Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Abishag Cherishes David. 1 KINGS 1. Adonijah Usurps the Kingdom, pented lilm of the evil—God is often described in Scripture as repenting wlien He ceased to pursue a course Ha had begun. 17. David said (or liad said), I have sinned those thirty thousand men, because they were not all of the tribe of Judah, and therefore does not say, "all those of Judah," as he had said, "all those of Israel," but only, "and those of Judah." Thus both accounts maybe rec-. . . but these sheep, what have they done 1—The guilt of numl)eiing the people lay exclusively with David. But in the body politic as well as natural, when the head sufonciled. [Davidson.] 10-U. He, Having Three Plagues Propounded by Gad, Repents, and Chooses Three Days' Pestilence.
fers, all tlie members suffer along with it; and, besides, althougli David's sin was the Immediate cause, the great Increase of national offences at tliis time had (v. 1} ki ndled the anger of tlie Lord. 18. Arauitah—Or Ornan (1 Chron-
10. David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto tlie Iiord, I have sinned—The act of numbering the people was not icles "21. 18), the Jebusite, one of the ancient inhabitants, who, having become a convert to the true religion, retained his house and possessions. He resided on Mount Morlali, the spot on which the temple was afterwards built (2 Chronicles 3. 1), but that mount was not then enclosed in the town. 21. to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed—It is evident tliat the plague was not stayed till after the altar was built, and la it.self sinful ; for Moses did it by the e.xpress authority of God. But David acted not only independently of such order or sanction, but from motives unworthy of the delegated king of Israel; from pride and vainglory, from, self-confidence and distrust of God, and, above all, from ambitious designs of conquest, in furtherance of wliich he was determined to force the people Into military service, and to ascertain whether he could muster an army suftlie sacrifice offered, so tiiat what is related {o. IGj was by anticipation. Previous to the ottering of this sacrifice, he had seen the destroying angel as well as ottered the intercessory power (t!. 17). This was a sacrifice of expiation; and the reason wliy he was allowed to otter it on Mount Moriah, was partlj' in gracious consideration to his fear of repairing to Gibeon (1 Chronicles 21. 29, 30), and partly in anticipation of the removal of tlie tabernacle and the erection of the temple there (2 Chronicles 3.1). 23. All these things did Araunah, as a king, give—Indicating, as the sense is, that this man had been anciently a. heathen king or chief, but was now a proselyte who still retained great property and influence In Jerusalem, and whose piety was evinced by the liberality of his offers. The words, "as a king," are taken by some to signify simply, "he gave with royal munificence." 34. IVay ... 1 will ficient for the magnitude of the enterprises he contemplated. It was a breach of the constitution, an Infringement of the liberties of the people, and opposed to that Divine policy which required that Israel should continue a separate people. His eyes were not opened to tlie Iieinousness of his sin till God had spoken unto him bj' liis commissioned prophet. 13. Shall seven years of famine come unto thee i. e., in addition to the three that had been already, with tlie current year included (see on 1 Chronicles 21. 11, 12). 14. David aald, . . . Let us fall Into tlie hand of the li Ord—His overwhelming sente of his
Bin led him to acquiesce in the punishment denounced, notwithstanding its apparent excess of severity. He proceeded on a good principle in choosing the pestilence. In pestilence he was equally exposed, as it was just and right he should be, to danger as his people, whereas, in war and famine, he possessed means of protection superior to them. Besides, he thereby showed his trust, founded on long experience. In the Divine goodness.
. . . buy it of thee at a price—The sum mentioned here, viz., fifty shekels of sliver, equal £6 sterling, was paid for the floor, oxen and wood instruments only, whereas the large sum (1 Chronicles 21. 25) was paid afterwards for the whole hill, on which David made preparations for liuilding the temple. 25. David oi Tered burnt ofl Terings and peace offerings—There seem to have been two sacrifices" the first expiatory, the second a thanksgiving for the cessation of the pestilence (see on 1 Chronicles 21. 26).
l.>-2.). His Intercession to God; the Plague Ceases.
15. from the morning—Rather that morning when Gad CAme, till tlie end of the three days, there died of the people . . . seventy thousand men—Thus was the pride of tlie vainglorious monarch, confldlng In the number
Ot his population, deeply humbled. 16. the Lord re-
THE FIRST BOOK OF THEKINGS,
COMMONLY CALLED THE THIRD BOOK OF THE KINGS.
