Now king David was old [and] stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Ver. 1. _Now king David was old._] His numbering the people is by some held to be the last act he did before he took his bed. But by others, with more probability, that all those things recorded i... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. Ver. 2. _Wherefore his servants said unto him,_] _i.e., _ His physicians, his... [ Continue Reading ]
So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. Ver. 3. _So they sought for a fair damsel._] The natural cause why they went this way to work rather than by wines, furs, &c., was _quia ille calor humanus in substanti... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the damsel [was] very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not._ Ver. 4. _And the damsel was very fair._] And therefore lovely, οττι καλον φιλον εστι, and fitter for the purpose. _ But the king knew her not._] _Utpote frigidus et inhabilis ad generandum;... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. Ver. 5. _Exalted himself, saying, I will be king._] This was another of David's darlings. Him and Absalom, David had honoured, as Eli had done his tw... [ Continue Reading ]
And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also [was a] very goodly [man]; and [his mother] bare him after Absalom. Ver. 6. _And his father had not displeased him at any time._] Heb., From his days, _i.e., _ from his childhood; therefore he displeased... [ Continue Reading ]
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped [him]. Ver. 7. _And he conferred with Joab, &c._] Seeking to draw these grandees to his party, whom he knew to be discontented, and therefore more easily wrought upon. Joab was conscious... [ Continue Reading ]
But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which [belonged] to David, were not with Adonijah. Ver. 8. _But Zadok the priest._] So Cranmer and Ridley, and some few other conscientious persons, afterwards ill rewarded by Quee... [ Continue Reading ]
And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which [is] by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: Ver. 9. _And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen._] Hitherto all went ‘hail well' with these gallants: and many a heal... [ Continue Reading ]
But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not. Ver. 10. _But Nathan the prophet._] These were no whit the worse men for being thus neglected. The wise historian observed, that the statues of Brutus and Cassius _a_ were the more glorious and illustri... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth [it] not? Ver. 11. _Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba._] See here, saith P. Martyr, how God by weak means confoundeth the mighty, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. Ver. 12. _That thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon._] Which the usurper will surely take away if he carry the crown; not suffering any such... [ Continue Reading ]
Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? Ver. 13. Didst not thou swear … unto thine handmaid?] This was don... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words. Ver. 14. _I will come in after thee, and confirm thy words,_] _a_ Heb., Fill up - that is, say the same, and more. There are some seeming contradictions in Scripture: and though they seem to b... [ Continue Reading ]
And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. Ver. 15. _And the king was very old._] Yet little more than half so old as a plain countryman whom I spoke with yesterday, being May 15, A.D. 1656, at Stratford-upon... [ Continue Reading ]
And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? Ver. 16. _What wouldest thou?_] Heb., What to thee? _q.d., _ I am ready to hearken to thee. She had been a good wife to him, and knew how to command him by obeying him, as Livia did Augustus, and much bette... [ Continue Reading ]
And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, [saying], Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. Ver. 17. _Shall reign after me._] This was the substance of the promise confirmed by oath. _ And he shall sit upon my thr... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest [it] not: Ver. 18. _And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth._] His ambition hath turned off his obedience. Had his right to the kingdom been never so good, yet to step into the throne, while his father was yet living, without hi... [ Continue Reading ]
And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. Ver. 19. _But Solomon thy servant._] Not thy sovereign, as Adonijah affecteth to be. See on... [ Continue Reading ]
And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel [are] upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. Ver. 20. _That thou shouldest tell them, &c._] This some princes love not to do, - Queen Elizabeth for instance. A false Jesuit wrote, that she... [ Continue Reading ]
Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders. Ver. 21. _Shall be counted offenders._] Heb., Sinners. _Erimus Mamzeres_ - so Jerome senseth it, out of the Hebrew traditions - that is, we shall be accounted b... [ Continue Reading ]
And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. Ver. 22. _Nathan the prophet also came in._] And so Bathsheba went out, 1Ki 1:28 that it might not appear to be a plot betwixt them.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. Ver. 23. _Behold Nathan the prophet._] Who was a privy counsellor to David, though he had so sharply reproved him. 2Sa 12:1-12 _ He bowe... [ Continue Reading ]
And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? Ver. 24. _Hast thou said?_] _q.d., _ I think not. _Exordium ex abrupto, per admirationem._... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah._ Ver. 25. _And hath slain oxen and fat c... [ Continue Reading ]
But me, [even] me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. Ver. 26. _But me, even me._] As some useless person, as an ουτιδανος, as if I were no prophet of the Lord, or as if there were not a woe to such rebellious children as... [ Continue Reading ]
Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed [it] unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him? Ver. 27. _And thou hast not showed it, &c._] See on 1 Kings 1:23 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. Ver. 28. _Call me Bathsheba._] See on 1 Kings 1:22 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king sware, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Ver. 29. _Who hath delivered my soul._] Deliverance commandeth obedience. Ezr 9:13-14... [ Continue Reading ]
Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. Ver. 30. _Even so will I certainly do this day._] Before tomorrow: for the business requireth expedition, s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Bathsheba bowed with [her] face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever._ Ver. 31. _Let my lord king David live for ever,_] _i.e., _ Let him live his utmost. Agrippina hastened her husband Claudius the emperor's death, that her son Nero migh... [ Continue Reading ]
And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. Ver. 32. _And Nathan the prophet._] So far was David from hatred of truth, that he loved Nathan the better for his plain dealing while he lived, gave him free acces... [ Continue Reading ]
The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: Ver. 33. _Take with you the servants of your lord._] My guard, and the garrison soldiers that are at hand. _ To ride upon mine own mule._] In tok... [ Continue Reading ]
And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. Ver. 34. _And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet._] That the young king might learn betime to hearken to such, and to give them all due respect.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. Ver. 35. _For he shall be king in my stead._] The son of our King Henry II was crowned king by his father, who at his coronati... [ Continue Reading ]
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so [too]. Ver. 36. Amen: the Lord … say so too.] Amen is, (1.) Assenting; (2.) Assevering; (3.) Assuring. It is as much as So be it; yea, So it shall be; It must be so, if, as here, the Lord our... [ Continue Reading ]
As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David. Ver. 37. _And make his throne greater._] God heard this prayer, and said Amen to it, set his fiat to it: for Solomon's reign, accomplished with a civil and rel... [ Continue Reading ]
So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. Ver. 38. _And brought him to Gihon._] See on 1 Kings 1:33 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. Ver. 39. _Took an horn of oil._] Whereof there was great use in the tabernacle. It was not that holy oil which was at first provided for t... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them. Ver. 40. _Piped with pipes._] Or, Flutes; that Adonijah's party might hear and be startled with those noises, which at once proclaimed Solomon's triumph... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Adonijah and all the guests that [were] with him heard [it] as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore [is this] noise of the city being in an uproar?_ Ver. 41. _As they had made an end of eating._] Ever after the meal is ended, comes th... [ Continue Reading ]
And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou [art] a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. Ver. 42. _And bringest good tidings._] So Adonijah would have had it; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish; when they... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. Ver. 43. _Verily our lord king David,_] _q.d., _ Good news say you? truly not so good as you think, for all is like to be nought on your side: _Postea nullus eris._ Afterward it will be nothing.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule: Ver. 44. _And the king hath sent with him Zadok._] All this relation was to Adonijah and his gue... [ Continue Reading ]
And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This [is] the noise that ye have heard. Ver. 45. _This is the noise that ye have heard._] A doleful knell to those who had feasted and boasted themse... [ Continue Reading ]
And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom. Ver. 46. _And also Solomon sitteth._] He is in actual possession, and therefore you are lost. Every man is either a king or a captive; _Aut Caesar, aut nullus._ Either Caesar or no one. Every man, saith Augustine, shall either reign with Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. Ver. 47. _Better than thy name, and his throne greater._] This wish of his servants wa... [ Continue Reading ]
And also thus said the king, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which hath given [one] to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing [it]. Ver. 48. _To sit on my throne this day._] Nevertheless David did not during his life wholly lay aside the kingly power; but gave it to his son whilst he... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the guests that [were] with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way. Ver. 49. _And all the guests._] Who had now nothing so good cheer as Solomon's guests, praise at parting; those that erewhile fed without fear, are now in great horror, the traitor's raced. _ Were af... [ Continue Reading ]
And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. Ver. 50. _On the horns of the altar._] Which hitherto, haply, he had despised.... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword. Ver. 51. _Hath caught hold on the horns._] Hither fled malefactors, as to a... [ Continue Reading ]
And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die. Ver. 52. _If he will show himself a worthy man._] viz., For future; his present offence I pardon him, but he is upon his good behaviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house. Ver. 53. _Go to thine house._] Meddle not with state matters, but mind thine own affairs; _Res tuas age, intra tuam pelliculam te contine._ “... [ Continue Reading ]