mh_parser/vol_split/11 - 1Kings/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="iKi.ii" n="ii" next="iKi.iii" prev="iKi.i" progress="50.69%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="iKi.ii-p0.1">F I R S T   K I N G S</h2>
<h3 id="iKi.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iKi.ii-p1">In this chapter we have, I. David declining in his
health, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.1-1Kgs.1.4" parsed="|1Kgs|1|1|1|4" passage="1Ki 1:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II.
Adonijah aspiring to the kingdom, and treating his party, in order
to it, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.5-1Kgs.1.10" parsed="|1Kgs|1|5|1|10" passage="1Ki 1:5-10">ver. 5-10</scripRef>. III.
Nathan and Bathsheba contriving to secure the succession to
Solomon, and prevailing for an order from David for the purpose,
<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.11-1Kgs.1.31" parsed="|1Kgs|1|11|1|31" passage="1Ki 1:11-31">ver. 11-31</scripRef>. IV. The
anointing of Solomon accordingly, and the people's joy therein,
<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.32-1Kgs.1.40" parsed="|1Kgs|1|32|1|40" passage="1Ki 1:32-40">ver. 32-40</scripRef>. V. The
effectual stop this put to Adonijah's usurpation, and the
dispersion of his party thereupon, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.41-1Kgs.1.49" parsed="|1Kgs|1|41|1|49" passage="1Ki 1:41-49">ver. 41-49</scripRef>. VI. Solomon's dismission of
Adonijah upon his good behaviour, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.50-1Kgs.1.53" parsed="|1Kgs|1|50|1|53" passage="1Ki 1:50-53">ver. 50-53</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iKi.ii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1" parsed="|1Kgs|1|0|0|0" passage="1Ki 1" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iKi.ii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.1-1Kgs.1.4" parsed="|1Kgs|1|1|1|4" passage="1Ki 1:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.1.1-1Kgs.1.4">
<h4 id="iKi.ii-p1.9">Introduction. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.ii-p2">1 Now king David was old <i>and</i> stricken in
years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
  2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought
for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the
king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that
my lord the king may get heat.   3 So they sought for a fair
damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a
Shunammite, and brought her to the king.   4 And the damsel
<i>was</i> very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to
him: but the king knew her not.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p3">David, as recorded in the foregoing
chapter, had, by the great mercy of God, escaped the sword of the
destroying angel. But our deliverances from or through diseases and
dangers are but reprieves; if the candle be not blown out, it will
burn out of itself. We have David here sinking under the
infirmities of old age, and brought by them to the gates of the
grave. He that <i>cometh up out of the pit shall fall into the
snare;</i> and, one way or other, <i>we must needs die.</i> 1. It
would have troubled one to see David so infirm. He as old, and his
natural heat so wasted that no clothes could keep him warm,
<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.1" parsed="|1Kgs|1|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. David had been
a valiant active man and a man of business, and very vehement had
the flame always been in his breast; and yet now his blood is
chilled and stagnated, he is confined to his bed, and there can get
no heat. He was now seventy years old. Many, at that age, are as
lively and fit for business as ever; but David was now chastised
for his former sins, especially that in the matter of Uriah, and
felt from his former toils and the hardships he had gone through in
his youth, which then he made nothing of, but was now the worse
for. <i>Let not the strong man glory in his strength,</i> which may
soon be weakened by sickness, or at last will be weakened by old
age. Let young people <i>remember their Creator in the days of
their youth,</i> before these evil days come. What our hand finds
to do for God, and our souls, and our generation, let us do with
all our might, because the night comes, the night of old age, in
which no man can work; and, when our strength has gone, it will be
a comfort to remember that we used it well. 2. It would have
troubled one to see his physicians so weak and unskilful that they
knew no other way of relieving him than by outward applications. No
cordials, no spirits, but, (1.) <i>They covered him with
clothes,</i> which, where there is any inward heat, will keep it
in, and so increase it; but, where it is not, they have none to
communicate, no, not royal clothing. Elihu makes it a difficulty to
understand <i>how our garments are warm upon us</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.37.17" parsed="|Job|37|17|0|0" passage="Job 37:17">Job xxxvii. 17</scripRef>); but, if God deny
his blessing, men <i>clothe themselves, and there is none warm</i>
(<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Hag.1.6" parsed="|Hag|1|6|0|0" passage="Hag 1:6">Hag. i. 6</scripRef>), David here was
not. (2.) They foolishly prescribed nuptials to one that should
rather have been preparing for his funeral (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.2-1Kgs.1.4" parsed="|1Kgs|1|2|1|4" passage="1Ki 1:2-4"><i>v.</i> 2-4</scripRef>); but they knew what would
gratify their own corruptions, and perhaps were too willing to
gratify his, under colour of consulting his health. His prophets
should have been consulted as well as his physicians in an affair
of this nature. However, this might be excused then, when even good
men ignorantly allowed themselves to have many wives. We now have
not so learned of Christ, but are taught that one man must have but
one wife (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.19.5" parsed="|Matt|19|5|0|0" passage="Mt 19:5">Matt. xix. 5</scripRef>), and
further that <i>it is good for a man not to touch a woman,</i>
<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.7.1" parsed="|1Cor|7|1|0|0" passage="1Co 7:1">1 Cor. vii. 1</scripRef>. That Abishag
was married to David before she lay with him, and was his secondary
wife, appears from its being imputed as a great crime to Adonijah
that he desired to marry her (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.2.22" parsed="|1Kgs|2|22|0|0" passage="1Ki 2:22"><i>ch.</i> ii. 22</scripRef>) after his father's
death.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.ii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.5-1Kgs.1.10" parsed="|1Kgs|1|5|1|10" passage="1Ki 1:5-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.1.5-1Kgs.1.10">
<h4 id="iKi.ii-p3.9">Adonijah's Ambition. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p3.10">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.ii-p4">5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted
himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and
horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.   6 And his father
had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done
so? and he also <i>was a</i> very goodly <i>man;</i> and <i>his
mother</i> bare him after Absalom.   7 And he conferred with
Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they
following Adonijah helped <i>him.</i>   8 But Zadok the
priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet,
and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which <i>belonged</i> to
David, were not with Adonijah.   9 And Adonijah slew sheep and
oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which <i>is</i> by
En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the
men of Judah the king's servants:   10 But Nathan the prophet,
and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called
not.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p5">David had much affliction in his children.
