1 Now king H4428 David H1732 was old H2204 and stricken H935 in years; H3117 and they covered H3680 him with clothes, H899 but he gat no heat. H3179
2 Wherefore his servants H5650 said H559 unto him, Let there be sought H1245 for my lord H113 the king H4428 a young H5291 virgin: H1330 and let her stand H5975 before H6440 the king, H4428 and let her cherish H5532 him, and let her lie H7901 in thy bosom, H2436 that my lord H113 the king H4428 may get heat. H2552
3 So they sought H1245 for a fair H3303 damsel H5291 throughout all the coasts H1366 of Israel, H3478 and found H4672 Abishag H49 a Shunammite, H7767 and brought H935 her to the king. H4428
4 And the damsel H5291 was very H3966 fair, H3303 and cherished H5532 the king, H4428 and ministered H8334 to him: but the king H4428 knew H3045 her not.
5 Then Adonijah H138 the son H1121 of Haggith H2294 exalted H4984 himself, saying, H559 I will be king: H4427 and he prepared H6213 him chariots H7393 and horsemen, H6571 and fifty H2572 men H376 to run H7323 before H6440 him.
6 And his father H1 had not displeased H6087 him at any time H3117 in saying, H559 Why hast thou done so? H6213 and he also was a very H3966 goodly H2896 H8389 man; and his mother bare H3205 him after H310 Absalom. H53
7 And he conferred H1697 with Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah, H6870 and with Abiathar H54 the priest: H3548 and they following H310 Adonijah H138 helped H5826 him.
8 But Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548 and Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 and Nathan H5416 the prophet, H5030 and Shimei, H8096 and Rei, H7472 and the mighty men H1368 which belonged to David, H1732 were not with Adonijah. H138
9 And Adonijah H138 slew H2076 sheep H6629 and oxen H1241 and fat cattle H4806 by the stone H68 of Zoheleth, H2120 which is by H681 Enrogel, H5883 and called H7121 all his brethren H251 the king's H4428 sons, H1121 and all the men H582 of Judah H3063 the king's H4428 servants: H5650
10 But Nathan H5416 the prophet, H5030 and Benaiah, H1141 and the mighty men, H1368 and Solomon H8010 his brother, H251 he called H7121 not.
11 Wherefore Nathan H5416 spake H559 unto Bathsheba H1339 the mother H517 of Solomon, H8010 saying, H559 Hast thou not heard H8085 that Adonijah H138 the son H1121 of Haggith H2294 doth reign, H4427 and David H1732 our lord H113 knoweth H3045 it not?
12 Now therefore come, H3212 let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, H3289 H6098 that thou mayest save H4422 thine own life, H5315 and the life H5315 of thy son H1121 Solomon. H8010
13 Go H3212 and get thee in H935 unto king H4428 David, H1732 and say H559 unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, H113 O king, H4428 swear H7650 unto thine handmaid, H519 saying, H559 Assuredly H3588 Solomon H8010 thy son H1121 shall reign H4427 after H310 me, and he shall sit H3427 upon my throne? H3678 why then doth Adonijah H138 reign? H4427
14 Behold, while thou yet talkest H1696 there with the king, H4428 I also will come in H935 after H310 thee, and confirm H4390 thy words. H1697
15 And Bathsheba H1339 went in H935 unto the king H4428 into the chamber: H2315 and the king H4428 was very H3966 old; H2204 and Abishag H49 the Shunammite H7767 ministered H8334 unto the king. H4428
16 And Bathsheba H1339 bowed, H6915 and did obeisance H7812 unto the king. H4428 And the king H4428 said, H559 What wouldest thou?
17 And she said H559 unto him, My lord, H113 thou swarest H7650 by the LORD H3068 thy God H430 unto thine handmaid, H519 saying, Assuredly Solomon H8010 thy son H1121 shall reign H4427 after H310 me, and he shall sit H3427 upon my throne. H3678
18 And now, behold, Adonijah H138 reigneth; H4427 and now, my lord H113 the king, H4428 thou knowest H3045 it not:
19 And he hath slain H2076 oxen H7794 and fat cattle H4806 and sheep H6629 in abundance, H7230 and hath called H7121 all the sons H1121 of the king, H4428 and Abiathar H54 the priest, H3548 and Joab H3097 the captain H8269 of the host: H6635 but Solomon H8010 thy servant H5650 hath he not called. H7121
20 And thou, my lord, H113 O king, H4428 the eyes H5869 of all Israel H3478 are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell H5046 them who shall sit H3427 on the throne H3678 of my lord H113 the king H4428 after H310 him.
