And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
The Preacher’s Homiletical[1] says of this passage, “The cherishing of Abishag was, 1. Advised by the court physicians. 2. Was innocent. 3. Suspended only for a brief season, the inevitable progress of decay.”
I find four words in verses 2-4 to describe the duties of Abishag
To Stand before the king
Which simply means to remain with him. Her duties required her physical presence. He was cold. The warmth of her body was prescribed as a source of heat. That would not serve if she were not constantly present.
To cherish the king
The Hebrew word has the meaning of being used. She was a benefit to the king. Her body’s warmth was given over to bring warmth to the dying and cold body of the king.
To minister to the king
In whatever manner he would have needed.
Finally, to lie with the king
There is no reason to assume this is sexual. The king was very old and would die within the year.
What was sought and found for David was, in their time and medical experience, medicinal. It was what they knew would serve to give the king warmth. But for Abishag, it was costly. Though she was willing and likely considered it an honor, it was also a sacrifice. Taking Adonijah’s desire to wed her and Solomon’s reaction to that desire, it is certain she never married. Abishag, a fair, young virgin sacrificed her future happiness for the comfort of an old man in his dying days.
May God find in us a willingness to sacrifice our happiness for the honor of glorifying Him in this dark and cold world.
[1] I’ve reduced this down to just the main points.
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