1 Kings 2:1
The events related in 1 Chr. 28–29 had occurred in the interval which separates the last and this present chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
The events related in 1 Chr. 28–29 had occurred in the interval which separates the last and this present chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
David appears to have in his thoughts the divine address to Joshua. Without following it servilely, he reproduces several of its leading expressions and sentiments (compare the margin reference). Solomon’s youth clearly constituted one of the chief difficulties of his position. If he was about ninet... [ Continue Reading ]
The “statutes” have been explained to be the positive ordinances of the Law; the “commandments” the moral precepts, not to steal, etc.; the “judgments” the laws belonging to civil government; and the “testimonies” the laws directing the commemoration of certain events. Compare Psalms 19:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE LORD MAY CONTINUE HIS WORD - The original promise given to David indirectly, through Nathan 2 Samuel 7:11, and apparently unconditional, afterward was made conditional upon continued obedience. (See the margin reference “f.”) David reminds Solomon of this, in order to impress upon him a pow... [ Continue Reading ]
In his directions with respect to certain important persons, David, anxious for the security of his young successor’s kingdom, allows old animosities to revive, and is willing to avenge himself indirectly and by deputy, though he had been withheld by certain scruples from taking vengeance in his own... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HOAR HEAD - Joab, though the nephew of David, was probably not very greatly his junior, David being the youngest of the family, and Zeruiah, as is most likely, one of the eldest.... [ Continue Reading ]
One of the sons of Barzillai here intended was probably Chimham (see the margin reference). Who the others were is not known. The family continued down to the return from the captivity, and still held property in Israel (compare Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63).... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLD HIM NOT GUILTLESS - i. e. “Do not treat him as an innocent man. Punish him as in thy wisdom thou deemest best. Not capitally at once; but so that he may be likely to give thee in course of time a just occasion to slay him.” So, at least, Solomon seems to have understood the charge. (See 1 Kings... [ Continue Reading ]
FORTY YEARS - In all forty years and six months. See 2 Samuel 5:5, and 1 Chronicles 3:4. The Jewish writers almost universally omit the fractions of a year.... [ Continue Reading ]
The “establishment” of the kingdom here intended is probably its universal acceptance both by the tribe of Judah and the other Israelites.... [ Continue Reading ]
DENY ME NOT - literally, as in the margin, i. e. “make me not to hide my face through shame at being refused.”... [ Continue Reading ]
A SEAT - Or, “a throne.” We have here a proof of the high dignity of the Queen-mother. Compare also 1Ki 15:13; 2 Kings 11:1. In the Persian court the Queen-mother had often the chief power.... [ Continue Reading ]
ASK FOR HIM THE KINGDOM ALSO - Bath-sheba had not seen anything dangerous or suspicious in Adonijah’s request. Solomon, on the contrary, takes alarm at once. To ask for Abishag was to ask for the kingdom. To the Oriental mind a monarch was so sacred, that whatever was brought near to him was thencef... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST HIS OWN LIFE - Adonijah had forfeited his life by his former conduct, and his pardon had been merely conditional 1 Kings 1:52.... [ Continue Reading ]
The phrase “making a house” means “continuing the posterity” of a person, and, in the case of a royal person, “maintaining his descendants upon the throne.”... [ Continue Reading ]
For Anathoth and the allusions in this verse, see the margin reference.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE MIGHT FULFIL THE WORD OF THE L RD - We need not understand this as stating that the fulfillment of the old prophecy was Solomon’s motive, or even one of his motives. The reference is to the overruling providence of God, which thus brought about the fulfillment of the prophecy. (Compare Matth... [ Continue Reading ]
Joab followed the example of Adonijab (margin reference). The tabernacle was now at Gibeon 1 Kings 3:4; 1 Chronicles 16:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
It was only a murderer to whom the tabernacle was to be no protection (margin reference). Hence, the reference to the “innocent blood.”... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALT RETURN HIS BLOOD - i. e. “his shedding of blood.”... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON THE HEAD OF HIS SEED - Compare the margin reference. Nothing further is heard of Joab’s descendants in the history.... [ Continue Reading ]
Retribution overtook Joab on the very scene (Gibeon) of the most treacherous of his murders. It was at the “great stone which is in Gibeon” that Joab killed Amasa 2 Samuel 20:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
The high priesthood had been for some time in a certain sense divided between Zadok and Abiathar. (See the 1 Kings 1:8 note). Henceforth, Zadok became sole high priest.... [ Continue Reading ]
The object, apparently, was to keep Shimei under the immediate eye of the government. Shimei’s old home, Bahurim, lay east of Jerusalem, on the road to Jericho, 2 Samuel 17:18, and could only be reached by crossing the Kedron valley. Solomon assumes, that, if he quits the city, it will probably be i... [ Continue Reading ]
ACHISH - Possibly the Achish of the marginal reference, but more probably the grandson of the former Achish.... [ Continue Reading ]
DID I NOT MAKE THEE TO SWEAR - The Septuagint add to 1 Kings 2:37 a clause stating that Solomon “made Shimei swear” on the day when he commanded him to reside at Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]