Lexical Summary Abishag: Abishag Original Word: אֲבִישַׁג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abishag From 'ab and shagah; father of error (i.e. Blundering); Abishag, a concubine of David -- Abishag. see HEBREW 'ab see HEBREW shagah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ab and shagah Definition "my father is a wanderer," an Isr. woman NASB Translation Abishag (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲבִישַׁג proper name, feminine (my father is a wanderer (שׁגג) ?) a handmaid of David 1 Kings 1:3,15; 1 Kings 2:17,21,22. Topical Lexicon Identity and Setting Abishag appears exclusively in the opening chapters of 1 Kings, where she is consistently called “Abishag the Shunammite.” Shunem lay on the southern slope of the Jezreel Valley, a fertile region associated with hospitality in later prophetic narratives (compare the Shunammite woman of 2 Kings 4). Abishag is introduced as a young woman of exceptional beauty, yet the text places greater weight on her devotion and service than on her appearance. Service to the Aged King 1 Kings 1:3–4 explains why Abishag was brought to David: “So they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl and found Abishag the Shunammite. They brought her to the king, and the girl was very beautiful, and she cared for the king and served him, but the king had no relations with her”. • Compassionate Ministry: Abishag’s primary task was to “care for the king,” a phrase that underscores her role as nurse and personal attendant rather than as concubine in the full marital sense. Catalyst in the Struggle for the Throne After David’s death, Abishag becomes the focal point of Adonijah’s final attempt to claim the crown. Speaking through Bathsheba, he says, “Please speak to King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife” (1 Kings 2:17). Solomon immediately perceives the political danger: “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him” (1 Kings 2:22). In the culture of the time, possession of a deceased king’s concubine was tantamount to claiming the throne (cf. 2 Samuel 16:21–22). Solomon’s response, therefore, is not harsh but prudent; allowing Adonijah to marry Abishag would endorse a rival dynasty. Her presence thus exposes a treacherous ambition and justifies Solomon’s decisive action to secure God’s chosen line. Theological Observations • God’s Sovereign Oversight: Through an apparently domestic detail—the selection of a nurse for an elderly king—the Lord orchestrates events that reveal hidden motives and safeguard the Davidic promise, ultimately leading to the establishment of Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 2:12). Practical Lessons for Ministry 1. Faithful Support Roles Matter: Abishag’s unobtrusive service is preserved in Scripture, reminding the church that God esteems every act of genuine care (Hebrews 6:10). Summary Though mentioned only five times, Abishag the Shunammite stands at a pivotal intersection of personal compassion, royal transition, and divine providence. Her brief appearance reinforces the biblical themes of humble service, moral integrity, and God’s meticulous guardianship of His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations אֲבִישַׁ֣ג אֲבִישַׁ֤ג אֲבִישַׁ֥ג אֲבִישַׁג֙ אבישג וַֽאֲבִישַׁג֙ ואבישג ’ă·ḇî·šaḡ ’ăḇîšaḡ aviShag vaaviShag wa’ăḇîšaḡ wa·’ă·ḇî·šaḡLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 1:3 HEB: וַֽיִּמְצְא֗וּ אֶת־ אֲבִישַׁג֙ הַשּׁ֣וּנַמִּ֔ית וַיָּבִ֥אוּ NAS: and found Abishag the Shunammite, KJV: and found Abishag a Shunammite, INT: of Israel and found Abishag the Shunammite and brought 1 Kings 1:15 1 Kings 2:17 1 Kings 2:21 1 Kings 2:22 5 Occurrences |
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