1 Kings 2:5

_MOREOVER THOU KNOWEST ALSO WHAT JOAB THE SON OF ZERUIAH DID TO ME, AND WHAT HE DID TO THE TWO CAPTAINS OF THE HOSTS OF ISRAEL, UNTO ABNER THE SON OF NER, AND UNTO AMASA THE SON OF JETHER, WHOM HE SLEW, AND SHED THE BLOOD OF WAR IN PEACE, AND PUT THE BLOOD OF WAR UPON HIS GIRDLE THAT WAS ABOUT HIS LOINS, AND IN HIS SHOES THAT WERE ON HIS FEET._ THOU KNOWEST ALSO WHAT JOAB ... DID. The insolent and imperious conduct of that general had not only been deeply offensive to the feelings (2 Samuel 18:5; 2 Samuel 19:5), but calculated to bring reproach on the character, to injure the prospects, and endanger the throne, of David. Passing over the injuries committed directly against himself, David dwelt with strong feelings on the base assassination of Abner and Amasa. Shed the blood of war i

5-11 These dying counsels concerning Joab and Shimei, did not come from personal anger, but for the security of Solomon's throne, which was the murders he had committed, but would readily repeat them to carry any purpose; though long reprieved, he shall be reckoned with at last. Time does not wear out the guilt of any sin, particularly of murder. Concerning Shimei, Hold him not guiltless; do not think him any true friend to thee, or thy government, or fit to be trusted; he has no less malice now than he had then. David's dying sentiments are recorded, as delivered under the influence of the Holy Ghost, 2 Samuel 23:1. The Lord discovered to him the offices and the salvation of that glorious personage, the Messiah, whose coming he then foretold, and from whom he derived all his comforts and expectations. That passage gives a decided proof that David died under the influence of the Holy Gh...

Verse 1 Kings 2:5. _THOU KNOWEST - WHAT JOAB - DID TO ME_] He did every thing bad and dishonourable in itself, in the murder of Abner and Amasa, and indeed in the death of the profligate Absalom. _SHED THE BLOOD OF WAR - UPON HIS GIRDLE - AND IN HIS SHOES_] He stabbed them while he pretended to _embrace_ them, so that their blood gushed out on his girdle, and fell into his shoes! This was a most abominable aggravation of his crimes....

In his directions with respect to certain important persons, David, anxious for the security of his young successor’s kingdom, allows old animosities to revive, and is willing to avenge himself indirectly and by deputy, though he had been withheld by certain scruples from taking vengeance in his own person. We must not expect Gospel morality from the saints of the Old Testament. They were only the best men of their several ages and nations. The maxim of “them of old time,” whether Jews or Gentiles, was “Love your friends and hate your enemies” (see Matthew 5:43); and David perhaps was not in this respect in advance of his age. Joab’s chief offence against David, besides his two murders, was no doubt his killing Absalom 2 Samuel 18:14. Another serious crime was his support of the tr

EXPOSITION THE LAST WORDS AND DEATH OF DAVID.—The death of David, and of course the charge which preceded it, did not follow immediately (as the casual reader might be tempted to suppose) on the events related in 1 Kings 1:1. We find from 1 Chronicles 23-29:23, that the aged king recovered sufficient strength to leave his sick room, to gather round him the princes of Israel (1 Chronicles 23:9), to make a number of fresh arrangements respecting the priests and Levites and the services of the sanctuary, and even to "stand up upon his feet" (1 Chronicles 28:2) and address a la

MOREOVER THOU KNOWEST ALSO WHAT JOAB THE SON OF ZERUIAH DID UNTO ME,.... In slaying Absalom, contrary to his orders, and in behaving insolently towards him on account of his mourning for him, and at other times; but as these things might not be personally known to Solomon, only by hearsay, this may respect his disloyalty towards him, in joining with Adonijah, who set himself up for king in his lifetime, and without his knowledge and consent; or it may respect the instances next mentioned, in which he did injury to the interest, honour, and character of David: [AND], or "even", WHAT HE DID TO THE TWO CAPTAINS OF THE HOST OF ISRAEL, UNTO ABNER THE SON OF NER, AND UNTO AMASA THE SON OF JETHER, WHOM HE SLEW; to Abner who was under Ishbosheth, and Amasa under David, who had not only the promise of the post, but was actually in it when Joab slew him; and indeed out of envy to him for it: AN...

3. DAVID'S CHARGE TO SOLOMON AND DAVID'S END CHAPTER 2:1-11 _ 1. David's charge (1 Kings 2:1)_ 2. David's end (1 Kings 2:10) We call attention again to 1 Chronicles 28 and 29 where we find the record of the great assembly of all the princes of Israel and David's great address to them. He then made known to all Israel that the LORD had chosen Solomon to occupy the throne. He speaks there of the covenant promise, that his son should build the house of the LORD and His courts. He exhorted the people to keep the commandments and then spoke in tenderest words to young Solomon. “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind .

DEATH OF DAVID; SOLOMON ESTABLISHED ON HIS THRONE. The main source of this chapter is the same as that of 1, but interspersed are Deuteronomic additions (1 Kings 2:3 f., 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 2:27). The authenticity of David's advice to Solomon has been disputed, especially the reasons given for procuring Joab's execution. Judged by any standard it places his character in an unamiable light. Solomon was advised to find a pretext for putting Joab and Shimei to death, and perfidy is inculcated as wisdom (1 Kings 2:6; 1 Kings 2:9). Without attempting to justify its mo

JOAB. ZERUIAH. David's own sister's son. DID TO ME. David does not mention the worst sin, the death of Absalom. ABNER. Compare 2 Samuel 3:27; 2 Samuel 3:39. AMASA. Compare 2 Samuel 20:9; 1 Chronicles 2:17....

_what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me_ This one of the sons of Zeruiah had been all through his reign too strong for his uncle. See 2 Samuel 3:39: and for the rough remonstrances of Joab with David, cf. 2 Samuel 19:5-7. The slaughter of Absalom, though neither mentioned here by David, nor afterwards by Solomon, when Joab is put to death, must have been constantly present to their minds. _unto Abner the son of Ner_ Ner being brother of Kish (1 Chronicles 9:36), the father of Saul, we can understand how Abner became a man of much importance in the court of Saul, under whom he was commander-in-chief. After the death of Saul it was Abner who proclaimed Ishbosheth and supported him against David, unt