1 Kings 1

X HESE two following books contain the history of the kings of Israel and Judah, from the beginning of Solomon’s reign down to the captivity of Babylon: for the space of near six hundred years; taking into the account the history of the two foregoing books. It is highly probable that they were composed by Ezra, who extracted them out of the public records: which were kept of what passed in that nation; as we read of the book of the acts of Solomon, in this very book, xi. 41.: and frequently of the books of the kings of Israel, and of the kings of Judah; and of the book of Jehu, in which was written the acts of Johoshaphat, 2 Chron. xx. 34. And Isaiah, we read, wrote the acts of Uzziah, first and last, 2 Chron. xxvi. 22.: out of which, and such-like books, Ezra composed this brief history. In which there are several things that heathens themselves have taken notice of, as Huetius observes in his Demonstratio Evangelica, propos.iv. where, he answers the trifling objections which some have made against the antiquity of these books. *’ ~

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IS OW David was old and stricken in years. For he was seventy years old, as we learn from 2 Sam. v. 4, 5. ► And they covered him with clothes, but Ii<f got no heat J] His blood was so chilled, that he could not be warm in his bed, much less when he was up. Dr. Lightfoot thinks he was struck with a dead palsy. 1 V W the days of David drew nigh that he should die.] As he himself was sensible. And he charged Solomon his. son, saying.] After the; example of Abraham, the father ofthe faithful, (Gen. xviii. 19.)

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Wherefore his sei’vants. His physicians, it is most likely, that attended him. Said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king.’] Those are, the words of the prime physician, in the name of the rest. A young virgin; and let her stand before the king J] Or, minister unto him in the day-time: for the very sight of a beautiful virgin very much excites the natural spirits. And let her cherish him, and let Iter lie in thy bosom.] Become his wife, and in the night lie in the same bed close to him. lliat my lord the king may get heat.] For nothing more effectually procures heat and healthful concoction than the application of a young body, even of a puppy, to the Stomach all night: as Galen observes, in his fifth book of the Power of simple Medicines. For avfKpvXorepa, kol o\Ku6rtQa -rroXv, this warmth is nearer of kin to us, and more proper, than any other that can be invented: as Victorinus Strigclius hath taken notice. I go the way of all the earth.] And so was unable to govern any longer. Be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man.] In. wisdom and in courage.

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So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishay the Shiinauunite, and brought her to the king. She being young, sprightly, and willing to be taken into his bed: for his other wives were grown too old to put any life into him. vol. n. And keep the charge oftheLordthy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies.] Under, these four words arc comprehended all the laws of Moses: statutes being such constitutions as had not their foundation.in reason,, but in the will and pleasure of God: as. not to,sow:two;

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And the damsel was very fair. Of an amiable countenance. And cherished the king, and ministered to him; but the king knetv her not.] Did not enjoy her as his wife; but she remained still a virgin: being his bedfellow only to keep him warm.

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ThenAdonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, J will be king. Taking advantage of his father’s age and weakness (who he thought could not oppose it), he resolved to take possession of the kingdom: but the crown, as the Jews fancy, would not fit him. And he prepared himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.] Just as Absalom had done, when he began to conspire against his father, 2 Sam. xv. 1., Ver. G. And his father had not displeased him at any, time, in saying, Why hast thou done so?] This was one of David’s great faults,’extraordinary indulgence unto his children: of whom he was so fond, that he seems to have overlooked their errors, and never to have chidden them for any thing they did amiss. And now in his old age, this wickedness was more apparent; he growing naturally more remiss, careless, and sluggish. And he also was a very goodly man.] And so the more likely to draw the people after him. For a noble aspect was always a qualification for the royal authority; as appears by the history of Saul, David, and Absalom. And his mother bare him after Absalom.] He pretended to the crown, because Absalom being dead; he was next to him in order of birth. (See 2 Sam. iih 3, 4.)'