Amnon and Absalom had both been his grief; the one his first-born,
the other his third, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.3.2-2Sam.3.3" parsed="|2Sam|3|2|3|3" passage="2Sa 3:2,3">2 Sam. iii. 2,
3</scripRef>. His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose
he had comfort in; his fourth was Adonijah (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.3.4" parsed="|2Sam|3|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 3:4">2 Sam. iii. 4</scripRef>); he was one of those that were
born in Hebron; we have heard nothing of him till now, and here we
are told that he was a comely person, and that he was next in age,
and (as it proved) next in temper to Absalom, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.6" parsed="|1Kgs|1|6|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. And, further, that in his
father's eyes he had been a jewel, but was now a thorn.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p6">I. His father had made a fondling of him,
<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.6" parsed="|1Kgs|1|6|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. He had not
displeased him at any time. It is not said that he never displeased
his father; it is probably that he had done so frequently, and his
father was secretly troubled at his misconduct and lamented it
before God. But his father had not displeased him, by crossing him
in his humours, denying him any thing he had a mind to, or by
calling him to an account as to what he had done and where he had
been, or by keeping him to his book or his business, or reproving
him for what he saw or heard of that he did amiss; he never said to
him, <i>Why hast thou done so?</i> because he saw it was uneasy to
him, and he could not bear it without fretting. It was the son's
fault that he was displeased at reproof and took it for affront,
whereby he lost the benefit of it; and it was the father's fault
that, because he saw it displeased him, he did not reprove him; and
now he justly smarted for indulging him. Those who honour their
sons more than God, as those do who keep them not under good
discipline, thereby forfeit the honour they might expect from their
sons.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p7">II. He, in return, made a fool of his
father. Because he was old, and confined to his bed, he thought no
notice was to be taken of him, and therefore <i>exalted
himself,</i> and said, <i>I will be king,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.5" parsed="|1Kgs|1|5|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Children that are indulged learn
to be proud and ambitious, which is the ruin of a great many young
people. The way to keep them humble is to keep them under. Observe
Adonijah's insolence. 1. He looked upon the days of mourning for
his father to be at hand, and therefore he prepared to succeed him,
though he knew that by the designation both of God and David
Solomon was to be the man; for public notice had been given of it
by David himself, and the succession settled, as it were by act of
parliament, in pursuance of God's appointment, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.22.9 Bible:1Chr.23.1" parsed="|1Chr|22|9|0|0;|1Chr|23|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 22:9,23:1">1 Chron. xxii. 9; xxiii. 1</scripRef>. This entail
Adonijah attempted by force to cut off, in contempt both of God and
his father. Thus is the kingdom of Christ opposed, and there are
those that say, "We will not have him to reign over us." 2. He
looked upon his father as superannuated and good for nothing, and
therefore he entered immediately upon the possession of the throne.
He cannot wait till his father's head be laid low, but it must now
be said, <i>Adonijah reigns</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.18" parsed="|1Kgs|1|18|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), and, <i>God save king
Adonijah,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.25" parsed="|1Kgs|1|25|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>.
His father is not fit to govern, for he is old and past ruling, nor
Solomon, for he is young, and not yet able to rule; and therefore
Adonijah will take the government upon him. It argues a very base
and wicked mind for children to insult over their parents because
of the infirmities of their age. 3. In pursuance of this ambitious
project, (1.) He got a great retinue (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.5" parsed="|1Kgs|1|5|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), <i>chariots and horsemen,</i>
both for state and strength, to wait on him, and to fight for him.
(2.) He made great interest with no less than Joab, the general of
the army, and Abiathar the high priest, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.7" parsed="|1Kgs|1|7|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. That he should make his court to
those who by their influence in church and camp were capable of
doing him great service is not strange; but we may well wonder by
what arts they could be drawn to follow him and help him. They were
old men, who had been faithful to David in the most difficult and
troublesome of his times, men of sense and experience, who, one
would think, would not easily be wheedled. They could not propose
any advantage to themselves by supporting Adonijah, for they were
both at the top of their preferment and stood fast in it. They
could not be ignorant of the entail of the crown upon Solomon,
which it was not in their power to cut off, and therefore it was
their interest to oblige him. But God, in this matter, left them to
themselves, perhaps to correct them for some former misconduct with
a scourge of their own making. We are told (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.8" parsed="|1Kgs|1|8|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>) who those were that were of such
approved fidelity to David that Adonijah had not the confidence so
much as to propose his project to them—Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan.
