1 Kings 2:20 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 2:20 mean?

1 Kings 2:20 shows Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, asking her son the king for a small request and seeking his assurance that he will not refuse her. Solomon responds respectfully, telling Bathsheba to go ahead and ask, promising not to deny her request.

Bathsheba is speaking to King Solomon in the royal court, likely in front of others, making her request with humility and care. The verse highlights the respectful relationship between Solomon and his mother, as well as the seriousness with which requests to the king were made and considered in ancient Israel’s royal setting.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 2:20

• "desire" (שָׁאַל, sha'al): This word means "to ask" or "to request." Bathsheba uses it to express her wish, showing she is making a formal petition, not just a casual question.
• "small" (קָטֹן, qaton): Bathsheba calls her request "small," which can mean minor or insignificant. This emphasizes her humility and suggests she does not want to burden the king.
• "petition" (שְׁאֵלָה, she'elah): This is a formal word for a request or plea, reinforcing the seriousness and official nature of what Bathsheba is about to ask.
• "say...nay" (שׁוּב, shuv): The phrase "say me not nay" and "I will not say thee nay" both use this verb, which often means "to turn back" or "to refuse." Here, it means not to turn away her request, stressing the importance of the king’s response.

Why 1 Kings 2:20 matters

• The verse shows the respectful and careful way requests were made to a king, even by his own mother, highlighting the authority and responsibility of the king in ancient Israel.
• Bathsheba’s approach and Solomon’s answer set the stage for the important request that follows, showing the tension and significance of what is being asked.
• The exchange reveals the personal dynamics within the royal family, giving insight into how honor and hierarchy were maintained, even in private conversations.