Abishag
femaleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “My father is a wanderer”
A beautiful young woman of Shunem who cared for the aged King David; the request for her hand later exposed Adonijah’s bid for the throne.
Biography
Abishag the Shunammite was a young woman brought to serve King David in his final, frail days. Though her own role was quiet, a later request concerning her became the trigger for a deadly succession crisis.
Comfort to the aged king
When David was old and could not keep warm, his servants sought "a young virgin… to cherish him." They found Abishag, "a damsel very fair," who ministered to the king, though "the king knew her not" (1 Kings 1:1–4).
The disputed request
After David's death, his son Adonijah asked to marry Abishag. Solomon recognized the request as a veiled claim to the throne — for to take a former king's attendant was to grasp at his royal succession — and had Adonijah executed (1 Kings 2:17–25). Abishag thus stands at the hinge of Solomon's securing of the kingdom.
Life Timeline
Brought to care for the aged King David
Adonijah's request for her exposes his bid for the throne
On the Bible timeline
Abishag belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Themes & lessons from Abishag
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Abishag appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 1 book1 Kings5 verses
1 Kings 1:3
So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
1 Kings 1:15
And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
1 Kings 2:17
And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.
1 Kings 2:21
And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.
1 Kings 2:22
And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.
Frequently asked about Abishag
Who was Abishag in the Bible?
A beautiful young woman of Shunem who cared for the aged King David; the request for her hand later exposed Adonijah’s bid for the throne.
What does the name Abishag mean?
The name Abishag means “My father is a wanderer”.
Where does Abishag appear in the Bible?
Abishag is mentioned 5 times across 1 book: 1 Kings.
What can we learn from Abishag?
The story of Abishag touches on themes of abishag, bath-sheba, altars, widows — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Abishag's life.
Sermon Mate
Teaching on Abishag?
Organize your sermon notes, link Scripture passages, and build your outline in Sermon Mate — the workspace for ministry leaders.
Open Sermon Mate →