1David chargeth Solomon to serve God, and directeth him how to deal with Joab, the sons of Barzillai, and Shimei. 10David's death; the years of his reign. 12Solomon succeedeth him. 13Adonijah, having persuaded Bathsheba to ask for him Abishag to wife, is put to death by Solomon's command. 26Abiathar hath his life spared, but is removed from the priesthood. 28Joab, having fled to the horns of the altar, is there slain. 35Benaiah is put in Joab's place, and Zadok in Abiathar's. 36Shimei is confined to Jerusalem; but going to Gath in defiance of the king's orders is put to death.
1NOW the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
21I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and 2shew thyself a man;
1 This phrase is also found, Joshua 23:14, and signifies the departure of man out of this world by bodily death, which none can escape, Heb. 9:27.
2 Hebr. to a man, that is, although thou art yet but young, 1 Chron. 22:5, nevertheless labor to get the virtues of a man, consisting mostly in wisdom and understanding, a courageous mind, and steadfastness.
3And 3keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his 4statutes, and his commandments, and his 5judgments, and his testimonies, asa it is written in the law of Moses, thatb thou mayest 6prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
3 This phrase is elsewhere used of the service of the tabernacle, as Lev. 8:35; Num. 3:7, but here and in some other places of the civil duties, which princes and other governors were to mind and observe, according to the order prescribed them by God. See Joshua 22:3; 2 Kings 11:5. But the word charge is also translated command, signifying in general all that the Lord has prescribed us, either to do, or to omit. See Gen. 26 on verse 5.
4 These three first words are thus distinguished, that the first is taken for the ceremonial, the second for the moral, the third for the judicial, or civil laws. See Gen. 26 on verse 5; Deut. 5 on verse 31.
5 Understand the doctrine of salvation, which perfectly testifies of God’s will toward us, and of our bounden duty toward Him. See Deut. 4 on verse 45.
a Deut. 17:18.
b Deut. 29:9; Joshua 1:7.
6 Or, make all prosper, etc. See this phrase, Deut. 29:9.
4That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying,c If thy children take heed to their 7way, to walk 8before me in truth with 9all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail 10thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
c 2 Sam. 7:12; Psalm 132:12.
7 That is, order themselves in affections, purposes, words and works, according to My will. Also 1 Kings 8:25; 2 Kings 20:3; 2 Chron. 6:16. Moses calls this the keeping of the soul, Deut. 4:9.
8 That is, to live uprightly, as in the presence of God, (Who knows the heart) according to all the commandments: see 2 Kings 20:3; 2 Chron. 6:16.
9 That is, to obey God uprightly, and without dissembling, not according to some, but according to all His commandments, which obedience He regards, not in its own nature, according to which it is here yet defective and wanting, but according to His grace in Christ, in Whom it is perfect, Col. 2:10.
10 The meaning is: that none of his posterity would fail to govern; namely, until the Messiah shall come, Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting.
5Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to 11me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abnerd the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the 12blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war 13upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his 14shoes that were on his feet.
11 Namely, being ever most proud and spiteful against me, because he was very gracious with the soldiers. See 2 Sam. 3:39 and 2 Samuel 19.
d 2 Sam. 3:27; 20:10.
12 Hebr. set bloods of war, that is, committed murders. It is now called the blood of war, which is shed in war; but Joab had shed blood in time of peace.
13 Namely, putting up his bloody sword into the scabbard, after that he had murdered those two men.
14 On which fell some of the blood of the men who were stabbed.
6Do therefore 15according to thy wisdom, and let not 16his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
15 Namely, according to which thou shalt surely find occasion to punish him, he being a man inclined to novelties and commotions.
16 Hebr. his hoariness or grayness, that is, his old age. The meaning is: that Solomon should not let Joab die his natural death, but cause him to suffer a violent one. See the exposition on verse 9 and compare Gen. 42:38; 44:29, 31.
7But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillaie the Gileadite, and let them be 17of those that eat at thy table: for so they 18came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.
e 2 Sam. 17:27; 19:31.
17 Hebr. among thy table-eaters, that is, who eat from the food of your table.
18 Namely, bringing to me and setting before me all manner of provision, which I indeed lacked in a dry and desert place. See 2 Sam. 17:27, 28, 29.
8And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, 19a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursedf me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to 20Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I 21sware to him by the LORD, saying, 22I will not put thee to death with the sword.
19 Or, the son of Jemini. Other, a Benjamite: see Judges 19 on verse 16; 2 Sam. 16 on verse 11.
f 2 Sam. 16:5; 19:19.
20 A city situated beyond Jordan in the land of Gilead, in the tribe of Gad, by the brook Jabbok. Why it was so called, see Gen. 32 on verse 2.
21 See 2 Sam. 19:23.
22 Hebr. If I slay thee with the sword, let God punish me or do this or that unto me. For the Hebrews in making an oath are wont to conceal the punishment. See Gen. 14 on verse 23.
