thee to the king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Execution of Adonijah
17Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” 18“Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.” 19So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.…

Cross References
1 Kings 1:11-13
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

1 Kings 1:16-17
And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” / “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

1 Kings 1:24-25
“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’? / For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

1 Kings 1:28-30
Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him. / And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, / I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”

1 Kings 1:50-53
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” ...

1 Kings 3:6-9
Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. / And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. / Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. ...

1 Kings 3:11-14
So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— / behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. ...

2 Samuel 15:1-6
Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ...

2 Samuel 15:13-14
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 16:20-23
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?” / Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. ...

2 Samuel 17:1-4
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” ...

2 Samuel 19:11-15
Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters? / You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ / And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’” ...

2 Samuel 20:1-2
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 22:6-10
Then David called for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. / “My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, / but this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me. ...

1 Chronicles 28:5-7
And of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. / And He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him as My son, and I will be his Father. / I will establish his kingdom forever, if he resolutely carries out My commandments and ordinances, as is being done this day.’


Treasury of Scripture

And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for you to the king.

Well

Proverbs 14:15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

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1 Kings 2
1. David, having given a charge to Solomon
3. of Reverence
5. of Joab
7. of Barzillai
8. of Shimei
10. Solomon succeeds
12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,
13. is put to death
26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood
28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain
35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's
36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.














Very well
This phrase indicates Bathsheba's agreement and willingness to act. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "טוֹב" (tov), which means "good" or "well." It reflects a positive affirmation and readiness to proceed. Bathsheba's response is not just a passive acceptance but an active commitment to intercede. This highlights her role as a mediator, a position of influence and responsibility, which is significant in the context of royal court dynamics.

Bathsheba
Bathsheba is a central figure in the narrative, known for her wisdom and influence. Her name in Hebrew, "בַּת־שֶׁבַע" (Bat-Sheva), means "daughter of the oath," which may signify her role in fulfilling divine promises. Historically, Bathsheba's journey from a woman involved in scandal to the queen mother demonstrates God's redemptive power and the importance of repentance and grace. Her presence in this verse underscores her established authority and respect within the royal family.

replied
The act of replying indicates a dialogue, a two-way communication. In Hebrew, the word "וַתֹּאמֶר" (vatomer) is used, which is a common term for speaking or answering. This suggests that Bathsheba is engaged and attentive, ready to take action based on the request presented to her. Her reply is not just a formality but a deliberate choice to engage in the matter at hand.

I will speak
This phrase shows Bathsheba's intention to act on behalf of another. The Hebrew verb "דָּבַר" (dabar) means "to speak" or "to declare," indicating a purposeful and authoritative communication. Bathsheba's promise to speak to the king highlights her confidence and the trust placed in her by others. It also reflects the biblical theme of advocacy, where individuals intercede for others, mirroring the intercessory role of Christ.

to the king
The king referred to here is Solomon, Bathsheba's son. In the Hebrew context, "הַמֶּלֶךְ" (ha-melech) signifies not just a ruler but one who is divinely appointed. Bathsheba's access to the king illustrates her unique position and the respect she commands. It also emphasizes the importance of wise counsel and the role of family in governance, as Solomon often relied on his mother's advice.

for you
This phrase indicates Bathsheba's willingness to advocate on behalf of another person. The Hebrew preposition "לְךָ" (lekha) means "for you" or "on your behalf," showing a personal commitment to the request. This act of intercession is a powerful biblical motif, reflecting the Christian call to bear one another's burdens and to seek the welfare of others. Bathsheba's promise to speak for someone else highlights the importance of advocacy and support within the community of faith.

Verse 18. - And Bathsheba said, Well [there is no reason why the strict rendering "good," should not be preserved here. The A.V. follows the LXX. καλῶς. Similarly Luther, wohl; but Bahr, gut], I will speak for thee [LXX. περὶ σοῦ] unto the king.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Very well,”
ט֑וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

Bathsheba
שֶׁ֖בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1339: Bathsheba -- perhaps 'daughter of oath', the mother of Solomon

replied.
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I
אָנֹכִ֕י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

will speak
אֲדַבֵּ֥ר (’ă·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

for you.”
עָלֶ֖יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 1 Kings 2:18 Bathsheba said Well (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 2:17
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