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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T K I N G S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. I.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have,
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I. David declining in his health,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. Adonijah aspiring to the kingdom, and treating his party, in order
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to it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:5-10">ver. 5-10</A>.
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III. Nathan and Bathsheba contriving to secure the succession to
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Solomon, and prevailing for an order from David for the purpose,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:11-31">ver. 11-31</A>.
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IV. The anointing of Solomon accordingly, and the people's joy therein,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:32-40">ver. 32-40</A>.
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V. The effectual stop this put to Adonijah's usurpation, and the
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dispersion of his party thereupon,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:41-49">ver. 41-49</A>.
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VI. Solomon's dismission of Adonijah upon his good behaviour,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:50-53">ver. 50-53</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Introduction.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now king David was old <I>and</I> stricken in years; and they
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covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
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2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for
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my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the
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king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that
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my lord the king may get heat.
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3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of
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Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the
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king.
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4 And the damsel <I>was</I> very fair, and cherished the king, and
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ministered to him: but the king knew her not.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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David, as recorded in the foregoing chapter, had, by the great mercy of
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God, escaped the sword of the destroying angel. But our deliverances
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from or through diseases and dangers are but reprieves; if the candle
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be not blown out, it will burn out of itself. We have David here
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sinking under the infirmities of old age, and brought by them to the
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gates of the grave. He that <I>cometh up out of the pit shall fall into
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the snare;</I> and, one way or other, <I>we must needs die.</I>
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1. It would have troubled one to see David so infirm. He as old, and
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his natural heat so wasted that no clothes could keep him warm,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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David had been a valiant active man and a man of business, and very
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vehement had the flame always been in his breast; and yet now his blood
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is chilled and stagnated, he is confined to his bed, and there can get
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no heat. He was now seventy years old. Many, at that age, are as lively
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and fit for business as ever; but David was now chastised for his
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former sins, especially that in the matter of Uriah, and felt from his
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former toils and the hardships he had gone through in his youth, which
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then he made nothing of, but was now the worse for. <I>Let not the
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strong man glory in his strength,</I> which may soon be weakened by
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sickness, or at last will be weakened by old age. Let young people
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<I>remember their Creator in the days of their youth,</I> before these
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evil days come. What our hand finds to do for God, and our souls, and
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our generation, let us do with all our might, because the night comes,
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the night of old age, in which no man can work; and, when our strength
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has gone, it will be a comfort to remember that we used it well.
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2. It would have troubled one to see his physicians so weak and
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unskilful that they knew no other way of relieving him than by outward
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applications. No cordials, no spirits, but,
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(1.) <I>They covered him with clothes,</I> which, where there is any
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inward heat, will keep it in, and so increase it; but, where it is not,
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they have none to communicate, no, not royal clothing. Elihu makes it a
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difficulty to understand <I>how our garments are warm upon us</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+37:17">Job xxxvii. 17</A>);
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but, if God deny his blessing, men <I>clothe themselves, and there is
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none warm</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+1:6">Hag. i. 6</A>),
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David here was not.
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(2.) They foolishly prescribed nuptials to one that should rather have
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been preparing for his funeral
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:2-4"><I>v.</I> 2-4</A>);
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but they knew what would gratify their own corruptions, and perhaps
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were too willing to gratify his, under colour of consulting his health.
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His prophets should have been consulted as well as his physicians in an
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affair of this nature. However, this might be excused then, when even
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good men ignorantly allowed themselves to have many wives. We now have
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not so learned of Christ, but are taught that one man must have but one
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wife
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+19:5">Matt. xix. 5</A>),
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and further that <I>it is good for a man not to touch a woman,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+7:1">1 Cor. vii. 1</A>.
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That Abishag was married to David before she lay with him, and was his
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secondary wife, appears from its being imputed as a great crime to
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Adonijah that he desired to marry her
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+2:22"><I>ch.</I> ii. 22</A>)
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after his father's death.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Adonijah's Ambition.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I
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will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and
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fifty men to run before him.
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6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying,
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Why hast thou done so? and he also <I>was a</I> very goodly <I>man;</I> and
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<I>his mother</I> bare him after Absalom.
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7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with
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Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped <I>him.</I>
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8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and
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Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which
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<I>belonged</I> to David, were not with Adonijah.
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9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone
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of Zoheleth, which <I>is</I> by En-rogel, and called all his brethren
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the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:
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10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and
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Solomon his brother, he called not.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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David had much affliction in his children. Amnon and Absalom had both
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been his grief; the one his first-born, the other his third,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+3:2,3">2 Sam. iii. 2, 3</A>.
