INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2 This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1 Kings 2:1; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute j... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE DAYS OF DAVID DREW NIGH THAT HE SHOULD DIE,.... The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, Job 14:5; and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching d... [ Continue Reading ]
I GO THE WAY OF ALL THE EARTH,.... A path which is the path of death o, which all pass in, kings and peasants, high and low, rich and poor, great and small, good and bad; none are exempted, all must die, and do; it is the appointment of God, a decree which can never be reversed; all experience confi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND KEEP THE CHARGE OF THE LORD THY GOD,.... Which may in general respect his whole walk and conversation, and his obedience to the law and will of God; and in particular his just government of Israel committed to his charge: TO WALK IN HIS WAYS; directed to in his word: TO KEEP HIS STATUTES AND H... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE LORD MAY CONTINUE HIS WORD WHICH HE SPAKE CONCERNING ME,.... his word of promise concerning the kingdom of David, and the succession of it, and confirm and establish it: SAYING, IF THY CHILDREN TAKE HEED TO THEIR WAY; they are directed to walk in, even the way of the Lord, and not turn to... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
DO THEREFORE ACCORDING TO THY WISDOM,.... Which though young began to appear in him, even in the life of his father; he therefore exhorts him to use the wisdom he had, and take the first and fittest opportunity to cut him off for his former murders and late treason, as a dangerous man to his governm... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SHOW KINDNESS TO THE SONS OF BARZILLAI THE GILEADITE,.... Who perhaps was now dead, and therefore he would have kindness shown to his posterity for his sake: AND LET THEM BE OF THOSE THAT EAT OF THY TABLE; as Mephibosheth had at his, who also perhaps was dead, since no notice is taken of him; a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEHOLD [THOU HAST] WITH THEE SHIMEI THE SON OF GERA, A BENJAMITE OF BAHURIM,.... Of whom, and of his native place, 2 Samuel 16:5; he was now at Jerusalem, and so with Solomon, or near at hand; and was on his side, and of his party; see 1 Kings 1:8; but not to be trusted, or looked upon as a rea... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THEREFORE HOLD HIM NOT GUILTLESS,.... Do not look upon him as an innocent person; and if he commits an offence against thee, as he has against me, do not acquit him as I have done: FOR THOU [ART] A WISE MAN; so it seems he was before the appearance of the Lord to him at Gibeon, even before his... [ Continue Reading ]
SO DAVID SLEPT WITH HIS FATHERS,.... Died as his ancestors before him did; for, buried with them he was not; and therefore cannot be understood of his lying with them in the grave, but in the state of the dead; he died according as the Jews say q on the day of Pentecost, and according to Bishop Ushe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE DAYS THAT DAVID REIGNED OVER ISRAEL [WERE] FORTY YEARS,.... So says Eupolemus s, an Heathen writer, which are thus reckoned: SEVEN YEARS REIGNED HE IN HEBRON; the six months over are omitted, 2 Samuel 5:5; this part of his reign was over Judah only: AND THIRTY THREE YEARS REIGNED HE IN JER... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAT SOLOMON ON THE THRONE OF DAVID HIS FATHER,.... So he did in his lifetime, with his consent, and by his order, and now by the agreement of the whole people: AND HIS KINGDOM WAS ESTABLISHED GREATLY; all submitting to it, and none opposing it.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ADONIJAH THE SON OF HAGGITH CAME TO BATHSHEBA, THE MOTHER OF SOLOMON,.... Into her apartment; Abarbinel thinks it was a few days after the death of David: AND SHE SAID, COMEST THOU PEACEABLY? in a friendly manner, with no ill design, only to pay a friendly visit; for she might fear he came to a... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAID, MOREOVER, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY UNTO THEE,.... Signifying that he came upon business: AND SHE SAID, SAY ON; intimating her readiness to hear what it was.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, THOU KNOWEST THAT THE KINGDOM WAS MINE,.... Belonged to him by virtue of his birthright; he was heir to it, being the eldest son: AND [THAT] ALL ISRAEL SET THEIR FACES ON ME, THAT I SHOULD REIGN; which was not true; for, as Bathsheba says, the body of the people were in suspense, their... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW I ASK ONE PETITION OF THEE,.... And but one, and a small one too, as Bathsheba herself after calls it: DENY ME NOT, or "turn not away my face" t; with shame and sorrow, which would be the case should he be denied: AND SHE SAID UNTO HIM, SAY ON; let me hear it. t תשיבי את פני "ne avertere... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, SPEAK, I PRAY THEE, UNTO SOLOMON THE KING,.... He owns him to be king, and which he the rather did to engage her to take his suit in hand, and to cover his design: FOR HE WILL NOT SAY THEE NAY; or turn away thy face, or deny thy request; she being his mother, for whom he had a great af... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BATHSHEBA SAID, WELL,.... Very well spoken, the thing is good and right: I WILL SPEAK FOR THEE UNTO THE KING; and use her interest with him, not seeing into his design, but pitying an unfortunate man.... [ Continue Reading ]
