1 Kings 2

David lying on his death-bed, exhorteth Salomon to a godly life, and to courageous governing, verse 1, &c. He enjoyneth him to punish Joab, for his murders, 5. Recompense Barzillai his kindness, 7. And to punish Simei, 8. David dieth, 10. Salomon reigneth, 12. Adonia sueth to have Abisag to wife, 13. Is denied, and put to death, 22. Abiathar deposed, 26. Joab put to death, 29. and Simei, 36.

1. Now when Davids days were near that he should die, then he charged his son Salomon, saying;

2. Depart in the way of all the earth: [This phrase is also found, Jos.23.14. and signifieth the departure of man out of this world, by bodily death, which none can escape, Heb.9.27.] so be strong, and be a man. [Heb. for, or, to a man: although thou art yet but young, 1 Chron.22. 5. nevertheless labour to get the vertues of a man, consisting chiefly in wisdom and understanding, a courageous mind, and stedfastness.]

3. And take heed to the guard of the LORD thy God, [This phrase is elsewhere used of the service of the Tabernacle, as Leviticus 8:35. Numb.3.7. but here and in some other places of the civil Duties, which Princes and other Governors were to mind and observe, according to the order prescribed them by God. See Jos.22.3. 2 King.11.5. But the word guard is also translated command, or, charge, signifying in general all that the Lord hath prescribed us, either to do, or to omit. See Genes.26.on ver.5.] to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandements, and his judgments. [These three first words are thus distinguished, that the first is taken for the ceremonial, the second for the moral, the third for the judicial or civil laws. See Genes.26.on ver.5. Deut.5.on ver.31.] and his testimonies, [understand the doctrine of salvation, which fully testifieth of Gods will toward us, and of our duty toward him. See Deut.4.on ver.45.] as is written in the law of Moseh: [See Deut.17 18.] that thou mayest deal understandingly in all that thou shalt do, and whithersoever thou shalt turn thyself. [or, make all prosper, &c. See this phrase, Deut.29.9. Jos.1.7.]

4. That the LORD may confirm his word, which he spake concerning me, saying: If thy sons keep their way, [i.e. Order themselves in affections, purpose, words and works, according to my will: so below chap.8.25. 2 King.20.3. 2 Chron.6 16. This Moses calleth keeping of the soul, Deut.4.15.] to walk faithfully before my face, [i.e. to live uprightly, as in the presence of God, (who knoweth the heart) according to all the commandements: see 2 King.20.3. & 2 Chron.6.18.] with all their heart, and with all their soul: [i.e. to obey God uprightly, and without dissembling, not according to some, but according to all his Commandements, which obedience he looketh on, not in its own nature, (according to which it is here yet defective and wanting) but according to his grace in Christ, in whom it is perfect, Colos.2.10.] then shall not a man, said he, be cut off unto thee from the throne of Israel. [The meaning is, that none of his Posterity should fail to govern; to wit, until the Messiah shall come, whose Kingdom shall be everlasting.]

5. So thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruja did to me, [viz. Being ever most proud and spiteful against me, because he was very gracious with the souldiers: see 2 Sam.3.39. & chap.19. of the same book] (and) what he did to the two Commanders of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, [see 2 Sam.3.27. & 2 Sam.20.10.] and shed the blood of war in peace: [Heb. set bloods of war, etc. that is, committed murders. Now that is called the blood of war, which is shed in war; but Joab had shed in war; but Joab had shed blood in time of peace] and he put the blood of war upon his girdle, [viz. putting up his bloody sword into the scabbard, after that he had murdered those two men] that was on his Loines, and upon his shoes, [on which some of the blood of the parties that were stabbed sell] that wereon his feet.

6. Do thou according to thy wisdom, [viz. According to which thou shalt surely find occasion to punish him, he being a man inclined to changed and commotions,] that thou let not his gray hair, [Heb. his hoariness, or, grayness, i.e. his gray rage] go down into grave in peace. [The meaning is, that Salomon should not let Joab die his natural death, but cause him to suffer a violent death, or inflicted a violent death upon him. See the Exposition below vers.8. & compare Gen.42.38. & 44.29. and 31.]

7. But thou shalt shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, [See 2 Sam.17.27. & 19.31.] and they shall be among those that eat at thy table: [Hebr. Among thy table-eaters: i.e. that eat of the meat of thy table] for they drew near to me, [viz. Bringing to me, and setting before me all manner of provision, which I indeed lacked in a day and desert place: see 2 Sam.17.27.28, 29.] when I fled before the face of thy brother Absalom.

