1 Kings 1

David being old, is ministered unto by Abisag, vers. 1, & c. His Son Adonia usurpeth the Kingdom, 5. Which is hindered by Bathseba, by the advice of Nathan the Prophet, 11. David reneweth his promise, of leaving the Kingdom to his son Solomon, 28. Who is anointed King, 32. Tidings thereof is brought to Adonia, and his party, who leave him, 41. Adonia is afraid of Salomon, who pardoneth his fault, and so sendeth him home to his own house, 50.

1. Now King David was old, [viz. About 70 years, for in his thirtieth year he began to reign, and he reigned 40 years; 7. In Hebron, and 33. In Jerusalem] stricken in years; [Heb. Come into days; i.e. was of a good age: see Gen. 18. On ver. 11.] and they covered him with clothes, but he got no warmth. [Heb. To him was no warm.]

2. Then said his servants [i.e. Counsellors, Officers, chiefest Courtiers, see Gen. 20. On v. 8.] unto him; let my Lord the King seek (out) a Damsel, a Virgin, that may stand before the face of the King, [i.e. Minister unto him: see this phrase, Deut. 1. On v. 38. & 10. 8. & 1 Samuel 16:22. 1 King 12. 6. And compare below verse 4. And 15.] and cherish him; and let her lie in the bosom, [see this phrase also, 2 Sam. 12. 3. & Mich. 7. 5. And compare Deuteronomy 13:6. Together with the annotate. It’s thought that this was done after that he had married her] that my Lord the King may grow warm.

3. So they sought (for) a fair damsel in all the borders of Israel; and found Abisag, a Sunamite; [so called, because she was of the city of Sunem, lying in the tribe of Issaschar, on the south side of mount Gilboa: see Judges 19:18. & 2 king 4. 8.] and brought her unto the King.

4. And the damsel was exceeding fair, and fostered the King, and ministered to him; but the King knew her not. [See Gen. 4. On v. 1.]

5. Now Adonia [Who was now the eldest of Davids sons: for Amnon and Absalom were dead; as also Chileab, as is conceived: See of these 2 Sam. 3. 2, 3, 4, 5.] the son of Haggith [See also of this woman 2 sam. 3. 4.] exalted himself, saying; I shall be King: and he prepared him charets, and horsemen, and fifty men running before him, [to have a Kingly Retinue, and train, Absalom also had done, 2 Sam. 15. 1. Compare below chapter 14. The annotate. On the 27 verse.]

6. And his father had not grieved him, [viz. To rebuke him for it] from his days, [i.e. all his life long, or at any time] saying; Why hast thou done so? and he was also very fair of feature, [see Gen. 6. On v. 2] and (Haggith) had born him after Absalom. [who was born of another woman named Maacha, 2 Sam. 3.3.]

7. And his consultation [Heb. Words, which is likewise so taken, Numb. 31.16. Ezekiel 38:10.] were with Joab [i.e. he conferred, or advised with these men, the better to attain to his design] the son of Zeruja, and with Abjathar the Priest: they helped, following Adonia, [Heb. And helped after Adonia: i.e. helped and followed Adonia: so 2 Sam. 2. 10. & below chapter 16. 1, & c.]

8. But Zadok the Priest, and Benaja the son of Jojada, and Nathan the Prophet, and Sinei, and Rei, and the champions which David had, were not with Adonia. [Heb. Adoniahu: so below, ver. 29, & c.]

9. And Adonia slew [viz. to keep a stately feast at his installing. The word slaying is likewise so taken, Genesis 31:54. 1 Samuel 28:24] Sheep and oxen, and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by the fountain of Rogel; [or, En-Rogel: see of this fountain, Joshua 15:7. & 18. 26. & 2 Sam. 17. 17.] and invited all his brethren the Kings sons, and all the men of Juda the Kings servants.

10. But Nathan the Prophet, and Benaja, and the Champions, and Salomon his brother he invited not.

11. Then spake Nathan unto Bathseba, the mother of Salomon, saying; Hast thou not heard that Adonia the son of Haggith is King? And David our Lord knoweth that not.