BATHSHEBA THEREFORE WENT UNTO KING SOLOMON, TO SPEAK UNTO HIM FOR ADONIJAH,.... She went from her own house to the palace; for she might not live at court; or however had an apartment to herself, from whence she went to the king with her suit in favour of Adonijah: AND THE KING ROSE UP TO MEET HER,... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE SAID, I DESIRE ONE SMALL PETITION OF THEE,.... It was but one, and a little one, and therefore she hoped it would be granted: [I PRAY THEE], SAY ME NOT NAY; do not refuse it, or deny it me, or turn away my thee with shame and disappointment: AND THE KING SAID, ASK ON, MY MOTHER, FOR I WIL... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE SAID, LET ABISHAG THE SHUNAMMITE BE GIVEN TO ADONIJAH THY BROTHER TO WIFE. For so Adonijah was by his father's side; and Bathsheba makes use of the relation, the more to move upon him to grant the request.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND KING SOLOMON ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIS MOTHER,.... With as much gentleness and mildness as he could, but inwardly fired at her request, and amazed at it, and could not forbear using some degree of tartness and resentment: AND WHY DOST THOU ASK ABISHAG THE SHUNAMMITE FOR ADONIJAH? is this a sma... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN KING SOLOMON SWARE BY THE LORD,.... To prevent his mother pressing him to have her petition granted: SAYING, GOD DO SO TO ME, AND MORE ALSO; lay such and such evils upon me, and more than I care to express: IF ADONIJAH HAVE NOT SPOKEN THIS WORD AGAINST HIS OWN LIFE; to his own prejudice, and... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THEREFORE, AS THE LORD LIVETH,.... Which is another oath; and one may easily perceive hereby in what a temper and disposition Solomon was, how warm, earnest, and vehement, how resolute against the petition, and how determined he was to punish Adonijah and his confederates: WHICH HATH ESTABLISHE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND KING SOLOMON SENT BY THE HAND OF BENAIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA,.... Orders to execute him, and proper persons to do it; perhaps some of the Cherethites and Pelethites under him, to assist at least in it: AND HE FELL UPON HIM, THAT HE DIED; Benaiah rushed in upon him with his men, and thrust his s... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO ABIATHAR THE PRIEST SAID THE KING,.... Who was either at court, or he sent for him, and thus addressed him: GET THEE TO ANATHOTH; a city of the tribe of Benjamin, given to the priests, Joshua 21:18; of which place Abiathar might be originally, and whither he is bid to return: UNTO THINE O... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SOLOMON THRUST OUT ABIATHAR FROM BEING PRIEST UNTO THE LORD,.... He deposed him from his office of high priest, otherwise I suppose he might officiate as a common priest, at least in some of the branches of it; this was done by his own authority as a king, and not as a prophet, as Bellarmine vain... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TIDINGS CAME TO JOAB,.... Of the death of Adonijah, and the deposition of Abiathar: FOR JOAB HAD TURNED AFTER ADONIJAH; publicly appeared at his feast, when he was saluted king by him, and others, and privately gave him advice in the affair of Abishag: THOUGH HE TURNED NOT AFTER ABSALOM; did... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT WAS TOLD KING SOLOMON THAT JOAB WAS FLED UNTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD,.... This account was brought him very probably by some of his courtiers: AND, BEHOLD, [HE IS] BY THE ALTAR; to which he betook himself for refuge, laying hold on the horns of it: THEN SOLOMON SENT BENAIAH THE SON OF J... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BENAIAH CAME TO THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD,.... At Gibeon: AND SAID UNTO HIM; that is, to Joab: THUS SAITH THE KING, COME FORTH; meaning, out of the tabernacle; which plainly shows that his orders were not to slay him in it: AND HE SAID, NAY, BUT I WILL DIE HERE; since he must die, he chose t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING SAID UNTO HIM, DO AS HE HATH SAID, AND FALL UPON HIM, AND BURY HIM,.... Let him die where he is, slay him upon the spot, and then bury him; not by the altar, but in his own sepulchre, as later related, that in, give orders to bury him there; for Benaiah being a priest, could not be conc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SHALL RETURN HIS BLOOD UPON HIS OWN HEAD,.... By way of retaliation, blood for blood: WHO FELL UPON TWO MEN MORE RIGHTEOUS AND BETTER THAN HE; later named; for though they had been in open rebellion against David, yet had submitted, and were reconciled and received into favour; and eve... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR BLOOD SHALL THEREFORE RETURN UPON THE HEAD OF JOAB, AND UPON THE HEAD OF HIS SEED FOR EVER,.... Not only upon Joab, but upon his posterity as long as there would be any; signifying, that Joab's death would not be a sufficient satisfaction, but the punishment of his murders would be continued t... [ Continue Reading ]
