NOW - Rather, “and.” The conjunction has here, probably, the same sort of connecting force which it has at the opening of Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, etc., and implies that the historian regards his work as a continuation of a preceding history. KING DAVID - The expression “king David,” instead of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Since the Jewish law allowed polygamy, David’s conduct in following - what has been said to have been - physician’s advice, was blameless.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NARRATIVE CONCERNING - Abishag, the Shunammite (see the margin reference “a”), is introduced as necessary for a proper understanding of Adonijah’s later history (see 1 Kings 2:13.) But even as it stands, it heightens considerably the picture drawn of the poor king’s weak and helpless condition,... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD NOT DISPLEASED HIM - i. e. “His father had never checked or thwarted him all his life.” A VERY GOODLY MAN - Here, too, Adonijah resembled Absalom 2 Samuel 14:25. The Jews, like the other nations of antiquity, regarded the physical qualities of rulers as of great importance, and wished their kin... [ Continue Reading ]
Joab’s defection on this occasion, after his faithful adherence to David during the troubles caused by Absalom 2 Samuel 18:2, may be accounted for by his fear that Solomon would be a “man of rest” 1 Chronicles 22:9 and by his preference for the character of Adonijah. He may also have thought that Ad... [ Continue Reading ]
There is some difficulty in understanding how Zadok and Abiathar came to be both “priests” at this time, and in what relation they stood to one another. The best explanation seems to be that Abiathar was the real high priest, and officiated at the sanctuary containing the ark of the covenant in Zion... [ Continue Reading ]
Adonijah’s feast was probably of a sacrificial character, and intended to inaugurate him as king. Compare the “sacrifices” of Absalom 2 Samuel 15:12. ZOHELETH - No satisfactory explanation has been given of this name. Large blocks of stone always attract attention in the East, and receive names whi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SON OF HAGGITH - Compare the margin reference. This expression was well chosen to touch the pride of Bath-sheba. “Adonijah; not thy son, but the son of thy rival, Haggith.”... [ Continue Reading ]
It would have been in accordance with general Eastern custom for Solomon to suffer death, if Adonijah had succeeded in his attempt. But to have executed his mother also would have been an unusual severity. Still, such cases sometimes occurred: Cassander put to death Roxana, the widow of Alexander th... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFIRM THY WORDS - “Establish” them, by giving a second testimony. Nathan thinks it best to move David’s affections first through Bath-sheba, before he comes in to discuss the matter as one of state policy, and to take the king’s orders upon it.... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE CHAMBER - The “bed-chamber” or “inner chamber.” Abishag was a disinterested witness present, who heard all that Bath-sheba said to David.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bath-sheba bowed, like the woman of Tekoah 2 Samuel 14:4, with the humble prostration of a suppliant. Hence, the king’s question, “What wouldest thou?”... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL THEM WHO SHALL SIT ON THE THRONE - Side by side with what may be called the natural right of hereditary succession, there existed in the old world, and especially in the East, a right, if not of absolutely designating a successor, yet at any rate of choosing one among several sons. Thus, Cyrus... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SLEEP - This euphemism for death, rare in the early Scriptures - being found only once in the Pentateuch (margin reference.), and once also in the historical books before Kings 2 Samuel 7:12 - becomes in Kings and Chronicles the ordinary mode of speech (see 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 11:43, etc.; 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Nathan came into the palace, not into the chamber, where he might not enter unannounced. Bath-sheba retired before Nathan entered, in accordance with Oriental ideas of propriety. So, when Bath-sheba was again sent for 1 Kings 1:28, Nathan retired (compare 1 Kings 1:32).... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST THOU SAID - Thou hast said. In the original no question is asked. Nathan assumes, as far as words go, that the king has made this declaration. He wishes to draw forth a disclaimer.... [ Continue Reading ]
“As the Lord liveth” was the most common form of oath among the Israelites (e. g. Judges 8:19; 1 Samuel 14:39; 1 Samuel 19:6). It was unique to David to attach a further clause to this oath - a clause of thankfulness for some special mercy 1 Samuel 25:34, or for God’s constant protection of him (her... [ Continue Reading ]
A lower and humbler obeisance than before 1 Kings 1:16. In the Assyrian sculptures ambassadors are represented with their faces actually touching the earth before the feet of the monarch.... [ Continue Reading ]
The combination of the high priest, the prophet, and the captain of the bodyguard (the Cherethites and Pelethites, 1 Kings 1:38), would show the people that the proceedings had the king’s sanction. The order of the names marks the position of the persons with respect to the matter in hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mules and horses seem to have been first employed by the Israelites in the reign of David, and the use of the former was at first confined to great personages 2 Samuel 13:29; 2 Samuel 18:9. The rabbis tell us that it was death to ride on the king’s mule without his permission; and thus it would be t... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOINT HIM - Inauguration into each of the three offices (those of prophet, priest, and king) typical of the Messiah or Anointed One, was by anointing with oil. Divine appointment had already instituted the rite in connection with the kingly office 2 Samuel 2:4; but after Solomon we have no express... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER ISRAEL AND OVER JUDAH - There is no anticipation here of the subsequent division of the kingdom; the antithesis between Judah and Israel already existed in the reign of David 2 Samuel 2:9; 2 Samuel 19:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE LORD HATH BEEN WITH MY LORD - This phrase expresses a very high degree of divine favor. It occurs first in the promises of God to Isaac Genesis 26:3, Genesis 26:24 and Jacob Genesis 28:13. See further margin reference.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE - Probably that which David had made for the ark of the covenant on Mount Zion 2 Samuel 6:17. For the holy oil, see the margin reference. That it was part of the regular furniture of the tabernacle appears from Exodus 31:11; Exodus 39:38.... [ Continue Reading ]
PIPED WITH PIPES - Some prefer “danced with dances” - a meaning which the Hebrew would give by a change in the pointing, and the alteration of one letter. But the change is unnecessary. (Flutepipes were known to the Israelites 1 Samuel 10:5; they were very ancient in Egypt, and were known also to th... [ Continue Reading ]
Jonathan had acted in a similar capacity, as a carrier of intelligence, in the time of Absalom’s attempt 2 Samuel 15:36; 2 Samuel 17:17; but at that time, like his father, he was faithful to David, and “a valiant man,” “a virtuous man,” or “a man of worth.” (See 1 Kings 1:52; Proverbs 12:4.)... [ Continue Reading ]
VERILY - “Nay, but” (or, “Not so”).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING BOWED HIMSELF - The king worshipped God and prayed that it might be so. Compare Genesis 47:31, with margin reference, Hebrews 11:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
On the “horns” of the altar, see Exodus 27:2 note. The altar to which Adonijah fled was probably in the “tabernacle” already referred to 1 Kings 1:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE SHALT NOT AN HAIR ... - This was a proverbial expression, meaning “he shall suffer no hurt at all.” Solomon’s clemency in pardoning Adonijah is very remarkable. In the East not only are pretenders almost always punished with death, but it has often been the custom for each king upon his access... [ Continue Reading ]