Seven hundred wives, &c. — God had particularly forbidden the kings to multiply either horses or wives, Deuteronomy 17:16, we saw 1 Kings 10:29, how he broke the former law, multiplying horses: and here we see, how he broke the latter, multiplying wives. David set the example. One ill act of a good... [ Continue Reading ]
Was old — As having now reigned nigh thirty years. When it might have been expected that experience would have made him wiser: then God permitted him to fall so shamefully, that he might be to all succeeding generations an example of the folly, and weakness of the wisest and the best men, when left... [ Continue Reading ]
Milcom — Called also Moloch.... [ Continue Reading ]
Did evil — That is, did not worship God wholly, but joined idols with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
An high place — That is, an altar upon the high place, as the manner of the Heathens was. The hill — In the mount of olives, which was nigh unto Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 15:30, and from this act was called the mount of corruption, 2 Kings 23:13. As it were, to confront the temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
And sacrificed, &c. — See what need those have to stand upon their guard, who have been eminent for religion. The devil will set upon them most violently: and if they miscarry, the reproach is the greater. It is the evening that commends the day. Let us therefore fear, lest having run well, we come... [ Continue Reading ]
Fathers sake — For my promise made to him, 2 Samuel 7:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
One tribe — Benjamin was not entirely his, but part of it adhered to Jeroboam, as Bethel, 1 Kings 12:29, and Hephron, 2 Chronicles 13:19, both which were towns of Benjamin.... [ Continue Reading ]
In Edom — By his army, to war against it. To bury — The Israelites who were slain in the battle, 2 Samuel 8:13, whom he honourably interred in some certain place, to which he is said to go up for that end. And this gave Hadad the opportunity of making his escape, whilst Joab and his men were employe... [ Continue Reading ]
Midian — He fled at first with an intent to go into Egypt, but took Midian, a neighbouring country, in his way, and staid there a while, possibly 'till he had by some of his servants tried Pharaoh's mind, and prepared the way for his reception. Paran — Another country in the road from Edom to Egypt,... [ Continue Reading ]
Found favour — God so disposing his heart, that Hadad might be a scourge to Solomon for his impieties.... [ Continue Reading ]
Joab — Whom he feared as much as David himself. Own country — Whither accordingly he came; and was there, even from the beginning of Solomon's reign. And it is probable, by the near relation which was between his wife and Solomon's; and, by Pharaoh's intercession, he obtained his kingdom with condit... [ Continue Reading ]
Who fled — When David had defeated him. Zobah — A part of Syria, between Damascus and Euphrates.... [ Continue Reading ]
A band — Of soldiers, who fled upon that defeat, 2 Samuel 10:18, and others who readily joined them, and lived by robbery; as many Arabians did. Damascus — And took it, whilst Solomon was wallowing in luxury.... [ Continue Reading ]
All adversity — He was a secret enemy, all that time; and when Solomon had forsaken God, he shewed himself openly. Beside — This infelicity was added to the former; whilst Hadad molested him in the south, Rezon threatened him in the north. But what hurt could Hadad or Rezon have done, to so powerful... [ Continue Reading ]
Charge — The taxes and tributes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Went — Probably to execute his charge. Were alone — Having gone aside for private conference; for otherwise it is most likely that he had servants attending him, who, though they hear not the words, yet might see the action, and the rending of Jeroboam's coat; and thus it came to Solomon's ears, who... [ Continue Reading ]
For this — For this cause, which I mentioned 1 Kings 11:33. Not for ever — There shall a time come when the seed of David shall not be molested by the kingdom of Israel, but that kingdom shall be destroyed, and the kings of the house of David shall be uppermost, as it was in the days of Asa, Hezekia... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon — To whose ears this had come. Shishak — Solomon's brother — in — law, who yet might be jealous of him, or alienated from him, because he had taken so many other wives to his sister, might cast a greedy eye upon the great riches which Solomon had amassed together, and upon which, presently a... [ Continue Reading ]
The book — In the publick records, where the lives and actions of kings were registered from time to time, so this was only a political, not a sacred book.... [ Continue Reading ]
Forty years — His reign was as long as his father's, but not his life; sin shortened his days.... [ Continue Reading ]
Slept — This expression is promiscuously used concerning good and bad; and signifies only, that they died as their fathers did. But did he repent before he died? This seems to be put out of dispute by the book of Ecclesiastes; written after his fall; as is evident, not only from the unanimous testim... [ Continue Reading ]