13 and Adonijah son of Haggith cometh in unto Bath-Sheba, mother of Solomon, and she saith, 'Is thy coming peace?' and he saith, 'Peace.' 14 And he saith, 'I have a word unto thee,' and she saith, 'Speak.' 15 And he saith, 'Thou hast known that the kingdom was mine, and towards me set their faces had all Israel for reigning, and the kingdom is turned round about, and is my brother's, for from Jehovah it was his; 16 and now, one petition I am asking of thee—turn not back my face;' and she saith unto him, 'Speak.' 17 And he saith, 'Speak, I pray thee, to Solomon the king, for he doth not turn back thy face, and he doth give to me Abishag the Shunammite for a wife.' 18 And Bath-Sheba saith, 'Good; I do speak for thee unto the king.' 19 And Bath-Sheba cometh in unto king Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, and the king riseth to meet her, and boweth himself to her, and sitteth on his throne, and placeth a throne for the mother of the king, and she sitteth at his right hand. 20 And she saith, 'One small petition I ask of thee, turn not back my face;' and the king saith to her, 'Ask, my mother, for I do not turn back thy face.' 21 And she saith, 'Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother for a wife.' 22 And king Solomon answereth and saith to his mother, 'And why art thou asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? also ask for him the kingdom—for he 'is' mine elder brother—even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah.' 23 And king Solomon sweareth by Jehovah, saying, 'Thus doth God to me, and thus He doth add—surely against his soul hath Adonijah spoken this word; 24 and now, Jehovah liveth, who hath established me, and causeth me to sit on the throne of David my father, and who hath made for me an house as He spake—surely to-day is Adonijah put to death.' 25 And king Solomon sendeth by the hand of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he falleth upon him, and he dieth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:13-25
Commentary on 1 Kings 2:12-25
(Read 1 Kings 2:12-25)
Solomon received Bathsheba with all the respect that was owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they ought not to grant. It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to appear in a bad cause. According to eastern customs it was plain that Adonijah sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as his wife, and Solomon could not be safe while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly prepare death for themselves. Many a head has been lost by catching at a crown.