A man that has given proofs of his resolute adherence to that which
is good shall not be asked to do a bad thing. (3.) He prepared a
great entertainment (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.9" parsed="|1Kgs|1|9|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>) at En-rogel, not far from Jerusalem; his guests were
the king's sons, and the king's servants, whom he feasted and
caressed to bring them over to his party; but Solomon was not
invited, either because he despised him or because he despaired of
him, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.9" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.10" parsed="|1Kgs|1|10|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Such as
serve their own belly, and will be in the interest of those that
will feast them what side soever they are of, are an easy prey to
seducers, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.10" osisRef="Bible:Rom.16.18" parsed="|Rom|16|18|0|0" passage="Ro 16:18">Rom. xvi. 18</scripRef>.
Some think that Adonijah slew these sheep and oxen, even fat ones,
for sacrifice, and that it was a religious feast he made, beginning
his usurpation with a show of devotion, as Absalom under the colour
of a vow (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p7.11" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.15.7" parsed="|2Sam|15|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 15:7">2 Sam. xv. 7</scripRef>),
which he might do the more plausibly when he had the high priest
himself on his side. It is a pity that any occasion should ever be
given to say, <i>In nomine Domini incipit omne malam—In the name
of the Lord begins all evil,</i> and that all religious exercises
should be made to patronise all religious practices.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.ii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.11-1Kgs.1.31" parsed="|1Kgs|1|11|1|31" passage="1Ki 1:11-31" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.1.11-1Kgs.1.31">
<h4 id="iKi.ii-p7.13">David Makes Solomon King. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p7.14">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.ii-p8">11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the
mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the
son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth <i>it</i>
not?   12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee
counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy
son Solomon.   13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say
unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine
handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me,
and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
  14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I
also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.   15 And
Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was
very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
  16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And
the king said, What wouldest thou?   17 And she said unto him,
My lord, thou swarest by the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p8.1">Lord</span>
thy God unto thine handmaid, <i>saying,</i> Assuredly Solomon thy
son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.  
18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king,
thou knowest <i>it</i> not:   19 And he hath slain oxen and
fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of
the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the
host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.   20 And
thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel <i>are</i> upon thee,
that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my
lord the king after him.   21 Otherwise it shall come to pass,
when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my
son Solomon shall be counted offenders.   22 And, lo, while
she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
  23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the
prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself
before the king with his face to the ground.   24 And Nathan
said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after
me, and he shall sit upon my throne?   25 For he is gone down
this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in
abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of
the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink
before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.   26 But me,
<i>even</i> me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the
son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
  27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not
showed <i>it</i> unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of
my lord the king after him?   28 Then king David answered and
said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and
stood before the king.   29 And the king sware, and said,
<i>As</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p8.2">Lord</span> liveth, that hath
redeemed my soul out of all distress,   30 Even as I sware
unto thee by the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p8.3">Lord</span> God of Israel,
saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he
shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do
this day.   31 Then Bathsheba bowed with <i>her</i> face to
the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord
king David live for ever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p9">We have here the effectual endeavours that
were used by Nathan and Bathsheba to obtain from David a
ratification of Solomon's succession, for the crushing of
Adonijah's usurpation. 1. David himself knew not what was doing.
Disobedient children think that they are well enough off if they
can but keep their good old parents ignorant of their bad courses;
but a <i>bird of the air will carry the voice.</i> 2. Bathsheba
lived retired, and knew nothing of it either, till Nathan informed
her. Many get very comfortably through this world that know little
how the world goes. 3. Solomon, it is likely, knew of it, but was
as a deaf man that heard not. Though he had years, and wisdom above
his years, yet we do not find that he stirred to oppose Adonijah,
but quietly composed himself and left it to God and his friends to
order the matter. Hence David, in his Psalm for Solomon, observes
that while men, in pursuit of the world, in vain <i>rise early and
sit up late, God giveth his beloved</i> (his <i>Jedidiahs</i>)
<i>sleep,</i> in giving them to be easy, and to gain their point
without agitation, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.127.1-Ps.127.2" parsed="|Ps|127|1|127|2" passage="Ps 127:1,2">Ps. cxxvii. 1,
2</scripRef>. How then is the design brought about?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p10">I. Nathan the prophet alarms Bathsheba by
acquainting her with the case, and puts her in a way to get an
order from the king for the confirming of Solomon's title. He was
concerned, because he knew God's mind, and David's and Israel's
interest; it was by him that God had named Solomon <i>Jedidiah</i>
(<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.12.25" parsed="|2Sam|12|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 12:25">2 Sam. xii. 25</scripRef>), and
therefore he could not sit still and see the throne usurped, which
he knew was Solomon's right by the will of him from whom promotion
cometh. When crowns were disposed of by immediate direction from
heaven, no marvel that prophets were so much interested and
employed in that matter; but now that common providence rules the
affairs of the kingdom of men (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Dan.4.32" parsed="|Dan|4|32|0|0" passage="Da 4:32">Dan. iv.
