1 Kings 1

As in the case of 1 and 2 Samuel, the two Books of Kings were one book in the Hebrew Bible. The Septuagint translators, however, divided them into two, calling them the 3rd and 4th Books of Kings. This arrangement was followed by the Vulgate and various Continental versions.

The most important of the monarchs whose lives are recorded in 1 Kings after the death of David (i., ii.) is Solomon (ii.-xi.), who raised the influence of Israel to its highest point and extended its territory so that it reached from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates and from the Red Sea to the utmost Lebanon (iv. 21), and whose learning and wisdom became proverbial. But with national glory, national decay and downfall are closely connected. After Solomon’s death the kingdom became divided into two, under Rehoboam and Jeroboam (xii.). The former was followed by Abijam (xiv. 31-xv. 8), Asa (xv. 9-24), Jehoshaphat (xv. 24-xxii. 41-51), and Jehoram (xxii. 51) in the kingdom of Judah. Jeroboam was followed in the kingdom of Israel by Nadab (xiv. 20; xv. 25-31), Baasha (xv. 27-xvi. 7), Elah (xvi. 8-14), Zimri, Omri (xvi. 10-28), Ahab (xvi. 29-xxii. 40), Ahaziah (xxii. 40, 52-54). Through all the narratives of these reigns there is something more than the story of battles and conquests of which human history is made up. There is the constant reminder of Another King, to whom all earthly sovereigns and nations must give account. Reign after reign is summed up in the concise and potent sentence, “he did that which was right” or “he did evil in the sight of the Lord.”

But the hero of the Book is Elijah. His simple faith, the faith which he inspired in others (xvii. 5, 6, 14, 15), and his unflinching courage (xviii. 18, 22; xxi. 18-20) are an example for all time. And God’s vindication of His servant is an encouragement to all who put their trust in Him.

1. King David was old.** As David became king in his thirtieth year, and reigned forty years (2 Sam. v. 4, 5), he must now have been about seventy.

3 and found Abishag. This incident is introductory to the subsequent narrative with reference to Adonijah, who forfeited his life by asking for Abishag to wife.

5. Adonijah the son of Haggith.** Adonijah does not appear to have intended to depose his father, but to assert his claim to succeed to the crown after his death, as being the eldest surviving son: see 2 Sam. iii. 2-4. Amnon, Chileab (Daniel, 1 Chron. iii. 1), and Absalom were older; but we know that Amnon and Absalom were dead, and Chileab, of whom nothing is recorded, probably died young. God had promised the kingdom to Solomon, the “man of peace,” who was to build the Temple (1 Chron. xxii. 9; xxviii. 5); and Adonijah was aware of this decision: see ii. 15.

6 had not displeased him. Showing the same laxity of parental discipline which had produced such disastrous consequences in the instances of Amnon and Absalom.

his mother bare him after Absalom. This means only that Adonijah was next in age to Absalom; for they were not sons of the same mother (R.V., “he was born after Absalom”).

8. Benaiah.** Benaiah was the fifth of David’s mighty men, the captain of twenty-four thousand men for the third month (1 Chron. xxvii. 5), and commander of David’s body-guard; and was consequently a man of great influence. He succeeded Joab as commander-in-chief under the reign of Solomon.

Shimei. Not Shimei of Bahurim; but probably the son of Elah, and the same who was afterwards one of Solomon’s officers (iv. 18). Josephus calls him “the friend of David” (Antig. vii. 14).

9. Zoheleth.** “The Serpent’s Stone.” This was on the eastern side of Zion, by the fountain En-regel and the King’s Gardens, at the junction of the King’s Dale with the Valley of Hinnom.

10. Solomon his brother he called not.** The omission to invite Solomon showed that Adonijah considered him as his rival.

12 that thou mayest save, etc. See note on 1 Sam. xxiv. 21.

13. Didst not thou . . . swear?** The oath is nowhere recorded; but no doubt there was a solemn declaration by David to Bath-sheba of the Divine promise.

18. Adonijah reigneth.** i.e., claims the direct succession, the chief ecclesiastical and military authorities (19) being on his side.

25. God save king Adonijah.** Heb., “Let king Adonijah live.”

28. Call me Bath-sheba. She had probably retired during the interview between David and Nathan: cp. ver. 22.

33 the servants of your lord. i.e., the royal body-guard.

Gihon. Gihon was a fountain in the valley on the west of Zion; consequently on the opposite side of the city to En-rogel, where Adonijah and his party were (9); and was probably chosen on that account.

36 the Lord God of my lord. i.e., “the Eternal, the God of my lord the king”: see R.V. So ver. 48, “the Eternal, the God of Israel.”

38 the Cherethites and the Pelethites. See note on 2 Sam. viii. 18.

39 a horn of oil. R.V., “the horn,” reserved for such occasions. The “tabernacle” is in R.V. “the tent”: not the great Tabernacle in Gibeon, but the tent erected by David on Mount Zion.

42 a valiant man. Or, “good,” “worthy” (R.V.); as in ver. 52, and Prov. xii. 2.

43. Verily. Rather, “Nay, but”; intended at once to check Adonijah’s confidence.

51 to-day. Rather, “first of all” (R.V. marg.).