12. Now then, come; let me, I pray, give thee counsel [Heb. Let me counsel thee counsel] that thou mayest deliver thine (own) soul, and the soul of thy Salomon. [i.e. Save thy own life, thy Son Salomon’s life, which is in danger of Adonia the King. Compare below ver. 21. And of the word soul taken in this sense, see Gen. 19. On v. 17.]

13. Go thy ways, and enter in unto King David, and say unto him; Didst thou not, my Lord, (O) King, swear unto thine hand-maid, [So she calleth herself out of humility of heart, and reverence toward the King: Otherwise she was his wife, 2 Sam. 11. 27.] saying; Surely Salomon thy son shall be King after me, and he shall sit upon my throne! [i.e. Be King, reign as a King. See Exodus 11:5. Deuteronomy 17:18. And below ch. 16. 11. 1 Chr. 29. 23.] why then is Adonia King?

14. Behold, when thou shalt yet speak there with the King; then will I come in after thee, and will fulfil thy words. [viz. by adding somewhat thereunto, if thou shalt be too short in thy relation: and by confirming thy sayings with my testimony, and exhorting the King to execute the Will of God, who hath determined that Salomon shall inherit the Crown. See below on verse 17.]

15. And Bathseba went in unto the King into the inner-chamber; but the King was very old: and Abisag the Sunamite ministered to the King.

16. And Bathseba bowed the head, [See Gen. 24. On v. 26.] and bowed herself down before the King: [understand it of a civil reverence; and see Gen. 18. On ver. 2. Also, below vers. 23.] and the King said, what ailest thou?]

17. And she said unto him: My Lord, thou hast sworn by the LORD thy God [Salomon to be thine heir in the Kingdom, adding withal thereunto glorious promises, see 1 Samuel 7:13. 2 Chron. 2. 8. & 29. 1.] unto thine hand maid, Surely Salomon thy son shall be King after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

18. And now behold! Adonia is King: and now, my Lord, (O) King, thou knowest it not.

19. And he hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in multitude, and invited all the King’s sons, and Abjathar the Priest, and Joab the Commander in chief, but Salomon thy servant hath he not invited.

20. But thou, my Lord, (O) King, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest make known to them, who shall sit upon the throne of my Lord the King after him. [i.e. All Israel wait and depend upon thee, that thou shouldest make known to them, who shall sit upon the throne of my Lord the King after him. [i.e. All Israel wait and depend upon thee, that thou wouldst publicly before thy death declare thy Successor in the Kingdom. See the like phrase, 2 Chron. 20. 12. Psal. 145. 15.]

21. Otherwise it shall come to pass, [Heb. And it shall, or, should, &c.] when my Lord the King shall be fallen a sleep [Heb. properly lie down; i.e. be dead according to the body, and according to the soul taken up into the rest of heaven, to expect there the blessed resurrection of the dead. Death is compared unto a sleep, because it happeneth with the remaining of the souls life, and endeth with the resurrection of the dead body: see hereof also Deut.31.on v.16.] with his Fathers, that I and my son Salomon shall be (as) sinner: [or, be counted as sinners: i.e. as guilty persons, and worthy of death, as malefactors, or such as had unjustly aspired after the Crown. See Gen.43.on v.9. Thus innocent, or guiltless persons are called, that have deserved no punishment at all, Gen.44.10. Jos.2.19.

22. And behold she spake yet with the King, when Nathan the Prophet came in.

23. And they acquainted the King, saying; Behold, Nathan the Prophet is there; and he came before the face of the King, [viz. After that Bathseba was gone out of the chamber, as may be gathered from v.28.] and bowed himself before the King on his face to the ground.

24. And Nathan said; My Lord, (O) King, hast thousand said, Adonia shall be King after me; and he shall sit upon my throne?

25. For he is gone down [viz. to the stone of Zoheleth, by the fountain of Rogel. See above ver.9.] this day and hath slain Oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance, and hath invited the Kings sons, and the Commanders of the host, and Abjathar the Priest, and behold, they eat and drink before his face, and say; Let King Adonia live. [i.e. We wish, that King may have a long and prosperous life in his reign. So below v.34, and 39.2 Sam. 16.16.]

