21 And she saith, 'Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother for a wife.' 22 And king Solomon answereth and saith to his mother, 'And why art thou asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? also ask for him the kingdom—for he 'is' mine elder brother—even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah.' 23 And king Solomon sweareth by Jehovah, saying, 'Thus doth God to me, and thus He doth add—surely against his soul hath Adonijah spoken this word; 24 and now, Jehovah liveth, who hath established me, and causeth me to sit on the throne of David my father, and who hath made for me an house as He spake—surely to-day is Adonijah put to death.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 2:21-24
Commentary on 1 Kings 2:12-25
(Read 1 Kings 2:12-25)
Solomon received Bathsheba with all the respect that was owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they ought not to grant. It ill becomes a good man to prefer a bad request, or to appear in a bad cause. According to eastern customs it was plain that Adonijah sought to be king, by his asking for Abishag as his wife, and Solomon could not be safe while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly prepare death for themselves. Many a head has been lost by catching at a crown.