_A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015._ David's charge to Solomon. 1-9. His death and burial, with the beginning of Solomon's reign, 1 Kings 2:10. He puts Adonijah to death, 1 Kings 2:13. Deposes Abiathar from the high-priesthood, 1 Kings 2:26; 1 Kings 2:27. Puts Joab to death, 1 Kings 2:28. Confines Shimei to Jer... [ Continue Reading ]
_The days of David drew nigh, that he must die_ As he himself was sensible. _And he charged Solomon his son_ After the example of Abraham, the father of the faithful, Genesis 18:19. _I go the way of all the earth_ Even the sons and heirs of heaven must _go the way of all the earth_, of all who dwell... [ Continue Reading ]
_And keep the charge of the Lord thy God_ Here we find David inculcating, in his last moments, the great ruling principle; the foundation-stone of the Hebrew state, and which in some measure distinguishes it from all other governments that have ever subsisted. For the whole strength and stability of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover, thou knowest_, &c. After David had given Solomon this general charge, he proceeded to direct him to do some particular acts of justice and kindness, and first of all, bids him remember how Joab had acted. We must not look upon this admonition of David, on his death-bed, as proceeding from... [ Continue Reading ]
_Do therefore according to thy wisdom_ What in reason and justice thou seest to be fit. For though I was forced to forbear him, I never forgave him. _Let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace_ Punish him according to his demerits. “This dying order of David,” says Dr. Dodd, referring to Dr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai_ David's gratitude here expressed is remarkable. Barzillai only desired him to show kindness to Chimham, 2 Samuel 19:37; but he extends it to all his sons. _Let them be of those that eat at thy table_ As Mephibosheth had done at David's table. It is probable M... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold thou hast with thee Shimei, &c., which cursed me with a grievous curse_ “David,” says Delaney, “when he was importuned to punish Shimei, (2 Samuel 16:9; 2 Samuel 19:21,) imitated the mercy of God, who _waits that he may be gracious._ Had he copied after any lower pattern, he had not spared _... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore hold him not guiltless_ Though I spared his life, do not treat him as an innocent person, nor consider him as one reconciled to my family, and to thy succession to the throne. He is Shimei still, and wants nothing but a fair opportunity to declare it. Clear him not, therefore, as I di... [ Continue Reading ]
_So David slept with his fathers_ He died with the satisfaction of seeing his own son his successor, the wisest and the hopefulest prince of the whole earth, and with the assurance of God's peculiar favour to his posterity, from whence he had already, in the clearest light of prophetic vision, seen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then sat Solomon upon the throne_, &c. The kingdom was settled upon him with universal consent and approbation. _His kingdom was established_ He had the hearty affections of his people, which all men know to be a prince's best and surest establishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
_She said, Comest thou peaceably?_ Or with some evil design against me or my son? which she might well suspect, knowing his ambition and envy at Solomon, and his hatred against her, as the chief cause of his being cast down from his aspiring views and high hopes. _He said, Thou knowest that the king... [ Continue Reading ]
_That he give me Abishag to wife_ It is not likely that either Adonijah or Bath-sheba was ignorant that it was unlawful for any man to marry his father's wife: but they perhaps thought that as David _knew her not_, the marriage had not been completed.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself_ For the high dignity to which he was advanced, did not make him forget the honour due to a parent: an amiable example this, to teach all children to continue to show respect to their parents, how much soever they may be advanced above them in wealth,... [ Continue Reading ]
_I desire one small petition of thee_ So she esteemed it, because she did not perceive Adonijah's design in it, nor the circumstances connected with it. _I will not say thee nay_ Supposing thy request can be lawfully and safely granted, and will be productive of no injury to myself or others. _Let A... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ask for him the kingdom also_ His design is not upon Abishag, but upon the kingdom; which by this means he hopes to recover. “That Adonijah had such a design is very probable,” says Poole, “both from his temper, for he was an aspiring and designing man, highly discontented with Solomon's government... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then King Solomon sware by the Lord_ Once here, and again 1 Kings 2:24, which he did to oblige himself irrevocably to perform his resolution, and to prevent all intercession for Adonijah's life, the matter being, he believed, of the greatest importance to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And set me on the throne of David_ For, though Adonijah be my elder brother, yet I have an undoubted right and title to the crown, from the promise and appointment of that God who disposes of all kingdoms, and especially this of Israel, to whom he pleaseth; and therefore Adonijah in this and his fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah_, &c. For the execution of justice was not then committed to obscure persons, as it is now, but to persons of great honour and authority. Notwithstanding what has been observed in the two or three preceding notes, probably the reader will be inclined to think, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto Abiathar said the king, Get thee to Anathoth_ This was a city of the priests, (Joshua 21:28,) where he commanded him to lead a private life; either in that part of the suburbs which fell to his share, or in some land which he had purchased. _I will not, at this time, put thee to death_ He does... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then tidings came to Joab_ Concerning Adonijah's death, and Abiathar's deposition. _And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord_ This makes it appear that Joab had had a hand in the counsel mentioned 1 Kings 2:22, as Solomon suspected. _And caught hold on the horns of the altar _ It appears from... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go, fall upon him_ Namely if he will not come out from thence, as I foresee he will not. _Thus saith the king, Come forth_ That the king gave this command, though it be not mentioned before, is evident, both from the nature of the thing, for Solomon would not pollute the altar without necessity, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Do as he hath said_ Kill him, though he be there; take him from that place, and then kill him: for Exodus 21:14, doth not command the ruler to kill the murderer there, but to remove him thence; _to take him from the altar, that he may die. That thou mayest take away the innocent blood from me_ King... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord shall return his blood_ The guilt of the blood which he hath shed. _Upon his own head_ Shall make him alone bear the punishment of his iniquity. _Who fell upon two men more righteous than he _ Of more ingenuous and generous tempers, abhorring such treacherous practices; and both of them de... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go not forth thence any whither_ Solomon, it is likely, suspected Shimei's loyalty and fidelity, and therefore ordered this, 1st, for his own security. For by confining him to the royal city, he would have him always under his eye, and in a place where, as in a public theatre, all his words and act... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the day thou passest over the brook Kidron_, &c. Which Solomon mentions, because it was in the way to Bahurim, where Shimei's former and settled habitation was, as appears by comparing 2 Samuel 15:23, with 1 Kings 16:5. But Solomon's meaning was, and so, no doubt, was understood by Shimei, that... [ Continue Reading ]
_The saying is good_ Thy sentence is much more merciful than I expected or deserve. _As my lord hath said, so will thy servant do_ And it appears from 1 Kings 2:42, that he not only promised this, but confirmed his promise by an oath, being required by Solomon so to do.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Achish king of Gath_ A king, but subject and tributary, first to David, and then to Solomon: permitted to enjoy the title and honour of a king, but not the full power: whence it was, that Achish could not keep these servants, though they had fled to him for protection; but suffered Shimei to take t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord?_ He lay under the guilt of two crimes: of disobeying the king's express command, and violating his oath to God, which latter Solomon terms _the oath of the Lord_, because it was taken in the Lord's presence, and the Lord was called upon as a witness of i... [ Continue Reading ]
_The throne of David_ To which Shimei had wished confusion; the royal power and dignity conferred upon him and his heirs. _Shall be established_ By the execution of such righteous judgments as this. _Before the Lord for ever_ In the presence of that God who is both an observer and rewarder of all su... [ Continue Reading ]