8. And behold, Simei, the son of Gera, the son of Jemini [Oth. a Benjamite: see Judg.19.on ver.16 & 2 Sam.16.on ver.11.] of Bahurim, is with thee, who cursed me with a grievious curse, [see 2 Sam.16.5. & 19.19.] in the day when I went to Mahanaim: [a city lying beyond Jordan in the Land of Gilead, in the tribe of Gad, by the brook Jabbok. Why it was so called, see Gen.32.on verse 2.] but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I sware unto him by the LORD, [see 2 Sam.19.23.] saying; If I slay him with the sword! [Heb. If I slay thee with the sword, (let God punish me) or, (do this, or that unto me:) for the Hebrews in swearing are wont to conceal the punishment: see Genes.14.on verse 23.]

9. But now, hold him not guiltless [i.e. Let him not go unpunished: so Exod.20.7. & 34 7. & Job 9:28.] for thou art a wise man; and thou shalt know what thou shalt do unto him, [viz. according to the wisdom which the Lord hath given thee, leaving to him the manner how thou shalt put him to death: compare above ver.6.]

10. And David fell a sleep [See above chap.1.on verse 21. & Deut.31.on verse 16.] with his fathers, and was buried [See Act.2.29. & 13.36.] in the city of David. [meaning the hold, where Davids house was: so below chap.3.1. see 2 Sam.5.7. 1 Chron.11.5. 2 Chron.5.2.]

11. Now the days [i.e. The time] that David reigned over Israel, are fourty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, [the name of a city; of which see Genes.23.on verse 2.] and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. [see 1 Chron.29.23.]

12. And Salomon sat upon the throne of David his father, and his Kingdom was established greatly. [See 1 Chr.29.23. 2 Chron.1.1.]

13. Then come Adonia, the son of Haggith, unto Bathseba, the mother of Salomon, and she said: Is thy coming peace? [Heb. Is thy coming ( a verb of the infinitive mood) peace? She speaketh out of fear, that he would raise some trouble or commotion, because he had aspired after the Kingdom. ‘Tis as much as if she had said; tendeth thy coming to the welfare of the Kingdom, and of the Common-wealth? What Peace signifoeth with the Hebrews, see Genes.37.on verse 14.] and he said Peace.

14. After that he said, I have a word to thee; and she said, speak.

15. Then he said, Thou knowest that the Kingdom was mine, [viz. Because I am the eldest of my fathers son; see above chap.1.on ver.5.] and all Israel had set his face on me, that I should be King: [i.e. all the men of Israel had kept their eyes on me, expecting that the Kingdom should be mine, and wishing the same with all their heart. Compare Jer.42.15. with the annotate.] howheit, the Kingdom is turned about, and is become my brothers, for it became his from the Lord. [He feigneth, as if he desired with all his heart that the Kingdom might be his brother Salomons, to this end taking Gods name in vain, and very cunningly hiding his sinister intent and design, which was by means of the Sun amine to make a party, and so to draw the Kingdom to himself: which King Salomon straightway perceived; as appeareth by v.22.]

16. And now Lask one Petition of thee, refuse not my face, [i.e. Reject not my Petition: so v.17. & 20.2 Chron.6.42. Psal.132.v.10. contrary to this phrase, to accept a mans face: see Gen.19.on v.21.] and she said to him.

17. And he said, speak, I pray, unto Salomon the King, for he will not refuse thy face, that he give me Abisag the Sunamite to wife.

18. And Bethseba said, It is good, I will speak for thee unto the King.

19. So Bathseba came unto King Salomon, to speak unto him for Adonia; and the King rose up, to meet her, and bowed himself before her, after that he sat upon his throne,and caused a seat to be set for the Kings mother, [i.e. For his mother; it is an Hebrew phrase: so below chap.8.1. & 9.1. & 11.9. Compare Gen.5.5.] and she sat on his right hand. [Being thus honoured with equal dignity and worship, as herson, and that according to the custom and practise of the great ones, who are wont to place them on their right hand, to whom they will give equal honour with themselves, or the next honour to themselves: compare Mat.20.21.]

20. Then she said, I desire one small Petition of thee, [viz. Small in her opinion, but not in the Kings judgment; as appeareth by his answer] refuse not my face, and the King said unto her, Ask on, my mother, for I will not refuse thy face.