32</scripRef>) the subordinate agency must be left to common
persons, and let not prophets intermeddle in them, but keep to the
affairs of the kingdom of God among men. Nathan applied to
Bathsheba, as one that had the greatest concern for Solomon, and
could have the freest access to David. He informed her of
Adonijah's attempt (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.11" parsed="|1Kgs|1|11|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>), and that it was not with David's consent or
knowledge. He suggested to her that not only Solomon was in danger
of losing the crown, but that he and she too were in danger of
losing their lives if Adonijah prevailed. A humble spirit may be
indifferent to a crown, and may be content, notwithstanding the
prospect of it, to sit down short of the possession of it. But the
law of self-preservation, and the sixth commandment, obliges us to
use all possible endeavours to secure our own life and the life of
others. Now, says Nathan, let me <i>give thee counsel how to save
thy own life and the life of thy son,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.12" parsed="|1Kgs|1|12|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. Such as this is the counsel
that Christ's ministers give us in his name, to give all diligence,
not only <i>that no man take our crown</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.11" parsed="|Rev|3|11|0|0" passage="Re 3:11">Rev. iii. 11</scripRef>), but that we <i>save our
lives,</i> even the lives of our souls. He directs her (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.13" parsed="|1Kgs|1|13|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>) to go to the king, to
remind him of his word and oath, that Solomon should be his
successor; and to ask him in the most humble manner, <i>Why doth
Adonijah reign?</i> He thought David was not so cold but this would
warm him. Conscience, as well as a sense of honour, would put life
into him upon such an occasion as this; and he promised (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.24" parsed="|1Kgs|1|24|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>) that, while she was
reasoning with the king in this matter, he would come in and second
her, as if he came accidentally, which perhaps the king might look
upon as a special providence (and he was one that took notice of
such evidences, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.25.32-1Sam.25.33" parsed="|1Sam|25|32|25|33" passage="1Sa 25:32,33">1 Sam. xxv. 32,
33</scripRef>), or, at least, it would help to awaken him so much
the more.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p11">II. Bathsheba, according to Nathan's advice
and direction, loses no time, but immediately makes her application
to the king, on the same errand on which Esther came to king
Ahasuerus, to intercede for her life. She needed not wait for a
call as Esther did, she knew she should be welcome at any time; but
it is remarked that when she visited the king Abishag was
ministering to him (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.15" parsed="|1Kgs|1|15|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>), and Bathsheba took no displeasure either at him or
her for it, also that she <i>bowed and did obeisance to the
king</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.16" parsed="|1Kgs|1|16|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), in
token of her respect to him both as her prince and as her husband;
such a genuine daughter was she of Sarah, who obeyed Abraham,
calling him <i>lord.</i> Those that would find favour with
superiors mush show them reverence, and be dutiful to those whom
they expect to be kind to them. Her address to the king, on this
occasion, is very discreet. 1. She reminded him of his promise made
to her and confirmed with a solemn oath, that Solomon should
succeed him, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.17" parsed="|1Kgs|1|17|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>.
She knew how fast this would hold such a conscientious man as David
was. 2. She informed him of Adonijah's attempt, which he was
ignorant of (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.18" parsed="|1Kgs|1|18|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>):
"Adonijah reigns, in competition with thee for the present and in
contradiction to thy promise for the future. The fault is not
thine, for thou knewest it not; but now that thou knowest it thou
wilt, in pursuance of thy promise, take care to suppress this
usurpation." She told him who were Adonijah's guests, and who were
in his interest, and added, but "<i>Solomon thy servant has he not
called,</i> which plainly shows he looks upon him as his rival, and
aims to undermine him, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.19" parsed="|1Kgs|1|19|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. It is not an oversight, but a contempt of the act of
settlement, that Solomon is neglected." 3. She pleads that it is
very much in his power to obviate this mischief (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.20" parsed="|1Kgs|1|20|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): <i>The eyes of all Israel are
upon thee,</i> not only as a <i>king,</i> for we cannot suppose it
the prerogative of any prince to bequeath his subjects by will (as
if they were his goods and chattels) to whom he pleases, but as a
<i>prophet.</i> All Israel knew that David was not only himself
<i>the anointed of the God of Jacob,</i> but that the <i>Spirit of
the Lord spoke by him</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.23.1-2Sam.23.2" parsed="|2Sam|23|1|23|2" passage="2Sa 23:1,2">2 Sam.
