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By R.A. Mathews

It’s odd. She was a nursemaid.

The Book of First Kings opens with this young woman, chosen to care for a very frail King David. But why does God tell that story? Even more unusual, she is named. And, to top that off, we learn that she remained a virgin.

“Now King David was old… (and) Abishag the Shunammite… became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not become intimate with her” (1 Kings 1:1-4).

I’m telling you, it’s odd.

Why so much information about a nursemaid? Why mention her at all? What is important about Abishag the Shunammite? 

Then, get this. The paragraph ends, and the nursemaid disappears. Gone. Zip. Nada. No more. 

That is—until King David dies. 

When Abishag reappears, the moment is ominous! 

Here’s what happened.

As I said, the book of First Kings opens with David so frail that he needed a nursemaid. Adonijah, his oldest living son, took advantage of his father’s ill health to stage a coup and seize the throne. But when King David learned of the plot, David immediately put Solomon on the throne. 

Adonijah and his brothers were all in on the coup. Upon hearing the news about Solomon, they feared for their lives. Here’s the passage. 

“Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and got up, and each went on his way. Adonijah also was afraid of Solomon… (taking) hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘May King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword’” (1 Kings 1:49-50).

Solomon did not execute Adonijah. Instead, Solomon told him to straighten up and go home. 

But understand that if Adonijah had become king, Scripture says Solomon and his mother would have been considered offenders to the throne, and Adonijah would have killed them (1 Kings 1:21,12).

The passing of a king in Israel could be a messy business. Queen Athaliah ordered the execution of all her grandsons when she seized the throne in Jerusalem. That actually happened—she’s not an evil queen in a Disney movie (2 Kings 11).

So, Adonijah knew to steer clear of Solomon. Yet, after David died, Adonijah went to the palace to ask Solomon’s mother for a favor — to intervene for him with the king. Why?

Adonijah wanted to marry the nursemaid.

Hearing this, Solomon ordered Adonijah’s execution — I told you it was ominous!

This is a passage of Scripture that scholars don’t understand. They compare Adonijah’s request to when his older brother Absalom seized the throne and slept with David’s concubines (2 Samuel 16:22). 

Clearly, that’s not why this story is in Scripture.

Adonijah didn’t walk up to the palace announcing a bloody coup was at hand. Adonijah wasn’t trying to get himself killed. 

In fact, just the opposite. 

Adonijah made a point to tell Bathsheba that it was God’s will that Solomon should serve, and Bathsheba didn’t see anything wrong with Adonijah’s request. The nursemaid was not David’s wife or concubine (I Kings 2:13-18).

So, Solomon’s mother willingly approached her son to request the innocent favor for Adonijah. However, she never asked Adonijah why he wanted the nurse.

But Solomon knew. 

Solomon knew immediately — he saw the evil. Adonijah and his minions were planning to seize the kingdom. (I Kings 2:19-26)

How did Solomon know that? Once again, why was the nurse so important?

Young Abishag the Shunammite had worked silently behind the scenes, caring for the frail king. She would have known his closest allies, overheard their transactions, understood all the strengths and weaknesses of the kingdom.

That’s why Abishag was important to Adonijah — a treasure trove of information. And information is power.

I wrote last week that darkness is real. Evil will boldly step in your way. 

But understand that wickedness can quietly cloak itself as a request or an opportunity. In fact, you may say, “See how this happened. It must be from God.”

Look carefully, as Solomon did. An innocent event isn’t always so innocent. And the consequences can be brutal.

Had Adonijah gained the upper hand and become king, he would have murdered both Solomon and his mother.  

With God, you are greater than any evil. 

Examine coincidences, opportunities, requests with the Lord. See whether they are from Him or darkness cloaked as something else.

If God has placed you on a path, He will guide you. 

This requires a lifetime of prayer. How can you succeed if you go your own way? How can you know which road to take if you aren’t by His side? 

Stay in His presence.

Innocent isn’t always so innocent.

The Rev. Mathews (BA, MDiv, JD) is a faith columnist and the author of the “Reaching to God” series and “Emerald Coast: The Vendetta.” Contact her at Hello@RAMathews.com. 

Copyright © 2024 R.A. Mathews. All rights reserved.