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ABISHAG

(Heb. ʾăḇîšag)

The Shunammite virgin who attended to the aged King David (1 Kgs. 1:4, 15). That David had no sexual relations with Abishag is sometimes interpreted as an indication of the king’s inability to govern. The Talmud, however, notes that David did not make Abishag his wife because he refused to exceed the legal number of wives — 18 — allowed to a king (Sanh. 22a).

Later, Abishag became a political pawn in the succession struggle between David’s sons. After Solomon was declared king and David had died, Adonijah asked for Abishag’s hand in marriage (1 Kgs. 2:17). Solomon interpreted Adonijah’s request as an attempt to overthrow the throne and ordered his execution (1 Kgs. 2:22-25).

In Jewish lore Abishag is seen in her later years as the Shunammite who gives hospitality to Elisha the prophet (2 Kgs. 4:8-37).

Robin Gallaher Branch






Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

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