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And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest. Whom, it is likely, he knew to be two discontented persons: the former upon the account of David’s putting Amasa in.his place; and the other because he saw Zadok in greater favour than himself. And they, following Adonijah, helped him.] “Furthered him in his design, as a means to secure themselves with the next heir. -

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But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son ofJehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei f and lie?, and the mighty men which belonged unto David, were not with Adonijah. The three first of these are well known to have been great favourites of David: and therefore Adonijah knew would not be for his turn. The two next, it is likely, were persons of note, who were perfectly in David’s interest: and Shimei possibly may be the personwhom Salomon preferred to a great office, (iv. 18.) though Abarbinel thinks he was Shimei who cursed David. (See upon the next chapter, Ver; 8.) The mighty men here mentioned are those named in 2 Sam. xxiii. and his guards, who had served under David So long, and done such mighty acts in his reign, and under his conduct; that Adonijah had no hopcof drawing them in to his party. Microsoft® 3D A: COMMENTARY UPON [CHAP/l.

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And Adonijah slew sheep, and oxen, and fat cattle. Of the Hebrew word inert, which we translate fat cattle, see upon 2 Sam. vi. 13. By the stone of Zoheleth ivhich is by En-rogeL] The Hebrew word Zohel signifies a slow motion, as Bochaft observes in his Ifierozoicon, par. i. lib. i. cap. 9. from whence this stone had its name: the fullers here pressing out the water, which dropped from the clothes thatthey had washed in this well, called RogeL Josephus saith the king’s gardens lay near this well: which, out of him, is also affirmed byProcopius Gazaeus. Andcalledall his brethren the king’s sons.’] Whose names are mentioned in 2 Sam. iii. 4, 5. and more largely in 1 Chron. Hi. 4, 5, &c. And all the men of Judali the king’s’ servants.] Except those beforementioncd, ver. 8. and again excepted, ver. 10. But all the rest of the family of David, and the principal persons of the tribe of Judah, with the high-priest, and the captain of the host, being present, there seemed to be nothing wanting to the making of him king, but only his anointing.- For this seems to have been a federal feast; wherein they swaro allegiance to Adonijah.

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But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men,’ and Solomon his brother, he called Hot. It was a feast, I suppose, upon a great sacrifice: unto which none came but they who were invited.

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Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the motlter of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Ado nijah the son of Haggith doth reign.* It seems they were so bold as to proclaim him king.’ An<L David our lord knowethit not?] For it was secretly contrived between him and Joab, and the rest: without’the privity of David or Bath-sheba.

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Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thy own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. Whom he knew they would endeavour to cut off: as the person designed by David to be his successor.

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Go.and get thee in unto king David, and say tmto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, sivarevnto thy heendmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after tii$, and he shall sit upon my throne? Why then doth Adonijah reign?] We do not read any where else of this oath; but no doubt he had solemnly sworn to her, that he would make her son his successor: God himself having designed him to that honour; as appears from 2 Sam. vii. 12. where God promises by Nathan to set upon his throne a* son that should proceed from him: which plainly signified, none of his sons already born was to be the person. But more plainly, 1 Chron., xxii. 8—10, &c. he declares that God told him Solomon should reign after him, and build hihi a house, and thereupon he commanded all the princes -of Israel to be assistant to him, ver. 17. and sec xxviii. 5, G. All this, I doubt not, was known to Adonijah; which made his crime the greater, in setting himself against the decree of Heaven: and he himself confesses as much in the next chapter, ver. 15. *

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Behold, ivfiile thou yet talkest there ivith the king, I also tvill come in after thee, and confirm thy words. Which he knew would quicken the king, to give speedy orders about. this matter. *

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And Baih-shebq, went in nnlo the king into the chamber. Being the king’s wife, she had the privilege to come into his bedchamber, without asking leave, as Kimchi observes. Whereas Nathan did not appear before the king till they told him he was there to wait upon him, (ver. 23.) V, And the king was very old.] And could not discern who it was that entered into the chamber. And Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.] And informed him, it is likely, that Bath-sheba was come into the room to speak with him.

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And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance to the king. First bowed her head, and then her body: as the manner was even for their wives, as well as other persons. >And the king said, What wonkiest thou?] She had signified, I suppose, to Abishag, that she had some petitionto* make to him.