xxiii. 1, 2</scripRef>), and therefore waiting for and depending
upon a divine designation, in a matter of such importance, David's
word would be an oracle and a law to them; this therefore (says
Bathsheba) they expect, and it will end the controversy and
effectually quash all Adonijah's pretensions. <i>A divine sentence
is in the lips of the king.</i> Note, Whatever power, interest or
influence, men have, they ought to improve it to the utmost for the
preserving and advancing of the kingdom of the Messiah, of which
Solomon's kingdom was a type. 4. She suggested the imminent peril
which she and her son would be in if this matter was not settled in
David's life-time, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p11.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.21" parsed="|1Kgs|1|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. "If Adonijah prevail, as he is likely to do (having
Joab the general and Abiathar the priest on his side) unless
speedily suppressed, Solomon and all his friends will be looked
upon as traitors and dealt with accordingly." Usurpers are most
cruel. If Adonijah had got into the throne, he would not have dealt
so fairly with Solomon as Solomon did with him. Those hazard
everything who stand in the way of such as against right force
their entrance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p12">III. Nathan the prophet, according to his
promise, seasonably stepped in, and seconded her, while she was
speaking, before the king had given his answer, lest, if he had
heard Bathsheba's representation only, his answer should be
dilatory and only that he would consider of it: but out of the
mouth of two witnesses, two such witnesses, the word would be
established, and he would immediately give positive orders. The
king is told that Nathan the prophet has come, and he is sure to be
always welcome to the king, especially when either he is not well
or has any great affair upon his thoughts; for, in either case, a
prophet will be, in a particular manner, serviceable to him. Nathan
knows he must render honour to whom honour is due, and therefore
pays the king the same respect now that he finds him sick in bed as
he would have done if he had found him in his throne: He <i>bowed
himself with his face to the ground,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.23" parsed="|1Kgs|1|23|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. He deals a little more plainly
with the king than Bathsheba had done. In this his character would
support him, and the present languor of the king's spirits made it
necessary that they should be roused. 1. He makes the same
representation of Adonijah's attempt as Bathsheba had made
(<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.25-1Kgs.1.26" parsed="|1Kgs|1|25|1|26" passage="1Ki 1:25,26"><i>v.</i> 25, 26</scripRef>),
adding that his party had already got to such a height of assurance
as to shout, <i>God save king Adonijah,</i> as if king David were
already dead, taking notice also that they had not invited him to
their feast (<i>Me thy servant has he not called</i>), thereby
intimating that they resolved not to consult either God or David in
the matter, for Nathan was <i>secretioribus consiliis—intimately
acquainted with the mind of both.</i> 2. He makes David sensible
how much he was concerned to clear himself from having a hand in
it: <i>Hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me?</i>
(<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.24" parsed="|1Kgs|1|24|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>), and again
(<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.27" parsed="|1Kgs|1|27|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>), "<i>Is this
thing done by my lord the king?</i> If it be, he is not so faithful
either to God's word or to his own as we all took him to be; if it
be not, it is high time that we witness against the usurpation, and
declare Solomon his successor. If it be, why is not Nathan made
acquainted with it, who is not only in general, the king's
confidant, but is particularly concerned in this matter, having
been employed to notify to David the mind of God concerning the
succession; but, if my lord the king knows nothing of the matter
(as certainly he does not), what daring insolence are Adonijah and
his party guilty of!" Thus he endeavoured to incense David against
them, that he might act the more vigorously for the support of
Solomon's interest. Note, Good men would do their duty if they were
reminded of it, and put upon it, and told what occasion there is
for them to appear; and those who thus are their remembrancers do
them a real kindness, as Nathan here did to David.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p13">IV. David, hereupon, made a solemn
declaration of his firm adherence to his former resolution, that
Solomon should be his successor. Bathsheba is called in (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.28" parsed="|1Kgs|1|28|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), and to her, as acting
for and on behalf of her son, the king gives these fresh
assurances. 1. He repeats his former promise and oath, owns that he
had <i>sworn unto her by the Lord God of Israel that Solomon would
reign after him,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.30" parsed="|1Kgs|1|30|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>. Though he is old, and his memory begins to fail him,
yet he remembers this. Note, An oath is so sacred a thing that the
obligations of it cannot be broken, and so solemn a thing that the
impressions of it, one would think, cannot be forgotten. 2. He
ratifies it with another, because the occasion called for it: <i>As
the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
even so will I certainly do this day,</i> without dispute, without
delay. His form of swearing seems to be what he commonly used on
solemn occasions, for we find it, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.4.9" parsed="|2Sam|4|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 4:9">2
Sam. iv. 9</scripRef>. And it carries in it a grateful
acknowledgment of the goodness of God to him, in bringing him
safely through the many difficulties and hardships which had lain
in his way, and which he now makes mention of to the glory of God
(as Jacob, when he lay a dying, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.48.16" parsed="|Gen|48|16|0|0" passage="Ge 48:16">Gen.
xlviii. 16</scripRef>), thus setting to his seal, from his own
experience, that that was true which the Spirit of the Lord spoke
by him. <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.34.22" parsed="|Ps|34|22|0|0" passage="Ps 34:22">Ps. xxxiv. 22</scripRef>,
<i>The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants.</i> Dying saints
ought to be witnesses for God, and speak of him as they have found.