21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord H113 the king H4428 shall sleep H7901 with his fathers, H1 that I and my son H1121 Solomon H8010 shall be counted offenders. H2400
22 And, lo, while she yet talked H1696 with the king, H4428 Nathan H5416 the prophet H5030 also came in. H935
23 And they told H5046 the king, H4428 saying, H559 Behold Nathan H5416 the prophet. H5030 And when he was come in H935 before H6440 the king, H4428 he bowed H7812 himself before the king H4428 with his face H639 to the ground. H776
24 And Nathan H5416 said, H559 My lord, H113 O king, H4428 hast thou said, H559 Adonijah H138 shall reign H4427 after H310 me, and he shall sit H3427 upon my throne? H3678
25 For he is gone down H3381 this day, H3117 and hath slain H2076 oxen H7794 and fat cattle H4806 and sheep H6629 in abundance, H7230 and hath called H7121 all the king's H4428 sons, H1121 and the captains H8269 of the host, H6635 and Abiathar H54 the priest; H3548 and, behold, they eat H398 and drink H8354 before H6440 him, and say, H559 God save H2421 king H4428 Adonijah. H138
26 But me, even me thy servant, H5650 and Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548 and Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 and thy servant H5650 Solomon, H8010 hath he not called. H7121
27 Is this thing H1697 done H1961 by my lord H113 the king, H4428 and thou hast not shewed H3045 it unto thy servant, H5650 who should sit H3427 on the throne H3678 of my lord H113 the king H4428 after H310 him?
28 Then king H4428 David H1732 answered H6030 and said, H559 Call H7121 me Bathsheba. H1339 And she came H935 into the king's H4428 presence, H6440 and stood H5975 before H6440 the king. H4428
29 And the king H4428 sware, H7650 and said, H559 As the LORD H3068 liveth, H2416 that hath redeemed H6299 my soul H5315 out of all distress, H6869
30 Even as I sware H7650 unto thee by the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 Assuredly Solomon H8010 thy son H1121 shall reign H4427 after H310 me, and he shall sit H3427 upon my throne H3678 in my stead; even so will I certainly do H6213 this day. H3117
31 Then Bathsheba H1339 bowed H6915 with her face H639 to the earth, H776 and did reverence H7812 to the king, H4428 and said, H559 Let my lord H113 king H4428 David H1732 live H2421 for ever. H5769
32 And king H4428 David H1732 said, H559 Call H7121 me Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548 and Nathan H5416 the prophet, H5030 and Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada. H3077 And they came H935 before H6440 the king. H4428
33 The king H4428 also said H559 unto them, Take H3947 with you the servants H5650 of your lord, H113 and cause Solomon H8010 my son H1121 to ride H7392 upon mine own mule, H6506 and bring him down H3381 to Gihon: H1521
34 And let Zadok H6659 the priest H3548 and Nathan H5416 the prophet H5030 anoint H4886 him there king H4428 over Israel: H3478 and blow H8628 ye with the trumpet, H7782 and say, H559 God save H2421 king H4428 Solomon. H8010
35 Then ye shall come up H5927 after H310 him, that he may come H935 and sit H3427 upon my throne; H3678 for he shall be king H4427 in my stead: and I have appointed H6680 him to be ruler H5057 over Israel H3478 and over Judah. H3063
36 And Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada H3077 answered H6030 the king, H4428 and said, H559 Amen: H543 the LORD H3068 God H430 of my lord H113 the king H4428 say H559 so too.