26. But me that am thy servant, and Zadok the Priest, and Benaja the son of Jojada, and thy servant Salomon hath he not invited.

27. Is this thing done by my Lord the King? and hast not acquainted thy servant therewith, who should sit upon the throne of my Lord the King after him?

28. And King David answered, and said, [viz. To the Grooms, or Minister, that waited upon him in the chamber] Call me Bath-Seba; and she came before the face of the King, [viz. After that Nathan the prophet was gone out of the chamber, as may be gathered from ver.32.] and stood before the face of the King.

29. Then the King sware, [David reneweth the Oath which he had made unto Bath-Seba, not out lightness to, or rashness, but, 1. by this resolute and zealous stedfastness to opposite the practise and bold attempt of Adonia. 2.To comfort Bath-Seba.3. To leave to all men after his death a sure testimony, that he had kept close, as in this, so also in all other things, to the word, and will of the Lord, even to the end of his life] and said: (As true as) the Lord liveth, who delivered my soul out of all distress.

30. Assuredly, as I sware by the LORD the God of Israel saying: Assuredly, Salomon thy son shall be King after me, and shall sit upon my throne in my stead: assuredly so will I do this day.

31. Then Bathseba bowed her self with the face to the ground, and bowed her self down before the face of the King; and said, Let my Lord King David live for ever. [i.e. A very long time: intimating, that she wished not for the Kings death, when she petitioned, that the right of succession might be settled in her son; but prayed unto God, notwithstanding her petition, for the Kings long life. So is the word Olam taken for a long and unlimited time, below chap.2.33. Dan.2.4. This is a manner of salutation or greeting, wherewith Kings and Princes were spoken to. Of which see also Dan.2.4. and 3.9. and 5.10. & 6.6.]

32. And King David said, Call me Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaja the son Jojada: [Heb. Jehojada] and they came before the face of the King.

33. And the king said unto them; Take with you the servants of your Lord, [i.e. My servants, who have hither to faithfully served me. Otherwise, of your Lords, in the plural number: that is, mine and Salomons servants; understand by these the Kings Foot-men, Lifeguard, and who in the war fought round about his person] and cause Salomon my son to ride upon the mule which is for me; [This was a token of Kingly dignity and honour, unto which the King would advance a man. Gihon. [The name of a Fountain flowing on the West side of Mount Zion, 2 Chron.32.30. and is to be distinguished from a River of Paradise: so likewise called, Gen.2.13.]

34. And let Zadok the Priest, with Nathan the Prophet, anointed him there King [This were the Kings, whose choice had somewhat extraordinary in it, installed in to their office, 1 Sam.10.1. & 16.12, 13. 1 King.19.15, 16. 2 King.9.3. This ceremony of anointing, signified, that they are called by God to their office, and should receive from him gifts needful thereunto] over Israel: and after that ye shall blow with the trumpet, and say, Let king Salomon live.

35. Then ye shall come after him, and he shall come and shall sit on my throne, and he shall be King in my stead: for I have commanded him that he should be a leader, [Or, Conductor, Prince, &c. so below chap.14 7. and 16 2.] over Israel, and cover Juda.

36. Then answered Benaja, the son of Jojada, unto the King, and said, Amen; The LORD God of my Lord the King say so, [i.e. Well. Let him, and do so to: for his saying is his doing: see Gen.1.on v.3.]

37. According as the LORD hath been with my Lord the King, so he be with Salomon; and make his throne great then the throne of my Lord King David.

38. Then Zadok the Priest went down with Nathan the Prophet, and Benaja the son of Jojada, and the Crethi, and the Plethi, [Meaning men, and Guard-men of War, which ordinarily, in time of peace, or war, attended upon the kings person, who above ver.33. are called his servants. See likewise of these, 2 Sam.8.18. & 15.18.] and caused Salomon to ride upon King Davids mule, and conducted him to Gihon.

39. And Zadok the Priest took the horn of oil out of the tent, [viz, In which David had set the Ark of the LORD, 2 Sam.6.17.] and anointed Salomon: [Understand this of the first anointing of Salomon, which was onely done before the men of Jerusalem; not of the second, which was done afterward in a more solemn manner before all Israel. See 1 Chron.29.22.] and they blew with the trumpet, and all the people said, Let King Salomon live. [see 1 Sam.10.25.]