Perhaps he speaks thus, on this occasion, for the encouragement of
his son and successor to trust in God in the distresses he also
might meet with.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p14">V. Bathsheba receives these assurances
(<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.31" parsed="|1Kgs|1|31|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>), 1. With
great complaisance to the king's person; she did reverence to him;
while Adonijah and his party affronted him. 2. With hearty good
wishes for the king's health; <i>Let him live.</i> So far was she
from thinking that he lived too long that she prayed he might live
for ever, if it were possible, to adorn the crown he wore and to be
a blessing to his people. We should earnestly desire the prolonging
of useful lives, however it may be the postponing of any advantages
of our own.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.ii-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.32-1Kgs.1.40" parsed="|1Kgs|1|32|1|40" passage="1Ki 1:32-40" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.1.32-1Kgs.1.40">
<h4 id="iKi.ii-p14.3">Solomon Declared Successor. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p14.4">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.ii-p15">32 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.   33 The king also said unto
them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my
son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:  
34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there
king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save
king Solomon.   35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he
may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead:
and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
  36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and
said, Amen: the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p15.1">Lord</span> God of my lord
the king say so <i>too.</i>   37 As the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p15.2">Lord</span> 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.   38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the
prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and
the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king
David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.   39 And Zadok the
priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed
Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God
save king Solomon.   40 And all the people came up after him,
and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so
that the earth rent with the sound of them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p16">We have here the effectual care David took
both to secure Solomon's right and to preserve the public peace, by
crushing Adonijah's project in the bud. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p17">I. The express orders he gave for the
proclaiming of Solomon. The persons he entrusted with this great
affair were Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah, men of power and interest
whom David had always reposed a confidence in and found faithful to
him, and whom Adonijah had passed by in his invitation, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.10" parsed="|1Kgs|1|10|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. David orders them
forthwith, with all possible solemnity, to proclaim Solomon. They
must take with them <i>the servants of their lord,</i> the
lifeguards, and all the servants of the household. They must set
Solomon on the mule the king used to ride, for he kept not such
stables of horses as his son afterwards did. He appoints them
whither to go (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.33-1Kgs.1.35" parsed="|1Kgs|1|33|1|35" passage="1Ki 1:33-35"><i>v.</i> 33 and
<i>v.</i> 34, 35</scripRef>), and what to do. 1. Zadok and Nathan,
the two ecclesiastical persons, must, in God's name, anoint him
king; for though he was not the first of his family, as Saul and
David were, yet he was a younger son, was made king by divine
appointment, and his title was contested, which made it necessary
that hereby it should be settled. This unction was typical of the
designation and qualification of the Messiah, or Christ, the
anointed one, on whom the Spirit, that oil of gladness, was poured
without measure, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.9 Bible:Ps.89.20" parsed="|Heb|1|9|0|0;|Ps|89|20|0|0" passage="Heb 1:9,Ps 89:20">Heb. i. 9;
Ps. lxxxix. 20</scripRef>. And all Christians, being <i>heirs of
the kingdom</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.5" parsed="|Jas|2|5|0|0" passage="Jam 2:5">Jam. ii.
5</scripRef>), do from him <i>receive the anointing,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.27" parsed="|1John|2|27|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:27">1 John ii. 27</scripRef>. 2. The great officers,
civil and military, are ordered to give public notice of this, and
to express the public joy upon this occasion by sound of trumpet,
by which the law of Moses directed the gracing of great
solemnities; to this must be added the acclamations of the people:
"<i>Let king Solomon live,</i> let him prosper, let his kingdom be
established and perpetuated, and let him long continue in the
enjoyment of it;" so it had been promised concerning him. <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.72.15" parsed="|Ps|72|15|0|0" passage="Ps 72:15">Ps. lxxii. 15</scripRef>, <i>He shall live.</i>
3. They must then bring him in state to the city of David, and he
must sit upon the throne of his father, as his substitute now, or
viceroy, to despatch public business during his weakness and be his
successor after his death: <i>He shall be king in my stead.</i> It
would be a great satisfaction to David himself, and to all parties
concerned, to have this done immediately, that upon the demise of
the king there might be no dispute, or agitation, in the public
affairs. David was far from grudging his successor the honour of
appearing such in his life-time, and yet perhaps was so taken up
with his devotions on his sick-bed that, if he had not been put in
mind of it by others, this great good work, which was so necessary
to the public repose, would have been left undone.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p18">II. The great satisfaction which Benaiah,
in the name of the rest, professed in these orders. The king said,
"Solomon shall reign for me, and reign after me." "Amen" (says
Benaiah heartily); "as the king says, so say we; we are entirely
satisfied in the nomination, and concur in the choice, we give our
vote for Solomon, <i>nemine contradicente—unanimously,</i> and
since we can bring nothing to pass, much less establish it, without
the concurrence of a propitious providence, <i>The Lord God of my
lord the king say so too!</i>" <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.36" parsed="|1Kgs|1|36|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>. This is the language of his
faith in that promise of God on which Solomon's government was
founded. If we say as God says in his word, we may hope that he
will say as we say by his providence. To this he adds a prayer for
Solomon (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.37" parsed="|1Kgs|1|37|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>),
that God would be with him as he had been with David, and make his
throne greater. He knew David was not one of those that envy their
children's greatness, and that therefore he would not be disquieted
at this prayer, nor take it as an affront, but would heartily say
<i>Amen</i> to it. The wisest and best man in the world desires his
children may be wiser and better than he, for he himself desires to
be wiser and better than he is; and wisdom and goodness are true
greatness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p19">III. The immediate execution of these
orders, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.38-1Kgs.1.40" parsed="|1Kgs|1|38|1|40" passage="1Ki 1:38-40"><i>v.</i> 38-40</scripRef>.