37 As the LORD H3068 hath been with my lord H113 the king, H4428 even so be he with Solomon, H8010 and make H1431 his throne H3678 greater H1431 than the throne H3678 of my lord H113 king H4428 David. H1732
38 So Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548 and Nathan H5416 the prophet, H5030 and Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 and the Cherethites, H3774 and the Pelethites, H6432 went down, H3381 and caused Solomon H8010 to ride H7392 upon king H4428 David's H1732 mule, H6506 and brought H3212 him to Gihon. H1521
39 And Zadok H6659 the priest H3548 took H3947 an horn H7161 of oil H8081 out of the tabernacle, H168 and anointed H4886 Solomon. H8010 And they blew H8628 the trumpet; H7782 and all the people H5971 said, H559 God save H2421 king H4428 Solomon. H8010
40 And all the people H5971 came up H5927 after H310 him, and the people H5971 piped H2490 with pipes, H2485 and rejoiced H8056 with great H1419 joy, H8057 so that the earth H776 rent H1234 with the sound H6963 of them.
41 And Adonijah H138 and all the guests H7121 that were with him heard H8085 it as they had made an end H3615 of eating. H398 And when Joab H3097 heard H8085 the sound H6963 of the trumpet, H7782 he said, H559 Wherefore is this noise H6963 of the city H7151 being in an uproar? H1993
42 And while he yet spake, H1696 behold, Jonathan H3129 the son H1121 of Abiathar H54 the priest H3548 came: H935 and Adonijah H138 said H559 unto him, Come in; H935 for thou art a valiant H2428 man, H376 H381 and bringest H1319 good H2896 tidings. H1319
43 And Jonathan H3129 answered H6030 and said H559 to Adonijah, H138 Verily H61 our lord H113 king H4428 David H1732 hath made Solomon H8010 king. H4427
44 And the king H4428 hath sent H7971 with him Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548 and Nathan H5416 the prophet, H5030 and Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 and the Cherethites, H3774 and the Pelethites, H6432 and they have caused him to ride H7392 upon the king's H4428 mule: H6506
45 And Zadok H6659 the priest H3548 and Nathan H5416 the prophet H5030 have anointed H4886 him king H4428 in Gihon: H1521 and they are come up H5927 from thence rejoicing, H8056 so that the city H7151 rang again. H1949 This is the noise H6963 that ye have heard. H8085
46 And also Solomon H8010 sitteth H3427 on the throne H3678 of the kingdom. H4410
47 And moreover the king's H4428 servants H5650 came H935 to bless H1288 our lord H113 king H4428 David, H1732 saying, H559 God H430 make the name H8034 of Solomon H8010 better H3190 than thy name, H8034 and make H1431 his throne H3678 greater H1431 than thy throne. H3678 And the king H4428 bowed H7812 himself upon the bed. H4904
48 And also thus said H559 the king, H4428 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 which hath given H5414 one to sit H3427 on my throne H3678 this day, H3117 mine eyes H5869 even seeing H7200 it.
49 And all the guests H7121 that were with Adonijah H138 were afraid, H2729 and rose up, H6965 and went H3212 every man H376 his way. H1870
50 And Adonijah H138 feared H3372 because H6440 of Solomon, H8010 and arose, H6965 and went, H3212 and caught hold H2388 on the horns H7161 of the altar. H4196
51 And it was told H5046 Solomon, H8010 saying, H559 Behold, Adonijah H138 feareth H3372 king H4428 Solomon: H8010 for, lo, he hath caught hold H270 on the horns H7161 of the altar, H4196 saying, H559 Let king H4428 Solomon H8010 swear H7650 unto me to day H3117 that he will not slay H4191 his servant H5650 with the sword. H2719
52 And Solomon H8010 said, H559 If he will shew himself a worthy H2428 man, H1121 there shall not an hair H8185 of him fall H5307 to the earth: H776 but if wickedness H7451 shall be found H4672 in him, he shall die. H4191
53 So king H4428 Solomon H8010 sent, H7971 and they brought him down H3381 from the altar. H4196 And he came H935 and bowed H7812 himself to king H4428 Solomon: H8010 and Solomon H8010 said H559 unto him, Go H3212 to thine house. H1004
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Kings 1
Commentary on 1 Kings 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 1
1Ki 1:1-4. Abishag Cherishes David in His Extreme Age.
