Abishag Ministers to David

11 When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. 2 So his attendants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm." 3 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her.

Other Translations of 1 Kings 1:1-4

King James Version

Abishag Ministers to David

11 Now king David was old and stricken stricken...: Heb. entered into days in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. 2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. 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. 4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

English Standard Version

Abishag Ministers to David

11 Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, "Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms,Or in your bosom that my lord the king may be warm." 3 So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.

The Message

Abishag Ministers to David

11 King David grew old. The years had caught up with him. Even though they piled blankets on him, he couldn't keep warm. 2 So his servants said to him, "We're going to get a young virgin for our master the king to be at his side and look after him; she'll get in bed with you and arouse our master the king." 3 So they searched the country of Israel for the most ravishing girl they could find; they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. 4 The girl was stunningly beautiful; she stayed at his side and looked after the king, but the king did not have sex with her.

New King James Version

Abishag Ministers to David

11 Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 2 Therefore his servants said to him, "Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm." 3 So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.

New Living Translation

Abishag Ministers to David

11 King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. 2 So his advisers told him, "Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm." 3 So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king. 4 The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 1:1-4

Commentary on 1 Kings 1:1-4

(Read 1 Kings 1:1-4)

We have David sinking under infirmities. He was chastised for his recent sins, and felt the effects of his former toils and hardships.