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His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose he had comfort in;
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his fourth was Adonijah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+3:4">2 Sam. iii. 4</A>);
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he was one of those that were born in Hebron; we have heard nothing of
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him till now, and here we are told that he was a comely person, and
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that he was next in age, and (as it proved) next in temper to Absalom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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And, further, that in his father's eyes he had been a jewel, but was
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now a thorn.</P>
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<P>
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I. His father had made a fondling of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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He had not displeased him at any time. It is not said that he never
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displeased his father; it is probably that he had done so frequently,
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and his father was secretly troubled at his misconduct and lamented it
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before God. But his father had not displeased him, by crossing him in
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his humours, denying him any thing he had a mind to, or by calling him
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to an account as to what he had done and where he had been, or by
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keeping him to his book or his business, or reproving him for what he
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saw or heard of that he did amiss; he never said to him, <I>Why hast
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thou done so?</I> because he saw it was uneasy to him, and he could not
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bear it without fretting. It was the son's fault that he was displeased
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at reproof and took it for affront, whereby he lost the benefit of it;
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and it was the father's fault that, because he saw it displeased him,
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he did not reprove him; and now he justly smarted for indulging him.
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Those who honour their sons more than God, as those do who keep them
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not under good discipline, thereby forfeit the honour they might expect
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from their sons.</P>
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<P>
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II. He, in return, made a fool of his father. Because he was old, and
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confined to his bed, he thought no notice was to be taken of him, and
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therefore <I>exalted himself,</I> and said, <I>I will be king,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Children that are indulged learn to be proud and ambitious, which is
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the ruin of a great many young people. The way to keep them humble is
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to keep them under. Observe Adonijah's insolence.
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1. He looked upon the days of mourning for his father to be at hand,
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and therefore he prepared to succeed him, though he knew that by the
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designation both of God and David Solomon was to be the man; for public
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notice had been given of it by David himself, and the succession
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settled, as it were by act of parliament, in pursuance of God's
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appointment,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+22:9,23:1">1 Chron. xxii. 9; xxiii. 1</A>.
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This entail Adonijah attempted by force to cut off, in contempt both of
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God and his father. Thus is the kingdom of Christ opposed, and there
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are those that say, "We will not have him to reign over us."
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2. He looked upon his father as superannuated and good for nothing, and
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therefore he entered immediately upon the possession of the throne. He
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cannot wait till his father's head be laid low, but it must now be
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said, <I>Adonijah reigns</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
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and, <I>God save king Adonijah,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
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His father is not fit to govern, for he is old and past ruling, nor
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Solomon, for he is young, and not yet able to rule; and therefore
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Adonijah will take the government upon him. It argues a very base and
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wicked mind for children to insult over their parents because of the
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infirmities of their age.
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3. In pursuance of this ambitious project,
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(1.) He got a great retinue
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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<I>chariots and horsemen,</I> both for state and strength, to wait on
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him, and to fight for him.
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(2.) He made great interest with no less than Joab, the general of the
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army, and Abiathar the high priest,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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That he should make his court to those who by their influence in church
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and camp were capable of doing him great service is not strange; but we
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may well wonder by what arts they could be drawn to follow him and help
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him. They were old men, who had been faithful to David in the most
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difficult and troublesome of his times, men of sense and experience,
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who, one would think, would not easily be wheedled. They could not
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propose any advantage to themselves by supporting Adonijah, for they
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were both at the top of their preferment and stood fast in it. They
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could not be ignorant of the entail of the crown upon Solomon, which it
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was not in their power to cut off, and therefore it was their interest
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to oblige him. But God, in this matter, left them to themselves,
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perhaps to correct them for some former misconduct with a scourge of
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their own making. We are told
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>)
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who those were that were of such approved fidelity to David that
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Adonijah had not the confidence so much as to propose his project to
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them--Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan. A man that has given proofs of his
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resolute adherence to that which is good shall not be asked to do a bad
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thing.
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(3.) He prepared a great entertainment
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>)
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at En-rogel, not far from Jerusalem; his guests were the king's sons,
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and the king's servants, whom he feasted and caressed to bring them
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over to his party; but Solomon was not invited, either because he
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despised him or because he despaired of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Such as serve their own belly, and will be in the interest of those
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that will feast them what side soever they are of, are an easy prey to
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seducers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:18">Rom. xvi. 18</A>.