No time was lost, but Solomon was brought in state to the place
appointed, and there Zadok (who, though he was not as yet high
priest, was, we may suppose, the suffragan, the Jews called him the
<i>sagan,</i> or second priest) anointed him by the direction of
Nathan the prophet and David the king, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.39" parsed="|1Kgs|1|39|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. In the tabernacle, where the
ark was now lodged, was kept among other sacred things, the holy
oil for many religious services thence Zadok took a <i>horn of
oil,</i> which denotes both power and plenty, and therewith
anointed Solomon. We do not find that Abiathar pretended to anoint
Adonijah: he was made king by a feast, not by an unction. Whom God
calls, he will qualify, which was signified by the anointing;
usurpers had it not. <i>Christ</i> signifies <i>anointed,</i> and
he is the king whom God hath <i>set upon his holy hill of Sion,</i>
according to decree, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.6-Ps.2.7" parsed="|Ps|2|6|2|7" passage="Ps 2:6,7">Ps. ii. 6,
7</scripRef>. Christians also are <i>made to our God</i> (and
<i>by</i> him) <i>kings,</i> and they have an <i>unction from the
Holy One,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.20" parsed="|1John|2|20|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:20">1 John ii.
20</scripRef>. The people, hereupon, express their great joy and
satisfaction in the elevation of Solomon, surround him with their
Hosannas—<i>God save king Solomon,</i> and attend him with their
music and shouts of joy, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.40" parsed="|1Kgs|1|40|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:40"><i>v.</i>
40</scripRef>. Hereby they declared their concurrence in the
choice, and that he was not forced upon them, but cheerfully
accepted by them. The power of a prince can be little satisfaction
to himself, unless he knows it to be a satisfaction to his people.
Every Israelite indeed rejoices in the exaltation of the Son of
David.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.ii-p0.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.41-1Kgs.1.53" parsed="|1Kgs|1|41|1|53" passage="1Ki 1:41-53" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.1.41-1Kgs.1.53">
<h4 id="iKi.ii-p19.7">Solomon Proclaimed. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p19.8">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.ii-p20">41 And Adonijah and all the guests that
<i>were</i> with him heard <i>it</i> as they had made an end of
eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said,
Wherefore <i>is this</i> noise of the city being in an uproar?
  42 And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of
Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for
thou <i>art</i> a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.   43
And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king
David hath made Solomon king.   44 And the king hath sent with
him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son
of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have
caused him to ride upon the king's mule:   45 And Zadok the
priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and
they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang
again. This <i>is</i> the noise that ye have heard.   46 And
also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.   47 And
moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David,
saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make
his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon
the bed.   48 And also thus said the king, Blessed <i>be</i>
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.ii-p20.1">Lord</span> God of Israel, which hath
given <i>one</i> to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even
seeing <i>it.</i>   49 And all the guests that <i>were</i>
with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.
  50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and
went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.   51 And it
was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon:
for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let
king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant
with the sword.   52 And Solomon said, If he will show himself
a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth: but
if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.   53 So
king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he
came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him,
Go to thine house.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p21">We have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p22">I. The tidings of Solomon's inauguration
brought to Adonijah and his party, in the midst of their jollity:
<i>They had made an end of eating,</i> and, it should seem, it was
a great while before they made an end, for all the affair of
Solomon's anointing was ordered and finished while they were at
dinner, glutting themselves. Thus those who <i>serve not our Lord
Christ,</i> but oppose him, are commonly such as <i>serve their own
belly</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.16.18" parsed="|Rom|16|18|0|0" passage="Ro 16:18">Rom. xvi. 18</scripRef>)
and made <i>a god of it,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.19" parsed="|Phil|3|19|0|0" passage="Php 3:19">Phil.
iii. 19</scripRef>. Their long feast intimates likewise that they
were very secure and confident of their interest, else they would
not have lost so much time. The old world and Sodom were <i>eating
and drinking,</i> secure and sensual, when their destruction came,
<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.17.26-Luke.17.29" parsed="|Luke|17|26|17|29" passage="Lu 17:26-29">Luke xvii. 26</scripRef>, &amp;c.
When <i>they made an end of eating,</i> and were preparing
themselves to proclaim their king, and bring him in triumph into
the city, they <i>heard the sound of the trumpet</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.41" parsed="|1Kgs|1|41|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>), and a <i>dreadful
sound it was in their ears,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.15.21" parsed="|Job|15|21|0|0" passage="Job 15:21">Job
xv. 21</scripRef>. Joab was an old man, and was alarmed at it,
apprehending the city to be in an uproar; but Adonijah was very
confident that the messenger, being a <i>worthy man, brought good
tidings,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.42" parsed="|1Kgs|1|42|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>.
Usurpers flatter themselves with the hopes of success, and those
are commonly least timorous whose condition is most dangerous. But
how can those who do evil deeds expect to have good tidings? No,
the worthiest man will bring them the worst news, as the priest's
son did here to Adonijah, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.43" parsed="|1Kgs|1|43|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:43"><i>v.</i>
43</scripRef>. "<i>Verily,</i> the best tidings I have to bring you
is that <i>Solomon is made king,</i> so that your pretensions are
all quashed." He relates to them very particularly, 1. With what
great solemnity <i>Solomon was made king</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.44-1Kgs.1.45" parsed="|1Kgs|1|44|1|45" passage="1Ki 1:44,45"><i>v.</i> 44, 45</scripRef>), and that he was now
<i>sitting on the throne of the kingdom,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.9" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.46" parsed="|1Kgs|1|46|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>. Adonijah thought to have
stepped into the throne before him, but Solomon was too quick for
him. 2. With what general satisfaction Solomon was made king, so
that that which was done was not likely to be undone again. (1.)