1, 2. Now king David was old—He was in the seventieth year of his age (2Sa 5:4, 5). But the wear and tear of a military life, bodily fatigue, and mental care, had prematurely, if we may say it, exhausted the energies of David's strong constitution (1Sa 16:12). In modern Palestine and Egypt the people, owing to the heat of the climate, sleep each in a "separate" bed. They only depart from this practice for medical reasons (Ec 4:11). The expedient recommended by David's physicians is the regimen still prescribed in similar cases in the East, particularly among the Arab population, not simply to give heat, but "to cherish," as they are aware that the inhalation of young breath will give new life and vigor to the worn-out frame. The fact of the health of the young and healthier person being, as it were, stolen to support that of the more aged and sickly is well established among the medical faculty. And hence the prescription for the aged king was made in a hygienic point of view for the prolongation of his valuable life, and not merely for the comfort to be derived from the natural warmth imparted to his withered frame [Porter, Tent and Khan]. The polygamy of the age and country may account for the introduction of this practice; and it is evident that Abishag was made a concubine or secondary wife to David (see on 1Ki 2:22).
3. a Shunammite—Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar (Jos 19:18), lay on an eminence in the plain of Esdraelon, five miles south of Tabor. It is now called Sulam.
1Ki 1:5-31. Adonijah Usurps the Kingdom.
5, 6. Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself—Nothing is said as to the origin or rank of Haggith, so that it is probable she was not distinguished by family descent. Adonijah, though David's fourth son (2Sa 3:4; 1Ch 3:2), was now the oldest alive; and his personal attractions and manners (1Sa 9:2) not only recommended him to the leading men about court, but made him the favorite of his father, who, though seeing him assume an equipage becoming only the heir-presumptive to the throne (2Sa 15:1), said nothing; and his silence was considered by many, as well as by Adonijah, to be equivalent to an expression of consent. The sinking health of the king prompted him to take a decisive step in furtherance of his ambitious designs.
7. he conferred with Joab—The anxiety of Adonijah to secure the influence of a leader so bold, enterprising, and popular with the army was natural, and the accession of the hoary commander is easily accounted for from his recent grudge at the king (see on 2Sa 19:13).
and with Abiathar the priest—His influence was as great over the priests and Levites—a powerful body in the kingdom—as that of Joab over the troops. It might be that both of them thought the crown belonged to Adonijah by right of primogeniture, from his mature age and the general expectations of the people (1Ki 2:15).
8. But Zadok the priest—He had been high priest in the tabernacle at Gibeon under Saul (1Ch 16:39). David, on his accession, had conjoined him and Abiathar equal in the exercise of their high functions (2Sa 8:17; 15:24, 29, 35). But it is extremely probable that some cause of jealousy or discord between them had arisen, and hence each lent his countenance and support to opposite parties.
Benaiah—Distinguished for his bravery (1Sa 23:20), he had been appointed captain of the king's bodyguard (2Sa 8:18; 20:23; 1Ch 18:17), and was regarded by Joab as a rival.
Nathan the prophet—He was held in high estimation by David, and stood on the most intimate relations with the royal family (2Sa 12:25).
Shimei—probably the person of this name who was afterwards enrolled among Solomon's great officers (1Ki 4:18).
Rei—supposed to be the same as Ira (2Sa 20:26).
and the mighty men—the select band of worthies.
9, 10. En-rogel—situated (Jos 15:7-10) east of Jerusalem, in a level place, just below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. It is a very deep well, measuring one hundred twenty-five feet in depth; the water is sweet, but not very cold, and it is at times quite full to overflowing. The Orientals are fond of enjoying festive repasts in the open air at places which command the advantage of shade, water, and verdure; and those fetes champetres are not cold collations, but magnificent entertainments, the animals being killed and dressed on the spot. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was one of this Oriental description, and it was on a large scale (2Sa 3:4, 5; 5:14-16; 1Ch 14:1-7). At the accession of a new king there were sacrifices offered (1Sa 11:15). But on such an occasion it was no less customary to entertain the grandees of the kingdom and even the populace in a public manner (1Ch 12:23-40). There is the strongest probability that Adonijah's feast was purely political, to court popularity and secure a party to support his claim to the crown.