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Some think that Adonijah slew these sheep and oxen, even fat ones, for
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sacrifice, and that it was a religious feast he made, beginning his
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usurpation with a show of devotion, as Absalom under the colour of a
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vow
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+15:7">2 Sam. xv. 7</A>),
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which he might do the more plausibly when he had the high priest
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himself on his side. It is a pity that any occasion should ever be
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given to say, <I>In nomine Domini incipit omne malam--In the name of
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the Lord begins all evil,</I> and that all religious exercises should
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be made to patronise all religious practices.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki1_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Makes Solomon King.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
|
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
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</TABLE>
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<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon,
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saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth
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reign, and David our lord knoweth <I>it</I> not?
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12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel,
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that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son
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Solomon.
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|
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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> liveth, that
|
|
hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
|
|
30 Even as I sware unto thee by the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+127:1,2">Ps. cxxvii. 1, 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
How then is the design brought about?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+12:25">2 Sam. xii. 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+4:32">Dan. iv. 32</A>)
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:11">Rev. iii. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
but that we <I>save our lives,</I> even the lives of our souls. He
|
|
directs her
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>)
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+25:32,33">1 Sam. xxv. 32, 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
or, at least, it would help to awaken him so much the more.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Bathsheba took no displeasure either at him or her for it, also
|
|
that she <I>bowed and did obeisance to the king</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
"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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:1,2">2 Sam. xxiii. 1, 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
"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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:25,26"><I>v.</I> 25, 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
and again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
"<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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+4:9">2 Sam. iv. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+48:16">Gen. xlviii. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
thus setting to his seal, from his own experience, that that was true
|
|
which the Spirit of the Lord spoke by him.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+34:22">Ps. xxxiv. 22</A>,
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
V. Bathsheba receives these assurances
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_40"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Solomon Declared Successor.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of my lord the king say so <I>too.</I>
|
|
37 As the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:33-35"><I>v.</I> 33 and <I>v.</I> 34, 35</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:9,Ps+89:20">Heb. i. 9; Ps. lxxxix. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
And all Christians, being <I>heirs of the kingdom</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:5">Jam. ii. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
do from him <I>receive the anointing,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:27">1 John ii. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:15">Ps. lxxii. 15</A>,
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
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>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
III. The immediate execution of these orders,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:38-40"><I>v.</I> 38-40</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:6,7">Ps. ii. 6, 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:20">1 John ii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_49"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_50"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_51"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_52"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki1_53"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Solomon Proclaimed.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:18">Rom. xvi. 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
and made <I>a god of it,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:19">Phil. iii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+17:26-29">Luke xvii. 26</A>,
|
|
|
|
&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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>),
|
|
|
|
and a <I>dreadful sound it was in their ears,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+15:21">Job xv. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>.
|
|
|
|
"<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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:44,45"><I>v.</I> 44, 45</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that he was now <I>sitting on the throne of the kingdom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The courtiers were pleased: <I>The kings servants</I> attended him
|
|
with an address of congratulation upon this occasion,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:48"><I>v.</I> 48</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:42,50"><I>v.</I> 42, 50</A>.
|
|
|
|
He had despised Solomon as not worthy to be his guest
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+21:14">Exod. xxi. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
IV. His humble address to Solomon for mercy. By those who brought
|
|
Solomon tidings where he was, he sent a request for his life
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
V. The orders Solomon gave concerning him. He discharges him upon his
|
|
good behaviour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:52,53"><I>v.</I> 52, 53</A>.
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He considered that Adonijah was his brother, and that it was the first
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offence. Perhaps, being so soon made sensible of his error and then not
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persisting in his rebellion, he might prove not only a peaceable, but a
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serviceable subject, and therefore, if he will conduct himself well for
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the future, what is past shall be pardoned: but if he be fond
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disaffected, turbulent, and aspiring, this offence shall be remembered
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against him, he shall be called up upon his former conviction (as our
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law speaks), and execution shall be awarded against him. Thus the Son
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of David receives those to mercy that have been rebellious: if they
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will return to their allegiance, and be faithful to their Sovereign,
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their former crimes shall not be mentioned against them; but, if still
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they continue in the interests of the world and the flesh, this will be
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their ruin. Adonijah is sent for, and told upon what terms he stands,
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which he signifies his grateful submission to, and then is told to go
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to his house and live retired there. Solomon not only gave him his
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life, but his estate, thus <I>establishing his throne by mercy.</I></P>
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