1 Kings 14:5

to ask a thing of thee The precise expression is not found again. The R.V. gives the rendering -to inquire", which is most common for the verb, and regards the noun as expository, and so leaves it unrendered. The rendering of the A.V. misrepresents the mission. It was not to ask something for her son, but to inquire concerning him.

thus and thus shalt thou say The writer, knowing that immediately he will record the conversation, abbreviates his story thus to avoid repeating twice the same words. The same expression is found in Judges 18:4.