מלכים א, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ג

Just days after the death of King David, a tense encounter takes place between Adonijah, the defeated contender for the throne, and Bathsheba, the mother of the newly crowned King Solomon. Their meeting brings past grievances and lingering political tensions to the surface.

Opinions differ regarding the atmosphere of this visit. One perspective suggests that the two lived under the same roof and maintained friendly relations, making his arrival a normal, routine event [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In contrast, the primary approach highlights the deep historical hostility between them caused by the recent struggle for the crown. According to this view, Adonijah's sudden appearance filled Bathsheba with panic and anxiety [אברבנאל].

Uncertain about his motives, Bathsheba questions his arrival to uncover his true intentions. She needs to know whether he has come with peaceful goals or if he intends to provoke a fight and cause her harm [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. To ease her fears, Adonijah assures her that his visit is friendly. He makes it clear that he has no desire to start a conflict and only wishes to speak peacefully [אברבנאל].