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And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. David “sware this, as Abarbinel thinks, when Absalom his eldest son rebelled against him. And the rather,: because Nathan had told him (as I observed before), a child should proceed from him that should sit upon his throne: who therefore was then unborn. But all the rest, except Solomon, were born before this promise; and therefore he concluded were none of them designed by God to be his successors/ *»

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And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth,• and now’; my lord the king, thou knowest it not. This she saith, that she might not seem to accuse David of breaking his oath: and that she might aggravate the crime of Adonijah, in presuming to usuTp the throne while his father was alive, and without his knowledge.

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And he hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king y and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.] She very subniissivcly calls herself his handmaid, and her son his servant: the more to win upon his affection unto those that humbly depended “upon his pleasure.

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And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon the<e, that thou shouldest tell them ivho shall sit upon the throne of my lord the king after thee. This she said all Israel expected from the king, that she might free him from all fear of such a rebellion as Absalom raised; the people not being joined to Adonijah, but continuing in suspense, till the king had declared his mind about his successor. Thus Abarbinel. And this power of naming a successor continued for some time after him, as appears by the story of his grandson Rehoboam: who, though no great man, yet took upon him this authority of nominating a successor, and made of hisyoungcst: sons, viz. Abijah, king after him. (See 2 Chron. xi. 20. 22, &c.) But this custom did not last long; not being in use among their neighbours: as the story of the Moabites shews, 2 Kings iii. 27. Yet it was the manner of excellent princes among thellomans to appoint their successor, whom the people gladly received. So Augustus did: and M. Aurelius commends Nerva for so doing. Vtr; 21.* Otherwise it shall come to pass, xvhen my lord the king shall sleep withhis fathers, that I and my son So- CHAP. I.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS. lomon shall be accounted offenders.] Guilty of death for aiming at the kingdom.

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And, lo, while she talked With the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. To confirm what she bad said, according to his promise, (ver. 14.)

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And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. Whereupon Bath-sheba, it is likely, withdrew, as if she supposed he had some private message to deliver unto David. And when he teas come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.] Tho prophets themselves, as well as other men, gave the profoundest reverence to the king (as Maimonides observes), that they might teach all his subjects their duty. Nor w 7 as the high-priest excepted. (Sec Schickard de Jure Regni, cap. 4. Theor. 13.) The Hebrew word is used for religious worship, in Psal. xlv. 12. xcv. 6. but very often only for political, and that very anciently, jn Gen. xxiii.7. Buth ii. 10. 2 Sam. xvi. 14. and many other places. •

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And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?. He knew very well he had given no such order; but he said this to awaken the king, to consider how presumptuous Adonijah was.

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For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen, and fat cattle, and sheep in abundance, andhath called all the king’s sons, and the captain of the host, and Abiathar; the priest: and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah!] By this time Nathan had received perfect intelligence, what was the design of that great feast; and they had not only consulted to raise Adonijah to the throne, but actually proclaimed him, king. “Which was more than Bath-sheba had told him.

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But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son ofJehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. For he knew they were all faithful to king David; and would follow his directions.

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Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?. In a matter of this importance, he could not believe the king would act without his advice: whom he was wont to consult on other occasions; and who had acquainted him with the mind of God concerning Solomon. *

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And king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. Who was withdrawn, as I said, into another room, upon the coming in of Nathan: or stood at a distance in the room where they were. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.] To understand his pleasure.

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And the king sware, and said, As the Lord livtth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress. Unto whom he was so much indebted, that it could not be thought he would take his name in vain: but she. might trust him now that he so solemnly sware again to her.

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Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.] He had not forgotten his former oath, which he now renews; and resolves.immediately to put it in execution. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen.] Gave his consent in the name of all the rest: and I suppose sware allegiance to him. The Lord God of my lord the king say so too.] They all said the same, ver. 47. Nothing doubting God would establish his authority..

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Then Bath-sheba bowed her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king. Most humbly acknowledged his goodness; by a lower reverence than she made before, (ver. 16.) And said, Letniy lord the king live for ever.] There could be no higher expression of love and thankfulness, than to desire never to see Solomon on the throne, if it were possible for David always to enjoy it. " •'

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And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. They were such trusty and resolute persons, that he knew would not fear to execute his commands.

