1 Kings 2:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Bathsheba asks Solomon not to refuse her small request, and he warmly promises to grant it.
What Does 1 Kings 2:20 Mean?
Echoing Adonijah's own words, Bathsheba calls her plea 'one small petition' and asks Solomon not to refuse. He answers with warm deference: 'Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.' His love for her seems ready to grant whatever she asks.
Yet the reader recalls that the request only looks small. Solomon's open-hearted promise to his mother is genuine, but it is about to meet a petition heavier than it appears. The verse holds together filial love and the coming test of wisdom, showing that even sincere generosity must still be governed by discernment when the stakes are high.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 2:20
What does 1 Kings 2:20 mean?
Bathsheba asks Solomon not to refuse her small request, and he warmly promises to grant it.