40. And all the people came up after him, and people pipes, and rejoiced with great joy: so that the earth rent with the sound of them. [This is an Hyperbolical expression. Compare Genesis 13.on verse 16.]

41. And Adonia heard it, and all the guests that were with him, who now had made an end of eating: Joab also heard the sound [Heb. voice: and so in the sequel] of the city, that is in an uproar?

42. As he yet spake, behold, then came Jonathan the son of Abjathar the Priest, and Adonia said; Come in, for thou art a valiant man, [Heb. a man of courage, or, valour] and wilt bring tidings of good. [Or, that which is acceptable and well pleasing: so below chap.12.7. & 22.8. 2 King.25.8. 2 Chron.20 7. Jer.12.6. & 52.32.]

43. And Jonathan answered, and said unto Adonia: Yea but my Lord King David hath made Salomon King.

44. And the King hath sent with him Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaja the son of Jojada, and the Crethi and the Plethi, and (they) have caused him to ride upon the Kings Mule.

45. Besides, Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, have anointed him King in Gibon, and are come up [viz. Into the City of David, which was the hold of Zion. 1 Chron.11 5. 2 Chron.5.2.] from thence rejoicing, so that the City is in an uproar: this is the noise that ye have heard.

46. And also Salomon sitteth [Or, Hath sat: which served as a publick Evidence, that he was made King: see above on v. 13.] upon the throne of the Kingdom.

47. So likewise the Kings servants come, to bless our Lord King David, [i.e. To bid him joy with the instalment of his son Salomon into the Kingly Office] saying, Thy God make the name of Salomon better (i.e. more excellent, more glorious, more renowned] then thy name, and make his throne greater then thy throne, and the King worshipped [understand this of a religious worship, which he performed to give God thanks, that he had fulfilled his promised toward Salomon, and to beseech him to bless him in his Government: compare Gen.47.31. & see Gen.34.on v 26.] upon the bed-stead.

48. Yea also the King said thus: Praised [Or, blessed: see Gen.14.on v.20.] be the LORD the God of Israel, who hath given this day, one sitting on my throne, that mine eyes have seen it. [or, do see it]

49. Then all the guests, that were with Adonia, were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.

50. But Adonia feared before Salomon, and he arose, and went his way, and caught hold on the horns of the Altar. [Which was at Gibeon, where the Tent of the Congregation was at that time: see 1 Chron.1.3, 5. The taking hold of the horns of the Altar was an ancient custome, whereby those that were guilty of any crime or facts, and feared immediately to be punished, betook themselves to both places for refuge, to find mercy and favour, and to escape the punishment of death: which sometimes succeded well, as here in Adonia; sometime ill, as in Joab: below chap.2.28. for that against some sins there was a Law to the contrary, Exod.21 14.]

51. And they told Salomon, saying; Behold, Adonia feareth King Salomon: for behold, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying; Let King Salomon swear unto me as this day, that he will not slay his servant [Thus Adonia calleth himself, to declare, that he now acknowledge his brother for his Soveraign, and was ready to serve and obey him. Compare below chap.18.12, 13. & 20.32. 2 King.5.15, 17.] with the sword. [Heb. If he shall slay his servant with the sword!]

52. And Salomon said; If he will be a worthy man, [Heb. a son of worthiness, or, honesty. The Hebrew word signifieth not onely strength, and worth, or valour of body, but also virtue and valour of mind or spirit, as here; and Ruth 3:11. Prov.31.10.] there shall none of his hair fall on the ground: [i.e. the least harm shall not be done to him: see this proverbial phrase, 1 Sam.14.45. and 2 Sam.14.11.] but if evil shall be found in him, then he shall die.

53. And King Salomon sent forth, and they made him depart from the Altar; and he came, and bowed himself down before King Salomon: And Salomon said unto him, Go thy ways to thine house. [i.e. Live a private life, busy thy self with thine own affairs, and rest satisfied therewith, without intermeddling with, or causing any disturbance in the Government.]