1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:2 BE STRONG, AND SHOW YOURSELF A MAN. David’s parting words to Solomon echo God’s words to Joshua when he became the leader of Israel after Moses’ death (Joshua 1:6). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:4 HIS WORD THAT HE SPOKE CONCERNING ME. The reference is apparently to 2 Samuel 7:11, although that passage does not mention any conditions attached to the promise (IF YOUR SONS PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THEIR WAY). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:5 WHAT JOAB THE SON OF ZERUIAH DID TO ME. Joab is to be killed to clear David’s house of “the guilt for the blood” that Joab “shed without cause” (v. 1 Kings 2:31). It is interesting, however, that David himself had apparently not been concerned enough about this previously... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:6 ACCORDING TO YOUR WISDOM. Solomon must find a way to ensure that Joab’s death is not a peaceful and natural death in old age (DO NOT LET HIS GRAY HEAD GO DOWN TO SHEOL IN PEACE). For “Sheol,” see note on 1 Sam. 2:6. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img")... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:10 DAVID SLEPT WITH HIS FATHERS. The metaphor of sleep hints at the expectation of awakening sometime in the future. “With his fathers” suggests that previous generations also join in this hope, and that David is somehow now with them. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElemen... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:11 David REIGNED OVER ISRAEL for FORTY YEARS, and died in 970 B.C. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:12 HIS KINGDOM WAS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED. God has done for Solomon what he had done earlier for David (2 Samuel 5:12), keeping his promise to David (1 Kings 2:24). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:17 GIVE ME ABISHAG THE SHUNAMMITE AS MY WIFE. 2 Samuel 16:20 suggests that sexual relations with the king’s concubines amounted to a claim to the throne. Solomon interprets Adonijah’s request as a revival of his conspiracy (1 Kings 1:1). It was precisely the “wickedness” ag... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:22 MY OLDER BROTHER. At least some Israelites would have believed that the eldest son had a special claim to the throne. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:26 YOU DESERVE DEATH. There is no evidence that Abiathar and Joab had anything to do with Adonijah’s request regarding Abishag, but both are pronounced guilty by association. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:27 THUS FULFILLING THE WORD OF THE LORD... CONCERNING THE HOUSE OF ELI IN SHILOH. Compare 1 Samuel 2:27. Abiathar is identified as a member of Eli’s house in 1 Samuel 22:20, and the “faithful priest” of 1 Samuel 2:35 is now discovered to be Zadok (1 Kings 2:35).... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:28 Following David’s instructions (see vv. 1 Kings 2:5 and notes), Solomon moves to have JOAB killed. HORNS OF THE ALTAR. See note on 1:50. BENAIAH... STRUCK HIM DOWN. Joab does not think that Solomon will be as ruthless as Joab had shown himself to be, that is, prepared ev... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 2:36 Solomon moves next to kill SHIMEI, who had cursed David as he fled from Absalom (see vv. 1 Kings 2:7; 2 Samuel 16:5). When Shimei ignores Solomon’s order not to go from Jerusalem to any other place, Solomon orders his execution. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElement [ Continue Reading ]