21. And she said, let Abisag, the Sunamite, be given to Adonia, thy brother, to wife.

22. Then King Salomon answered, and said unto his mother,; And why doest thou ask Abisag the Sunamate for Adonia? Ask for him the Kingdom also, [Salomon perceived whither Adonia’s Petition tended, viz. to a new tumult and commotion, by means of the desired match the better and easier to attain to the Crown. Hence those that aspired to be great, have frequently used this course: see 2 Sam.3.7. & 16.21.] (for he is my brother, who is elder [Heb. greater, or, bigger, viz.of age] then I am) yea for him, and for Abiathar the Priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruja [Who were addicted to Adonia, doubtless they might continue in their offices and places, and be free from danger.]

23. And King Salomon sware by the LORD, saying, Let God do so to me, and let him so add thereunto, assuredly Adonia shall have spoken that word against his (own) life. [Heb. against his (own) soul: that is, to the endangering of his life. The word soul is oftentimes taken for life. See Gen.19on v.17.]

24. And now (as true as) the LORD liveth, who hath established me, and hath caused me to sit on the throne [i.e. Caused me to reign as King. So 2 King.10.3. and 2 Chron.23.20. Compare above chap.1. the annotat. on verse 13.] of David my father, and who hath made me an house [i.e. a Family, and Court according to the seat and dignity of a King: for the word House signifieth often the whole train or retinue of Courtiers. See Gen.34.on ver.19.] according as he had promised: Assuredly Adonia shall be put to death this day. [as being guilty of High-Treason against the King.]

25. And King Salomon sent by the hand of Benaja, the son of Jojada, [i.e. Sent Benaja, commanding him with his own hand to slay Adonia. See Gen.12.on verse 15.] the same sell upon him, that he died. [viz. he fell upon him with a weapon, sit to kill. So also ver.31, 32, 34 46. the 32. Versespeaketh of two fallings on that were done with the sword.]

26. And the King said unto Abjathar the Priest: Go 10 Anothoth, [The name of a city belonging to the Priest, lying in the tribe Benjamin, where Abiathar the Priest, and Jeremiah the Prophet were born. See of this city, Jos.21.18: Jer.1.1.] unto thine (own) fields, for thou art a man of death; [i.e. guilty of death, or, that is worthy of death. So 2 Sam.12.5. Item, sons of death, [Which may be thus understood, that Salomon was for the present satisfied with inflicted a lesser punishment upon him then death, keeping him in the mean while still under the guilt of death, so that if in time to come he should commit the like offence again, he should be sure to die for it] because thou barest the Ark of the Lord the LORD, before the face of David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted an all wherein my father was afflicted [See 1 Sam.22.20, etc.]

27. Then Salomon thrust out Abjathar, that he should not be the LORDS Priest: [Heb. From being Priest unto the Lord, or, of the Lord: Not that Salomon properly deposed, or removed him from his Priestly Office; for he was already deposed in Davids life-time, for his offence committed against the Kings Majesty, when Zadok was anointed Priest in his room, 1 Chron.29.22. but he thrust him out, that is, banished him to his own house at Anothoth; from whence it must needs follow, that he could not administer the office of Priest at Jerusalem, being as it were dead in law] to fulfil the word of the LORD, which he had spoken [which indeed was thus performed by Salomon, but the secret over-ruling providence of God, which it may be Salomon thought not of at that time. See the fore-telling of this fulfilling, 1 Sam.2.33. and compare Matth.13.35. and 27.5. John.12.38. and 19 25. Which places shew that the Prophecies of God are very often fulfilled by men without their knowledge] concerning the house of Eli [viz. that the house of Eli, which descended from Itharmar, should be removed from the Priesthood, and that another house should come into its room: which was fulfilled in Zadok, who descended from the family of Eleazar. See 1 Sam.2.35. and compare Ezek.44.15.] at Silo. [a city in the tribe of Ephraim, where the Ark of the Lord was a long time, Jos.18.1. Judg.21.19. Psalms 78:60.]

28. When tidings came to Joab, (for Joab had turned after Adonia, though he had not turned after Absalom) then Joab fled to the tent of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the Altar. [see above chap.1. on verse 50.]

29. And it was told King Salomon, that Joab was fled to the tent of the LORD; [Which together with the Altar, being made in the Wilderness by Gods appointment. Exod.36.1,2,3, & 38.1, &c. were at this time in Gibeon, 2 Chron.1.3, 5.] and behold he is by the altar: Then Salomon sent Benaja, the son of Jojada, saying, Go thy ways, fall upon him.

