The kingdom was mine, both by birthright and by actual inauguration. It seems he could not yet forget his pretence to the crown, nor his ambition for it, but continues his claim; which, it seems, Solomon did apprehend and resent, though Bath-sheba did not; the wives and concubines of the late king being reputed to appertain to the successor. See 2 Samuel 12:8. All Israel set their faces on me; they looked upon me as their king, and David's successor, expecting that David should confirm my election. The kingdom is turned about; translated from me to him, by the vicissitude of human affairs, and the changeable humour of the people. It was his from the Lord; either, first, By God's providence so disposing David's mind, and the people's hearts. Or rather, secondly, By God's appointment and particular designation, wherein he would seem to acquiesce; which he mentions, not that he made any conscience of it, or had any regard to it; but only that by this pretence he might deceive both her and Solomon, as if he were far from any design of usurping the kingdom.

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