CHAPTER I.
hygeian point of view for the prolongation of his valuable life, and not merely for the comfort to be derived from the natural warmth Imparted to his withered frame. [Tent and Khan.] The polygamy of the age and country may account for the Introduction of this practice; audit
Ver. M. AnrsHAO Cherishes David in his Extuemk AOK. I. Now King Davltl was old — He was in the seventieth year of liis age (2 Samuel 5. 4, 5). But the wear and tear of a military life, bodily fatigue, and mental care, had prematurely. If we may say it, exiiau.sted the fiiergies of David's strong constitution (1 Samuel 16. 12). Jn modern Palestine and Egj'pt the people, owing to the Uenl of the climate, sleep each in a separate bed. Tliey only depart from this practice for medical reasons (Ecis evident that Abishag was maile a concubine or secondary wife to David (see on cli. 2. 22). 3. a SItunamniite Shunem, in the trilie of Issachar (Joshua 19. IS), lay on an eminence In the plain of Esdraelon, five miles south of Tabor. It Is now called Snlam.
.5-:lI. AnoNiJAii Usurps the Kingdom. 5. llien Adonijah the son of Hagglth exalted himself-Nothing is said as to the origin or rank of Ilagglth, so that it el)»iin Htes 4. II). The expedient recommended by David's ph.vsluians is the regimen prescribed in similar cases still in the East, particularly among the Arab population, not simply to give heat, but "to cherish," as thry are aware that the inhalation of young breath will give new life and vigour to the worn-out frame. The fact of the licalth of the .young and healthier person being, as it wei c, stolen to support that of the more aged and sickly
Is probable slie was not illslinguished by family descent. .Vdonljah, tbougli David's fourth son (2 Samuel 3.1; 1
C!:roii!cl('S 3.2), was now the eldest alive; and his personal altnurtions and manners (1 Samuel 9. "2) not only recommended him to the leading men about court, but made him tlie favourite of his father, who, though seeing him a.ssuiiie an eciulpage becoming only the heir-presuinptlve to the tliroiie (2.Sainuel l.j. 1), said notbiiii;; aa<1 la well established among the medical faculty. And beuue the prescription for the aged king was made in a
Nalhan Counsels Balh-sheba. 1 KINGS II. Solomon is Anointed King.
Ms silence was considered by many, as well as by Adonithe interior of a palace, but gives the impression tljata great deal of Oriental state ceremonial had been established in the Hebrew court. 30. the eyes of all Israel are upon tikee, that thou shouldest tell them wlio shall sit on the tlirone—When the kings died without declaring their will, then their eldest son succeeded. Bui frequently they designated long before their death which of their sons should iiilierit the throne. The kings ot Persia, as well as of other Eastern countries, have exercised the same right in modern and even recent times. 31. I and my son . . . shall be counted oilenders i. e., slain, according to the barbarous usage of the East towards all who are rivals to the throne. 38-31. Tlien King Da-vid answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba— He renews to her the solemn pledge he had given, in terms the .solemnity and impressiveness of which show that the aged monarch had roused himself to the duty the emergency called for.
jali, to be equivalent to an expression of consent. The Kinking health of the king prompted him to take a decisive step in furtherance of his ambitious designs. 7. he conferred with Joah—The anxiety of Adonijah to secure tlie influence of a leader so bold, enterprising, and popular with tlsc army was natural, and the accession of the hoary commander is easily accounted for from his recent grudge at the king (see on 1 Samuel 19. 13). ami with Abiathar the priest—His influence was as great over the priests and Levites— a powerful body in the kingdom—as that of Joab over the troops. It might be that both of them thought the crown belonged to Adoniiah by right of primogeniture, from his mature age and •he general expectations of the people (ch. 2. 15). 8. But Zadok the priest—He had been high priest in the tabernacle at Gibeon under Saul (1 Chronicles 16. 39). David, on his accession, had conjoined him and Abiathar equal in the exercise of their high functions (2 Samuel 8.17;
32-49. Solomon, by David's Appointment, is Anointed Kino. 33. cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule—Directions were forthwith given for the immediate coronation of Solomon. A procession was to be formed by the ".servants of their lord"— /. e., the king's body-guard. Mules were then used by all the princes (2 Samuel 13.29); but there was a state mule of which all subjects were forbidden, under pain of death, to make use, without special permission; so that its being granted to Solomon was a public declaration In his favour as the future king(seeon Esther6.8,9). bring him downto Gilion —A pool or fountain on the west of Jerusalem (see on 3 Chronicles 32. 30), chosen as equally public for the counter proclamation. 34. anoint him—Done only in the case of a new dynasty or disputed succession (see on 1 Samuel
15. 24 ; 29. 35). But it is extremely probable that some c^\use of jealousy or discord between them had arisen, and hence each lent his countenance and support to opposite parties. Benaiah—Distinguislied for his bravery
(1 Samuel 23.20); he had been appointed captain of the king's body-guard (2 Samuel 8. 18; 20.2.3; 1 Chronicles 18.
ti), and was regarded by Joab as a rival. Natliaii tlie prophet—Was held in high estimation by David, and stood on the most intimate relations with the royal family (2 Samuel 12. 2.5). Shlmel—Probably the person of this name who was afterwards enrolled among Solomon's great officers (ch. 4. 18). Rel—Supposed to be the same as Ira (2 Samuel 20. 26). and tl»e mtglity men—The
" 9. En-rogel—Situated (Joshua
.select band of worthies.
