Abishag
Abishag, the beautiful Shunammite who served King David in his old age and was later sought as a wife by Adonijah.
The name Abishag means “ignorance of the father”
FemaleUnited Monarchy eraOld Testament1 book5 verses
Summary
A woman living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1 Kings 1:3; only referred to as Abishag (אֲבִישַׁג).
Glossary entries
Alternative names
- אֲבִישַׁגAbishag
Mentions
- Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.
- So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
- Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”
- So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”
- King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”