Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 1:2

2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin , and let her stand before the king , and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom , that my lord the king may get heat.

His Physicians.

Whose Natural heat is fresh and wholsom, and not impaired with bearing or breeding of Children. The same counsel doth Galen give for the cure of some cold and dry Distempers.

i. e. Minister unto him, or wait upon him, (as this Phrase is oft used) in his sickness, as occasion requires.

As his Wife or Concubine: for that she was so, may appear by divers arguments. First, Otherwise this had been a wicked counsel and course; which therefore neither his Servants durst have prescribed, nor would David have used, especially being now in a dying condition. And seeing this was easily prevented by his taking her for his Concubine, which then was esteemed allowable, it is absurd to think that he would not chuse the safer way. 2dly, That passage v. 4. but the king knew her not, implies that the King might have had carnal knowledge of her without sin or scandal. Thirdly, It appears from this Phrase of lying in his bosom, which is every where in Scripture mentioned as the priviledge of a Wife and Concubine, as Gen. 16. 5. Deut. 13. 6. 2 Sam. 12. 8. Mic. 7. 5. Fourthiy, This made Adonijah's crime in desiring her to Wife, so hainous in Solomon's account, because he wisely saw, that by Marrying the Kings Wife he designed to revive his pretence to the Kingdom, at least in case of Solomon's death; which pretence had been ridiculous, if she had been onely the Kings handmaid.

Marginal references: Heb. let them seek.; Heb. a damsel a virgin.; Heb. be a cherisher unto him.