16. 13 ; 2 Samuel 2. 4). 35. then ye shall come aftehim, that he may come aitd sit upon my tltrone—The public recognition of the successor to the throne, during the old king's lifetime, is accordant with the customs of the East.
15.7-10) cast of Jerusalem, in a level place, just below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. It is a very deep well, measuring 125 feet in depth ; the water is sweet, but not very cold, and it is at times quite full to overflowing. The Orientals are fond of enjoying festive repasts in the open air at places which command the advantage of shade, water, and verdure; and those fet«s champetres are not cold collations, but niagiiiflcent entertainments, the animals being killed and dressed on the spot. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was one of this Oriental description, and it was on a large scale (2 .Samuel 3.4,5; 5.14-16; 1 Chronicles 14.1-7). At the accession of a new king there were .sacrifices offered (1 Samuel 11. 15). But on such an occasion it was no.39. an horn of oil out of the tabernacle—It was the sacred oil (Exodus 30. 22) with which the kings were anointed. 40. all the people came up after him i. e., from the valley to the citadel of Zion. 41. Adonijah, and all the guests that were witli him, heaitl it as they made an end of eating—The loud shouts raised by the populace at the joyous proclamation at Gihon, and echoed by assembled thousands, from Zion to En-rogel, were easily heard at that distance by Adonijah and his confederates. The arrival of a trusty messenger, who gave a full detail of the coronation ceremony, spread dismay In their camp. The wicked and ambitious plot they had assembled to execute was dissipated, and evei-y one of the conspirators consulted his safety by flight.
1 iss customary to entertain the grandees of the kingdom and even tlie populace in a public manner (1 Chronicles
12. 2;i-t0). Tliere is the strongest probal)ility that Adonij.xh's feast was purely political, to court popularity and secure a party to support his claim to the crown. 11-Z7. Xatlian Hpnke nnto Bntli-sheba . T . let me give tlieo counsel, Ac.—Tlie revolt was defeated l)y this propliet, who, knowing tlie Lord's will (2 Samuel 7. 12; 1 Chroni(!les
Adonijah, Fleeing to the Horns of the Altar, IS Dismissed by Solomon. 50. Adonijah went and cafight hold on the horns of the altar—Most probably the altar of burnt ott'ering which had been erected on Mount Zion, where Abiathar, one of his partisans, presided as high priest. The horns or projections at the four corners of the altar, to which the sacrifices were bound, and which were tipped with the blood of the victim, were symbols of grace and salvation to the sinner. Hence the altar was regarded as a sanctuary (Exodus 21. 14), but not to murderers, rebels, ordeliberate perpetrators. Adonijah, having acted In opposition to the will of the reigning prince, was guilty of rebellion, and stood self-condemned. .Solomon spared his life on the express condition of his good behaviour-living In strict privacy, leading a quiet, peaceable life, and meddling with the allairs of neither thecourt nor the kingdom. 53. tl»ey brought him down —from the ledge around the altar on whicdi he was stand'
22. 9), felt himself bound, in accordance with Ills diaracter and office, to take the lead in seeing it executed. Hitliorto the succession of the Hebrew monardiy had not been settled. The Lord had reserved to himself tlie right of nomination (Deuteronomy 17. 15), which was acted upon In the appointments both of Saul and David; and in the case of tlie latter the rule was so far modifled tliat his posterity wore guaranteed the perpetual possession of the sovereignty (2 Samuel 7. 12). This Divine purpose was known tliroughout the kingdom ; Init no intimation had been made as to whether tlic riglit of Inlu'rltance was to belong to the eldest son. Adonijah, in common with tlie people generally, expectt'd that this natural ai rangement should bo followed in the Hebrew kingdom as In all otliers. Nathan, who was aware of the old king's solemn promise to Solomon, and, moreover, (hat this iiig. he bowed himself—i. e., did homage to Solomon as king.
CHAPTER II.
liroinise wiis Hanctloncd by the Divine will, saw that no time was to be lost. I<'<^arlng the ellects of too sudden excitement In the king's feeble state, he arranged that Bath-sheba should go first to Inform him of what was being transacted without the walls, and that himself sliould follow to confirm her stat<^ment. The narrative hero not only exliiblts tlio vivid picture of a scene wlthiu
Ver. 1-11. David Dies. 1. David chargefl his son— The charge recorded here was given on his death to .Sol* mon, and Is dllferent from the farewell address delivered
In jiubllc some time before (1 Clironlcles 28. 29). It Is Introduced with great solemnity, it. I go the way of all