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And the Icing said unto them, Take with you the * servants of your lord. His constant guards, the Cherethites and Pelethitcs. (Sec ver. 38.) And cause Solomon my son to ride upon my oivn mule.] The rest of David’s sons were wont to ride upon mules, when they went abroad, (2 Sam. xiii. 29.) And Absalom rode upon a mule, when he was hanged in the oak, (xviii. 9.) But David had a mule peculiarly reserved for himself alone; on which Solomon being set, it wasthe beginning of his royal authority: for no private person whatsoever, as Abarbinel observes, might ride upon the king’s mule. He also. further notes, that David ordered him to ride upon a mule, and not upon a horse, because a horse is prepared for battle, (Prov. xxi. 31.) but a mule is a quiet creature: signifying the peace, tranquillity, and security, which theyenjoyed in Solomon’s reign. But the first is the more pertinent observation: for it was capital (as Maimonides observes) to ride upon the king’s horse or mule; or sit in his throne; or. use his sceptre, &c. without the king’s” order. As, on the contrary, to have the honour to ride* upon his horse, by his order, was accounted the highest dignity among the Persians, as appears by the story of Mordecai in. the sixth chapter of Esther. And bring him down to Gihon.] A fountain on the west side of Jerusalem, which divided itself into two streams,- as some say, and made two pools: that of Siloam, and that of Solomon, mentioned by Joscphus, (lib. vi. de Bello Judaico, cap. 38.) But Kimchi/and Abarbinel also, take them only for different names for one and the same rivulet;’ which was called Gihon, and also Siloam, as the Targunf hath it. Hither they were ordered to bring down Solomon; for it is a maxim among the Jews, that they do not anoint a king, but near a fountain: though they have no authority for it, that I kno_w of, but from this chapter: where wr read of Adonijah’s going to En-rogel, (ver. 9.) and Solomon’s being brought to Gihon; which was a fountain or. « brook near Jerusalem: for thereabout a great number of people used always to be; whom they would have to observe it. The Jews, give another reason for it, in the.Talmud; that it might be a signification and good omen of the perpetuity of the kingdom: which should continue like a fountain, which runs perpetually. (See Schickard, in his Jus Rcgium, cap. 1. Thcor. 4.). But from what is said here of Solomon, wc cannot safely make a general conclu-’ sion, that all kings were anointed at fountains. For Saul the first king was not; and in the’history of David, whb f was anointed three times, there is no mention of it. f

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And let Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, anoint him there king over Israel. One of them poured out the oil, and the other anointed him, as the forenamed Microsoft ® 3 D 2 A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. I. Schickard thinks it probable. Or, as others will have it, Zadok (as vicar of the high-priest, who in his absence performed all his offices) did both: and Nathan the prophet was witness of the Divine revelation and promise, that Solomon should succeed in the kingdom. For Abarbincl is of opinion, that no king was anointed but by tho authority of a prophet: which is hard to be proved out of Scripture, as Carpzovios observes. (See vcr. 39.) And bloiv ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon f] Proclaim him to be the king of Israel. Tho history of Absalom shews that he was proclaimed king by the sound of the trumpet, (2 Sam. xv. 10.) And when God proclaimed his law, and himself tho king of Israel, the sound. of tlio. trumpet preceded with great vehemence, (Exod. xix. 16.) And hence many places in the Psalms are explained, which say, God went up with the sound of a trumpet, when, after the manner of kings, he. triumphed over his enemies, (xlvii. 5. xcviii. G.) Vcr. 35. Then ye shall come up after. him, that he may come and sit xipon my throne.’] Attend upon him to Jerusalem, and give him actual possession of the throne. For he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.] To have the same authority over all the people that David had.

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As the Lord hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David. He knew David loved his children so passionately, and desired their happiness so much, that he was assured he should not offend himwith this wish. In the Targum it is, As the Word of the Lord hath helped my lord the king, &c..

