_Years; sixty-nine, as he died when he was seventy years old. (Calmet) (2 Kings v. 4.) --- Warm. Though David was of a strong constitution, he had been so much exposed to fatigue, and so harassed with domestic broils, that his vigour was nearly decayed. (Calmet) --- The Rabbins say, that the sight o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Servants. Physicians. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] vii. 14.) --- People of the faculty still adopt the same sentiments; and when fire and clothes will not procure heat, they advise the application of living creatures. (Bartholin ix.; Galen vii.; Vales. Philos. c. 19.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sunamitess. Sunam was not far from Thabor, in the tribe of Issachar. (Calmet) --- This history leads us to explain the ambition and death of Adonias. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her. Which shews the virtue and temperance of David. (Menochius) --- She was his wife, at least of a second order. Adonias flattered himself, on account of Abisag's virginity, that the law did not hinder him from marrying her; (Leviticus xviii. 8.; Kimchi) or he was blinded by ambition. (Calmet) --... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. He was not deterred by the fate of Absalom. (Haydock) --- He was now the eldest son, and gave himself out for the presumptive heir. (Calmet) --- David is blamed for some remissness, in not repressing him; (Salien) as his conduct tended to excite confusion, and to frustrate the appointment of G... [ Continue Reading ]
_Side. For their own interest, and because they supposed that the throne belonged of course to him. (Menochius) --- This was the natural privilege, when no other disposition was made by God, or by the kings who succeeded David. They did not esteem themselves bound to leave the crown to their eldest... [ Continue Reading ]
Sadoc, the rival of Abiathar, and a descendant of Eleazar. David had permitted both to perform the functions of the high priesthood; (Calmet) or one had acted as the delegate of the other. (Salien) --- Banaias was distinguished for his valour, 2 Kings xxiii. 20. He was the flower of his age, and, pe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Slain. Either for sacrifice, or simply for a feast; (Calmet) though it is probable that victims of peace would be offered, as on similar occasions, on which the guests would afterwards feast, 1 Kings xi. (Haydock) --- Rogel, east of Jerusalem, in the vale of Josaphat. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not. Out of contempt, (Calmet) and because he knew that they would oppose his measures. (Haydock)\\_... [ Continue Reading ]
_It not. So that we may safely endeavour to overturn his plane. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Life. Both would have been in imminent danger, if the ambitious projects of Adonias succeeded, as he knew that the throne had been promised to Solomon by his father, and he would consider him as a dangerous rival. (Calmet) --- The Turkish emperors usually destroy or confine their brethren, when the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Swear. This he did, either when he comforted her, after the death of her first-born; (2 Kings xii. 24.) or rather, when Solomon had received so glorious a name, and was declared the heir by Nathan, 2 Kings vii. 12., and 1 Paralipomenon xxii. 20., and xxviii. 5. Adonias acknowledges that God had mad... [ Continue Reading ]
_Words, and confirm what thou hast said, (Menochius) reminding the king of God's express declaration. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Worshipped. Protestants, "did obeisance." Hebrew, "fell prostrate on the ground before the king," (Calmet) without any danger of idolatry. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of it. So that thy authority is also contemned. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thee. Adonias boasts that all Israel was on his side, chap. ii. 15. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Offenders. I, as guilty of adultery; and my son, as a mamzer; (Deuteronomy xxiii. 2.; Tirinus) or we shall be accounted pretenders, (Haydock) and condemned as guilty of high treason. (Calmet) --- Our hopes and expectations will be frustrated. (Vatable) (Estius) --- We shall be despised or punished.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER I.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come in. Nathan went out, at the same time; (Menochius) so that each had a private audience. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord, David. (Menochius) --- The Cerethi, and other life-guards, went under the command of their captain, Banaias, (Calmet) to repel any force that might disturb this solemn inauguration. (Haydock) --- Mule. None but the king was allowed to mount it. --- Gihon, a fountain, or place of public resort... [ Continue Reading ]
_Save, ( Vavat.) "Live." May Solomon reign for many years. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stead. Not after me only. David voluntarily abdicates the throne, so that Solomon reigned in his life-time. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_King. May all have a prosperous issue, conformably to the wishes of your majesty and the decrees of God. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_David. Parents wish their children to be still more happy than themselves, how jealous soever they may be of their own glory. (Calmet) Aspice completum votum; jam natus adæquat_ Te meritis, &, quod magis est optabile, vincit. (Claud. iv. con. Honor.)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Horn of oil. Such liquors were commonly kept in vessels of horn. (Calmet) --- Some say that oil, for the consecration of priests, was used on this occasion; and that the ceremony was performed only, when the throne was contested: as in the case of Joas, Joachaz, &c. (Haydock) --- Nathan assisted Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rang. Hebrew, "was split." Chaldean, "shook." (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Uproar. Nathan had conducted the affair with singular address. A little delay might have plunged the kingdom into all the horrors of a civil war._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not so. Hebrew, "Misfortune or mourning, or verily." A man of character did not willingly deliver a disagreeable message, 2 Kings xviii. 25. (Calmet) --- But Jonathan was concerned for his father. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed. Congratulating him on the exaltation of Solomon. --- Bed. Shewing respect to the new king, as Jacob had done to Joseph; (Genesis xlvii. 31.; Sanctius) or laying himself down again; (Calmet) or rather giving thanks to God, (Menochius) whom he adored, in gratitude for the favour of a success... [ Continue Reading ]
_Afraid. As they had offended both David and Solomon, and had rendered themselves suspected of high treason._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Altar. At Gabaon, (2 Paralipomenon i. 3.) or at Sion. All nations seemed to grant the right of an asylum to sacred places; but only in favour of the innocent, Exodus xxi. 14. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_House. He does not forbid him the court, but grants him pardon. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]