1Ki 1:2 | NETfull | STEP | His servants advised him, “A young virgin must be found for our master, the king, to take care of the king’s needs and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with you and keep our master, the king, warm.”

1 Kings 1:2

2 His servants advised ^{▼▼ Heb “said to.”} him, “A young virgin must be found for our master, the king, ^{▼▼ Heb “let them seek for my master, the king, a young girl, a virgin.” The third person plural subject of the verb is indefinite (see GKC 460 #144.f). The appositional expression, “a young girl, a virgin,” is idiomatic; the second term specifically defines the more general first term (see IBHS 230 #12.3b).} to take care of the king’s needs ^{▼▼ Heb “and she will stand before the king.” The Hebrew phrase “stand before” can mean “to attend; to serve” (BDB 764 s.v. עָמַד).} and serve as his nurse. She can also sleep with you ^{▼▼ Heb “and she will lie down in your bosom.” The expression might imply sexual intimacy (see 2 Sam 12:3 [where the lamb symbolizes Bathsheba] and Mic 7:5), though v. 4b indicates that David did not actually have sex with the young woman.} and keep our master, the king, warm.” ^{▼▼ Heb “and my master, the king, will be warm.”}