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So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites. This (and in vcr. 43.) is the last time that the Cherethites and Pelethites (whom Procopius Gazaeus here c&Ws fnnditores et sagittarios, slingers and archers) are mentioned in the holy Scriptures: for we read no more of them after the death of David. Which makes it probable, that in their room, David himself, in the conclusion of his reign, had appointed those troops which we read of in 1 Chron. xxvii. to attend upon him every month under their several commanders: which is the conjecture ofCorn. Bonaventura Bertram, de llepubl. Judaica, cap. 10. p. 133. And these are they he thinks who guarded Joash, (2 Kings xi. 4, &c.) called Ceri, or Cerim, i.e. Ariates (not much. different from Crethi) and Ratzim, which he translates Cwrsores. But I leave this to better judgments.’ Went down, and caused Solomon to ride on the king’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.] According as king David had ordered, (ver. 34.).

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And Zadok the priest. Here the anointing of himi^ attributed to the priest alone. And indeed the unctions which arc said to be made by a prophet, as Samuel anointed Saul and David, were private, but not public: which was always done by the priest, as Fortunatus Scac- <2ius hath endeavoured to shew in his third Myxothccium, v * Digitized by cap. 49, 50. It.must be confessed, that the prophet anointed Saul in Gilgal when he was publicly declared king: but then they offered sacrifice, which could not* be without the priest: and the Israelites made a covenant with David when they anointed him in Hebron, which must be by feasting upon a sacrifice offered by the priest. Yet a great many of the Jews are confident that no man, no, not’ the high-priest, could anoint a king, but only a prophet, as Samuel did David, and Nathan (Abarbinel here affirms) did Solomon, and Ahijah did Jeroboam. Took a horn of oil.] A vessel of oil, asthe Arabia translates it: which vessel was made of an ox’s horn, as Bochartus observes, lib. ii. Hierozoicon, cap. 37. par. i. They commonly made cups of such horns; whence the Greek word Ktpaaai, to mingle wine with water. (See Fortunatus Scacchus, Myrothcc. i. cap. 48.) Out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon.] This made his unction more solemn, and his person more sacred, because anointed with holy oil. Though the Jews are generally of opinion, that it was not necessary to anoint their kings with this holy oil made by Moses. And, indeed, they all agree there was no necessity of anointing them at all (the son being sufficiently anointed by the unction of his father), unless there arose a controversy about the succession of the crown. Thus Solomon was anointed because of the function of Adonijah, Joash because of Athaliah; and Jehu because of Joram. (See Selden, lib. ii. de Success, in Pontif. cap. 9. and Schickard’s Jus Regium, cap. 1* Theor. 4.) Fortunatus Scacchus also hath spent a whole chapter, of a good length, to shew that a private unction might be made with any oil: but a public, by oil taken from the tabernacle. Whence it is said of David, with my holy oil have I anointed thee. Yet he thinks that this oil, preserved in the tabernacle for that purpose, was not the same with the oil made by Moses, wherewith the highpriest alone was anointed. This he confirms by no contemptible arguments, in his Myrotbecium iii. Sacror. Elaeochrysm. cap. 48. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said; God save king Solomon!] After the unction followed the acclamation of the people. (See ver. 34.)

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And all the people came up after him. From Gihon unto Jerusalem. And the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy.] To see a king settled by David’s appointment: which they hoped might prevent all contests about the succession. So that the earth rent with the sound of them.] An hyperbolical expression, to signify the very loud noise the people made with their shouts and their pipes: which were instruments that had their name among the Hebrews from tho many holes that were in them: as the illustrious Spanhemius observes upon Callimachus’s hymn ad Dianam, ver. 1 244. where he notes great variety of them. Vcr. 41. And Adonijah, and all the guests that were with him, heard it as they had made an end of eating.] But, perhaps, were not yet risen from the table. (See ver. 49.) And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wlierefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?] By this time Solomon was got into Jerusalem; from whence they could hear tho shouting, and the sound ofthe trumpet and music. Which Josephus saith was accompanied with a great feast: which, is agreeable to 1 Chron. xxix. 21,22. Microsoft® CHAP. I.) THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS. Joab was most concerned to inquire what the matter was 1; for if the city was in an uproar, as he seems to suspect, it was his business, as captain of the host, to suppress it.

