1 Kings 1:16 - Exposition

And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance [cf. 2 Samuel 14:4 . But we are hardly justified in seeing here "more than the ordinary Eastern salutation" (Rawlinson). The Jewish court seems to have been very ceremonious and stately ( 1 Samuel 24:8 ; 2 Samuel 19:24 ). The king was the representative of Heaven]. And the king said, What wouldest thou [marg; What to thee? Not necessarily, What thy supplication? (as Rawlinson). It rather means generally, "What thy business?" Quid tibi, not quid petis.