SO BENAIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA WENT UP,.... To Gibeon, which was a great high place, 1 Kings 3:4; AND FELL UPON HIM, AND SLEW HIM; at the altar; or, dragging him from it at some distance, drew his sword and slew him: AND HE WAS BURIED IN HIS OWN HOUSE IN THE WILDERNESS; not in his dwelling house s... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING PUT BENAIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA IN HIS ROOM OVER THE HOST,.... Advanced him from being captain of his bodyguards to be general of the army: AND ZADOK THE PRIEST DID HE PUT IN THE ROOM OF ABIATHAR; from a common priest he promoted him to the high priesthood; whereby that office was rest... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING SENT AND CALLED FOR SHIMEI,.... Who had cursed his father; he lived at Bahurim, in the tribe of Benjamin, and from thence he sent for him to him, 2 Samuel 16:5; AND SAID UNTO HIM, BUILD THEE AN HOUSE IN JERUSALEM AND DWELL THERE, AND GO NOT FROM THENCE ANY WHERE; the orders were to re... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT SHALL BE, [THAT] ON THE DAY THOU GOEST OUT,.... Out of the city of Jerusalem: and passest over the brook Kidron: which is particularly mentioned, because this lay in his way to Bahurim, his native place; he must cross that to go to it, see 2 Samuel 15:23; and where it might reasonably be supp... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHIMEI SAID UNTO THE KING, THE SAYING [IS] GOOD,.... It was an act of goodness in the king, and what was good, grateful, and acceptable to him; for being sent for by him, and knowing how he had used his father, and hearing of several traitors being put to death, he expected this would have been... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS, AT THE END OF THREE YEARS,.... He had dwelt at Jerusalem: THAT TWO OF THE SERVANTS OF SHIMEI RAN AWAY TO ACHISH THE SON OF MAACHAH KING OF GATH; AND THEY TOLD SHIMEI, SAYING, BEHOLD, THY SERVANT [BE] IN GATH; he being a churlish, ill-natured man, always cursing or beating them,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHIMEI AROSE, AND SADDLED HIS ASS, AND WENT TO GATH TO ACHISH TO SEEK HIS SERVANTS,.... And demand them; through the passion he was in with his servants, and his hurry to get them home, and the covetous disposition which prevailed on him, he might forget, or be tempted to neglect, the prohibitio... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT WAS TOLD SOLOMON,.... By the spies he set to watch and observe his motions, or by some others who had seen him go out and return, and knew that it was contrary to the king's orders: THAT SHIMEI HAD GONE FROM JERUSALEM TO GATH, AND WAS COME AGAIN; which was thirty four miles from Jerusalem h;... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING SENT AND CALLED FOR SHIMEI,.... He sent messengers to him, and by them ordered him to come to him, who accordingly came: AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, DID NOT I MAKE THEE SWEAR BY THE LORD; which, though not before mentioned, was no doubt done, nor did Shimei deny it: AND PROTESTED UNTO THEE;... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY THEN HAST THOU NOT KEPT THE OATH OF THE LORD,.... Which was made by him, and in his presence, and in which he was appealed to, and so by not keeping it was guilty of perjury: AND THE COMMANDMENT THAT I HAVE CHARGED THEE WITH? and so guilty of disobedience to him as his sovereign; for which two... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING SAID MOREOVER TO SHIMEI,.... Not as another reason for his putting him to death, but to remind him of his former sins, and to observe to him the providence of God in suffering him to fall into others, that justice might take place upon him for them also: THOU KNOWEST ALL THE WICKEDNESS WHI... [ Continue Reading ]
AND KING SOLOMON [SHALL BE] BLESSED,.... With a long and peaceable reign, and large dominions, notwithstanding all the attempts to make him unhappy: AND THE THRONE OF DAVID SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE LORD FOR EVER; the kingdom of David over Judah for a long time, in his natural line; and the k... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE KING COMMANDED BENAIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA, WHICH WENT OUT,.... From the presence of the king, and took Shimei with him to the proper place of execution, it not being fitting to execute him before the king: AND FELL UPON HIM, THAT HE DIED; put him to death by the sword: AND THE KINGDOM WAS... [ Continue Reading ]