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And ivhile he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. He had been employed by David to bring liim intelligence, (2 Sam. xv. 27.) and it is likely was now left in Jerusalem l)y his father’s order, to bring him news of what passed there: And Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.] Or rather, thou art a virtuous man: for so the word wc here translate valiant is rendered in Prov. xii. 4. And so the Targum in this place, thou art a mart thatfearest to sin: and being a good man, he hoped brought good tidings, like himself.

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And Jonathan answered and said t& Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. He tells him (according to his character) he would not flatter him, but tell him the plain troth: that David had not only declared Solomon should socceed him io the throne, but actually made him king: and related the whole history of his proceedings in the following words.

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And the king hath sent with him Zadok tltepriest; and Nathan the prophet, and Bendiah the son ofJehoiada, and the Cherethites, and Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule.

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And Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, %ave anointed him king in Gihon. By authority from God, which Nathan, I suppose, pronounced; and then Zadok anointed him. And they arc gone up from thence rejoicing, so that the earth rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard. Ver. 4G. And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.] He was in actual possession of the kingdom: though his father was alive. For to sit upon the throoo was proper to the king: and none else, on pain of death, might be placed there. So Valerius Maximus speaks of the Persians, lib. v. cap. 1G.

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And moreover, the king’s servants came to bless king David, and said, God make the name of Solomon greater than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. See ver. 37. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.] Worshipped God, and prayed it might be so.

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And also thus said the king, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it. He gave a solemn thanks to God for the happiness of seeing Solomon begin his reign with such affection of his people, as they expressed by their joy at his inauguration. Jonathan, it appears by this, had been a diligent observer of every thing that had been done in this matter: for he omits nothing, but gives them a full and faithful account.

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And all the guests that were with Adonijah were xffraid, and rose up, and went every man his way. They rose from table where they were sitting, and departed every man to his o^yn home in great haste, that it might not be known they had been with Adonijah; who wanted those marks of royalty which were bestowed on Sol6mon: for he neither rode on the king’s mule, nor was he anointed, nor sat on the throne of thekingdom: nor do wc read of any forces that, lie had with him to maintain his title. Yet Fortunatus Scacchus thinks Adonijah wanted none of the marks of royalty, (insomuch that Bath-sheba told David ho reigned, ver. 18.) but this one alone. “Whichdefect threw* down all the regal majesty of Adonijah, scattered all his forces, and translated the possession of the kingdom to Solomon, as soon as he was consecrated by this holy unction, (lib. iii. Myrothec. cap. 47. p. 571.)

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And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold of the horns of the altar. He thought he had committed a crime worthy of death, by usurping the kingdom without his father’s consent, and against the known design of God: and therefore he fled. to the altar for safety and protection. It being a privileged place, not by. the appointment of the law, but by the custorn of all nations. It is a question to what altar he fled; whether to that at the tabernacle in Gibeon, or to that newly built in the thrashing-floor of ATaunah the Jebusite* Some think to this last, which was nearest; and it is expressly said of Joab in the next chapter, (ver. 29.) that he fled to the tabernacle of the Lord; which is not said here.

1 Kings 1:51

And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Ado* nijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, Let Solomon sivear to me to-* day, that he will not slay his servant with the stvord:] Hq offered to surrender himself, and make no opposition, if he might but be secured of his life: which he numbly begged by taking sanctuary at the altar. These words, to-day, signify that lie desired him from henceforth he would not punish him for what was past. l-.…. <

1 Kings 1:52

And Solomon said. He did not swear unto him, as he desired, but only declared. If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth.] He gave him a full pardon for what was past; on condition he behaved himself as became a good subject for the time to come. But if wickedness be found in him, he shall die.] If he did any thing (as Abarbinel glosses) which shewed that he had still a rebellious mind, this pardon should signify nothing, because he had broken the condition of it.

1 Kings 1:53

So king Solomon sent, and they brought hiin down from the altar. And hecame and bowed himself to king Solomon. He owned him for his sovereign. And Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.] There to lead a private life, and not go abroad with such an equipage as he had done, (ver, 5.) CHAP; II.