1 Kings 2:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Adonijah asks Bathsheba not to refuse the single request he is about to make, and she again invites him to speak.
What Does 1 Kings 2:16 Mean?
Having laid his groundwork, Adonijah comes to his point. He asks for 'one petition' and pleads, 'deny me not,' seeking her agreement before naming it. Once more Bathsheba answers, 'Say on,' allowing him to proceed.
The request to be promised a yes before the question is even asked is a subtle move, and the reader does well to notice it. Wisdom hesitates to bind itself in advance to an unknown thing. The exchange quietly warns against commitments made before their cost is weighed, a caution Scripture commends to all who would walk in prudence.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 2:16
What does 1 Kings 2:16 mean?
Adonijah asks Bathsheba not to refuse the single request he is about to make, and she again invites him to speak.