The people were pleased, witness their joyful acclamations,
<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.10" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.45" parsed="|1Kgs|1|45|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:45"><i>v.</i> 45</scripRef>. (2.) The
courtiers were pleased: <i>The kings servants</i> attended him with
an address of congratulation upon this occasion, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.11" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.47" parsed="|1Kgs|1|47|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>. We have here the heads of their
address: They <i>blessed king David,</i> applauded his prudent care
for the public welfare, acknowledged their happiness under his
government, and prayed heartily for his recovery. They also prayed
for Solomon, that God would make his name better than his father's,
which it might well be when he had his father's foundation to build
upon. A child, on a giant's shoulders, is higher than the giant
himself. (3.) The king himself was pleased: He <i>bowed himself
upon the bed,</i> not only to signify his acceptance of his
servants' address, but to offer up his own address to God
(<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p22.12" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.48" parsed="|1Kgs|1|48|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>): "<i>Blessed
be the Lord God of Israel,</i> who, as Israel's God, for Israel's
good, has brought this matter to such a happy issue, <i>my eyes
even seeing it.</i>" Note, It is a great satisfaction to good men,
when they are going out of the world, to see the affairs of their
families in a good posture, their children rising up in their stead
to serve God and their generation, and especially to see peace upon
Israel and the establishment of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p23">II. The effectual crush which this gave to
Adonijah's attempt. It spoiled the sport of his party, dispersed
the company, and obliged every man to shift for his own safety.
<i>The triumphing of the wicked is short.</i> They were building a
castle in the air, which, having no foundation, would soon fall and
crush them. They were afraid of being taken in the fact, while they
were together hatching their treason, and therefore each one made
the best of his way.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p24">III. The terror Adonijah himself was in,
and the course he took to secure himself. He was now as much
depressed as he had been elevated, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.42 Bible:1Kgs.1.50" parsed="|1Kgs|1|42|0|0;|1Kgs|1|50|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:42,50"><i>v.</i> 42, 50</scripRef>. He had despised Solomon
as not worthy to be his guest (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.10" parsed="|1Kgs|1|10|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), but now he dreads him as his
judge: He <i>feared because of Solomon.</i> Thus those who oppose
Christ and his kingdom will shortly be made to tremble before him,
and call in vain to rocks and mountains to shelter them from his
wrath. He <i>took hold on the horns of the altar,</i> which was
always looked upon as a sanctuary, or place of refuge (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.21.14" parsed="|Exod|21|14|0|0" passage="Ex 21:14">Exod. xxi. 14</scripRef>), intimating hereby
that he durst not stand a trial, but threw himself upon the mercy
of his prince, in suing for which he relied upon no other plea than
the mercy of God, which was manifested in the institution and
acceptance of the sacrifices that were offered on that altar and
the remission of sin thereupon. Perhaps Adonijah had formerly
slighted the service of the altar, yet now he courts the protection
of it. Many who in the day of their security neglect the great
salvation, under the arrests of the terrors of the Lord would
gladly be beholden to Christ and his merit, and, when it is too
late, will <i>catch hold of the horns of the altar.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p25">IV. His humble address to Solomon for
mercy. By those who brought Solomon tidings where he was, he sent a
request for his life (<scripRef id="iKi.ii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.51" parsed="|1Kgs|1|51|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:51"><i>v.</i>
51</scripRef>): <i>Let king Solomon swear to me that he will not
slay his servant.</i> He owns Solomon for his prince, and himself
his servant, dares not justify himself, but <i>makes supplication
to his judge.</i> It was a great change with him. He that in the
morning was grasping at a crown is before night begging for his
life. Then Adonijah reigned, now Adonijah trembles, and cannot
think himself safe unless Solomon promise, with an oath, not to put
him to death.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.ii-p26">V. The orders Solomon gave concerning him.
He discharges him upon his good behaviour, <scripRef id="iKi.ii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.52-1Kgs.1.53" parsed="|1Kgs|1|52|1|53" passage="1Ki 1:52,53"><i>v.</i> 52, 53</scripRef>. He considered that
Adonijah was his brother, and that it was the first offence.
Perhaps, being so soon made sensible of his error and then not
persisting in his rebellion, he might prove not only a peaceable,
but a serviceable subject, and therefore, if he will conduct
himself well for the future, what is past shall be pardoned: but if
he be fond disaffected, turbulent, and aspiring, this offence shall
be remembered against him, he shall be called up upon his former
conviction (as our law speaks), and execution shall be awarded
against him. Thus the Son of David receives those to mercy that
have been rebellious: if they will return to their allegiance, and
be faithful to their Sovereign, their former crimes shall not be
mentioned against them; but, if still they continue in the
interests of the world and the flesh, this will be their ruin.
Adonijah is sent for, and told upon what terms he stands, which he
signifies his grateful submission to, and then is told to go to his
house and live retired there. Solomon not only gave him his life,
but his estate, thus <i>establishing his throne by mercy.</i></p>
</div></div2>