11-27. Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba … let me … give thee counsel, &c.—The revolt was defeated by this prophet, who, knowing the Lord's will (2Sa 7:12; 1Ch 22:9), felt himself bound, in accordance with his character and office, to take the lead in seeing it executed. Hitherto the succession of the Hebrew monarchy had not been settled. The Lord had reserved to Himself the right of nomination (De 17:15), which was acted upon in the appointments both of Saul and David; and in the case of the latter the rule was so far modified that his posterity were guaranteed the perpetual possession of the sovereignty (2Sa 7:12). This divine purpose was known throughout the kingdom; but no intimation had been made as to whether the right of inheritance was to belong to the oldest son. Adonijah, in common with the people generally, expected that this natural arrangement should be followed in the Hebrew kingdom as in all others. Nathan, who was aware of the old king's solemn promise to Solomon, and, moreover, that this promise was sanctioned by the divine will, saw that no time was to be lost. Fearing the effects of too sudden excitement in the king's feeble state, he arranged that Bath-sheba should go first to inform him of what was being transacted without the walls, and that he himself should follow to confirm her statement. The narrative here not only exhibits the vivid picture of a scene within the interior of a palace, but gives the impression that a great deal of Oriental state ceremonial had been established in the Hebrew court.
20. the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne—When the kings died without declaring their will, then their oldest son succeeded. But frequently they designated long before their death which of their sons should inherit the throne. The kings of Persia, as well as of other Eastern countries, have exercised the same right in modern and even recent times.
21. I and my son … shall be counted offenders—that is, slain, according to the barbarous usage of the East towards all who are rivals to the throne.
28-31. Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba—He renews to her the solemn pledge he had given, in terms of solemnity and impressiveness which show that the aged monarch had roused himself to the duty the emergency called for.
1Ki 1:32-49. Solomon, by David's Appointment, Is Anointed King.
33. cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule—Directions were forthwith given for the immediate coronation of Solomon. A procession was to be formed by the "servants of their lord"—that is, the king's bodyguard. Mules were then used by all the princes (2Sa 13:29); but there was a state mule of which all subjects were forbidden, under pain of death, to make use, without special permission; so that its being granted to Solomon was a public declaration in his favor as the future king (see on Es 6:8, 9).
bring him down to Gihon—a pool or fountain on the west of Jerusalem (see on 2Ch 32:30), chosen as equally public for the counter proclamation.
34. anoint him—done only in the case of a new dynasty or disputed succession (see on 1Sa 16:13; 2Sa 2:1).
35. Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne—The public recognition of the successor to the throne, during the old king's lifetime, is accordant with the customs of the East.
39. an horn of oil out of the tabernacle—It was the sacred oil (Ex 30:25) with which the kings were anointed.
40. all the people came up after him—that is, from the valley to the citadel of Zion.
41-49. Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating—The loud shouts raised by the populace at the joyous proclamation at Gihon, and echoed by assembled thousands, from Zion to En-rogel, were easily heard at that distance by Adonijah and his confederates. The arrival of a trusty messenger, who gave a full detail of the coronation ceremony [1Ki 1:43-48], spread dismay in their camp. The wicked and ambitious plot they had assembled to execute was dissipated, and every one of the conspirators consulted his safety by flight.
1Ki 1:50-53. Adonijah, Fleeing to the Horns of the Altar, Is Dismissed by Solomon.
50-53. Adonijah … went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar—most probably the altar of burnt offering which had been erected on Mount Zion, where Abiathar, one of his partisans, presided as high priest. The horns or projections at the four corners of the altar, to which the sacrifices were bound, and which were tipped with the blood of the victim, were symbols of grace and salvation to the sinner. Hence the altar was regarded as a sanctuary (Ex 21:14), but not to murderers, rebels, or deliberate perpetrators. Adonijah, having acted in opposition to the will of the reigning king, was guilty of rebellion, and stood self-condemned. Solomon spared his life on the express condition of his good behavior—living in strict privacy, leading a quiet, peaceable life, and meddling with the affairs of neither the court nor the kingdom.
53. they brought him down from the altar—from the ledge around the altar on which he was standing.
he bowed himself—that is, did homage to Solomon as king.