Abishag

a young woman, a native of Shunam, in the tribe of Issachar. David, at the age of seventy, finding no warmth in his bed, was advised by his physicians to procure some young person, who might communicate the heat required. To this end Abishag was presented to him, who was one of the most beautiful women in Israel, 1Ki 1:3; and the king made her his wife. After his death, Adonijah requested her in marriage, for which he lost his life; Solomon perceiving in this a design upon the crown also. Adonijah was his elder brother, an intriguing man, and had aspired to be king before the death of David, and had had his life spared only upon the condition of his peaceable conduct. By this request he convinced Solomon, that he was still actuated by political views, and this brought upon him the punishment of treason.

Ab´ishag (father of error), a beautiful young woman of Shunam, in the tribe of Issachar, who was chosen by the servants of David to be introduced into the royal harem, for the special purpose of ministering to him, and cherishing him in his old age. She became his wife; but the marriage was never consummated. Some time after the death of David, Adonijah, his eldest son, persuaded Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, to entreat the king that Abishag might be given to him in marriage. But as rights and privileges peculiarly regal were associated with the control and possession of the harem of the deceased kings, Solomon detected in this application a fresh aspiration to the throne, which he visited with death (1Ki 1:1-4; 1Ki 2:13-25) [ADONIJAH].

A beautiful virgin of Shunem, in Issachar, chosen to marry David in his old age and cherish him. After his death, Adonijah sought her hand to promote his treasonable aspirations, and was punished by death, {\cf11 \ul 1Ki 1:1--}; {\cf11 \ul 1Ki 2:46}.\PAR

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Ab’ishag. A beautiful Shunammite (from Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar), taken into David’s harem to comfort him in his extreme old age. 1Ki 1:1-4.

("father of error".) The beautiful young woman of Shunem in Issachar, who cherished David in his old age. Adonijab persuaded Bathsheba to entreat Solomon to give her to him in marriage. This Solomon construed into virtual treason: as regal rights followed the possession in marriage of a deceased king’s wife, and caused him to be killed (1Ki 1:1-4; 1Ki 2:13-25)

(Heb. Abishag’ אֲבַישִׁג, father of [i.e. given to] error, i. q. inconsiderate; Sept. Α᾿βισάγ), a beautiful young woman of Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar, who was chosen by the servants of David to be introduced into the royal harem, for the special purpose of ministering to him and cherishing him in his old age, B.C. cir. 1015. She became his wife, but the marriage was never consummated (1Ki 1:3-15). Some time after the death of David, Adonijah, his eldest son, persuaded Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, to entreat the king that Abishag might be given to him in marriage, B.C. cir. 1013. But as rights and privileges peculiarly regal were associated with the control and possession of the harem (q.v.) of deceased kings (2Sa 12:8), Solomon detected in this application a fresh aspiration to the throne, which he visited with death (1Ki 2:17-22; Josephus, ᾿Aβησάκη, Ant. 7:14, 3). SEE ADONIJAH.

Abishag (ăb’i-shăg or a-bî’shăg), father of error, a beautiful virgin of Shunem, in Issachar, chosen to cherish David in his old age. After his death, Adonijah sought her hand to promote his treasonable schemes, and was punished by death. 1Ki 1:2.

[Ab’ishag]

The Shunammite damsel who cherished David in his old age. 1Ki 1:3; 1Ki 1:15. After David’s death, his son Adonijah asked to have Abishag for wife, for which Solomon put him to death. 1Ki 2:17-23.

By: Charles Foster Kent, Louis Ginzberg

—Biblical Data:

A beautiful Shunammite, brought by the servants of David to his harem to minister to the aged king in the hope of reviving his failing powers (I Kings, i. 1-5). After the accession of Solomon, Adonijah, his elder brother, sought through Bathsheba to secure Abishag as his wife. Solomon, interpreting this request for the wife of the late king as evidence of a plot on the part of Adonijah to strengthen his claim to the throne (since according to archaic law, a man's concubines became the inheritance of his heir), put his rival to death (I Kings, ii. 12-24).

—In Rabbinical Literature:

Abishag, the Shunammite, though only half as beautiful as Sarah, merited the rank of queen on account of her beauty (Sanh. 39b). David did not marry her, since he had already the allotted number of eighteen wives (see Sanh. ii. 3, 21a), and he preferred to renounce the lovely virgin rather than send away one of his wedded wives (ib. 22a). Although Abishag never became David's wife, yet, since by virtue of her personal service she belonged to the royal household, it was treasonable on the part of Adonijah to petition Solomon to grant him the Shunammite as his wife. It was not fitting for a subject to appropriate things or persons that belonged to royalty (ibid.).

ABISHAG.—A beautiful young Shunammitess who attended upon David in his extreme old age (1Ki 1:2 ff., 1Ki 1:15). After David’s death, Abishag was asked in marriage by Adonijah; the request cost him his life (1Ki 2:13-25).

ab´i-shag, a-bı̄´shag (אבישׁג, ’ăbhı̄shagh, apparently, “father of wandering,” that is, “cause of wandering,” or “my father wanders”): The Shunammite woman who became nurse to King David (1 Ki 1-4, 15; 1Ki 2:17, 1Ki 2:21, 1Ki 2:22). She was chosen for the service with great care on account of her youth and beauty and physical vigor. She ministered to the king, that is, waited on him as personal attendant and nurse. She also “cherished” him in his feebleness - gave to him through physical contact the advantage of her superabundant vitality. This was a mode of medical treatment recommended by the servants of the king, and it appears to have been not wholly unsuccessful. She had an intimate knowledge of the condition of David, and was present at the interview of Bathsheba with David which resulted in the placing of Solomon on the throne. If that act had been questioned she would have been a most important witness. By reason of this and of her personal charms, she might become a strong helper to any rival of Solomon who should intrigue to supplant him. Adonijah sought Abishag in marriage. On the basis of this and of such other evidence as may supposably have been in his possession, Solomon put Adonijah to death as an intriguer.

When David was old and sick, the nurse chosen to be with him constantly was Abishag. One of her duties was to lie with him in bed to give him warmth. Although she was not a concubine, some people apparently thought she was (1Ki 1:1-4). After David’s death, his son Adonijah asked the new king Solomon for Abishag as a wife. Since a new king inherited the concubines of the former king (cf. 2Sa 3:7-10; 2Sa 12:7-8; 2Sa 16:22), Solomon considered Adonijah’s request to be an attempt to gain David’s throne. He therefore executed Adonijah for treason (1Ki 2:13-25).