30. And Benaja came to the Tent of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the King, Come forth; and he said, Nay, but I will die here: and Benaja brought the King answer again, saying; Thus spake Joab, and thus he answered me.

31. And the King said unto him; Do according as he [viz. Joab] hath spoken, [Understanding this according to the Law, Exod.21.14.] and fall upon him, and bury him, that thou mayest take away from me, and from my fathers house, the blood which Joab hath shed without a cause.

32. So the LORD shall cause his blood to return upon his own head, [viz. which he hath shed unjustly. God returneth the blood of another man upon a mans own head, when he recompenseth the death of another wilfully procured by him, with his own death; and that either immediately by himself, Gen.4.11. or mediately by the means of man, Gen.9 6. So below ver.44. Judg.9.24, 27. 2 Sam.15.8.] because he fell upon two men more righteous and better then he, and slew them with the sword, whereas my Father David knew it not, [i.e. My Father not being privie thereunto before it was done, nor consenting thereunto after it was done: see 2 Sam. 3.28, 29. and above v.5.] Abner the Son of Ner, the Commander in chief of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, the Commander in chief of Juda.

33. So shall their blood [Heb. Bloods. The word blood is put in the plural number, not only because Joab had murdered two men, but because this word being often so put, signifieth the guilt and punishment of death, which the murderers bring upon themselves, Exod.22.2, 3. Psa.51.16. Although sometimes also in the singular number, Gen.42.22.] return upon head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: [i.e. a long time, so long as Joabs posterity shall continue. See 2 Sam.3.39. and compare above chap.1.31. with the annotate.] but David, and his seed, and his house, and his throne shall have from the Lord for ever. [Understand in respect of the outward welfare a long time, as immediately before; and in respect of the spiritual prosperity in Christ, time without end.]

34. And Benaja the son of Jojada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him, and he was buried in his house in the wilderness.

35. And the King put Benaja the son of Jojada in his room over the host: and the King put Zadok the Priest [Who before while David yet lived, was anointed with the general consent of all congregation. See 1 Chron.29.22. which Solomon here approved and ratifieth in deed] in the room of Abjathar.

36. After that the King sent and called Simei, and said unto him: build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there; and go not forth thence, hither, or thither.

37. For it shall come to pass in the day of thy going out, when thou shalt go over the brook Kidron, [It was a brook running between Jerusalem and the mount of Olives thorow a dark valley Eastward from the city. See of this brook, 2 Sam.15.23. 2 Kings 23:4. Jos.18.1.] know assuredly [Heb. knowing know. So below v.42.] that thou shalt die the death: [Heb. dying shalt die. So below v.42.] thy blood shall be upon thine head. [see Lev.20.on v.9.]

38. And Simei said unto the King; that word is good, according as my Lord the King hath spoken, so will thy servant do: and Simei dwelt at Jerusalem many days.

39. But it came to pass at the end of three years, that two servants of Simei run away to Achis, [See of this man, 1 Sam.21.10.] the son of Maacha, [otherwise called Maacha, 1 Sam.27.2.] the King of Gath, [the name of a city in the tribe of Dan, inhabited by Giants that descended from the Philistines, Josh.11.22. So likewise the Giant Goliath was of this city, 1 Sam.17.4.] and they told Simei, saying; Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

40. Then Simei gat him up, and sadled his ass, and went his ways to Gath to Achis, to seek his servants: So Simei went his ways, and brought his servants from Gath.

41. And it was told Solomon, that Simei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.

42. Then the King sent and called Simei, and said unto him. Did I not make the to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying; in the day of thy going out, when thou shalt go hither, or thither, know assuredly that thou shalt die the death? and thou saidest unto me, that word is good, (which) I have heard.

43. Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD; [Understand the oath made by the name of the name the Lord, which Solomon had added to his threatening uttered against Simei. See the foregoing 42. verse] and the commandment which I had charge upon thee.

44. Moreover the King said unto Simei, thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: [See 2 Sam.16. 5,6,7.] therefore the Lord hath caused thy wickedness to return upon thine own head. [see above on v.32.]

45. But King Solomon is blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the face of the LORD for ever.

46. And the King commanded Benaja the son of Jojada, who went out, and fell upon him, that he died: so the Kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon. [See 2 Chron.1.1.]