9Now therefore hold him 23not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest 24what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.
23 That is, let him not go unpunished. Also Exod. 20:7; 34:7; Job 9:28.
24 Namely, according to the wisdom which the Lord hath given thee, leaving to him the manner how thou shalt put him to death. Compare verse 6.
10So David 25slept with his fathers, andg was buried in the 26city of David.
25 Hebr. deceased. See 1 Kings 1 on verse 21; Deut. 31 on verse 16.
g Acts 2:29; 13:36.
26 Understand the stronghold where David’s house was. Also 1 Kings 3:1. See 2 Sam. 5:7; 1 Chron. 11:5; 2 Chron. 5:2.
11And the 27days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: sevenh years reigned he in 28Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
27 That is, the time.
h 1 Chron. 29:27.
28 The name of a city; of which see Gen. 23 on verse 2.
12¶Theni sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
i 1 Chron. 29:23; 2 Chron. 1:1.
13¶And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, 29Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.
29 Hebr. Is thy coming peace? Also 1 Sam. 16:4. She speaks out of fear, that he would raise some trouble, because he had aspired after the kingdom. It is as much as if she had said: Does your coming tend to the welfare of the kingdom, and of the commonwealth? What peace signifies with the Hebrews, see Gen. 37 on verse 14.
14He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
15And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was 30mine, and that all Israel set 31their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother’s: 32forj it was his from the LORD.
30 Namely, because I am the eldest of my father’s sons. See 1 Kings 1 on verse 5.
31 That is, had cast their eyes on me, expecting that the kingdom would be mine, and wishing the same with all their heart. Compare Jer. 42:15 with the annotation.
32 He feigns as if he wished with all his heart that the kingdom be to Solomon, his brother, taking God’s name in vain to this end, and very cunningly hiding his sinister intent and design, which was by means of the Shunammite to obtain followers, and so to draw the kingdom to himself: which king Solomon straightway perceived; as appears by verse 22.
j 1 Chron. 22:9; 28:5.
16And now I ask one petition of thee, 33deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.
33 Or, refuse not my face; that is, reject not my petition; also verses 17, 20; 2 Chron. 6:42; Psalm 132:10. Contrary to this phrase, to accept a man’s face. See Gen. 19 on verse 21.
17And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.
18And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.
19¶Bath-sheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the 34king’s mother; and 35she sat on his right hand.
34 That is, for his mother. It is an Hebrew phrase. Also 1 Kings 8:1; 9:1; 11:9. Compare Gen. 5:1.
35 Being thus honored with equal dignity and respect as her son, and that according to the practice of the great lords, who are wont to place them on their right hand, to whom they will give equal honor with themselves or the next honor to themselves. Compare Mat. 20:21.
20Then she said, I desire one 36small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.
36 Namely, small in her opinion, but not in the king’s judgment; as appears by his answer.
21And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.
22And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? 37ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine 38elder brother; even for him, and for 39Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.
37 Solomon perceived to where Adonijah’s petition tended, namely, to a new tumult and commotion, by means of the desired marriage to attain the better to the crown. Hence those who aspired to be great have frequently used this course. See 2 Sam. 3:7; 16:21.
38 Hebr. greater or bigger, namely, of age.
39 Who were attached to Adonijah, doubtless they might continue in their offices and places, and be free from danger.
23Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own 40life.
40 Hebr. against his soul, that is, to the loss of his life. The word soul is oftentimes taken for life. See Gen. 19 on verse 17.
24Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, andk41set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me 42an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put 43to death this day.
k 2 Sam. 7:12, 13.
41 That is, caused me to reign as king. Also 2 Kings 10:3; 2 Chron. 23:20. Compare the annotation at 1 Kings 1 on verse 13.
42 That is, a family and court, according to the state and dignity of a king; for the word house signifies often the whole court, and the entire retinue of courtiers. See Gen. 34 on verse 19.
43 As having offended the royal majesty.
25And king Solomon 44sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he 45fell upon him that he died.
44 That is, sent Benaiah, commanding him to slay Adonijah with his own hand. See Gen. 12 on verse 15.
45 Namely, with a weapon, suitable to kill. Also likewise verses 31, 32, 34, 46. The 32nd verse speaks of two assaults which were done with the sword.
26¶And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to 46Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art 47worthy of death: but I will not 48at this time put thee to death, becausel thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
46 The name of a city belonging to the priests, situated in the tribe of Benjamin, where Abiathar, the priest and Jeremiah the prophet were born. See of this city, Joshua 21:18; Jer. 1:1.
47 That is, guilty of death, or who is worthy of death. Also 2 Sam. 12:5. Likewise, sons of death, 1 Sam. 26:16.
48 Which may be thus understood, that Solomon was for the present satisfied with inflicting a lesser punishment upon him than death; keeping him in the mean while still under the guilt of death, so that if in time to come he would commit the like offence again, he would be sure to die for it.
l 1 Sam. 22:20, etc.; 2 Sam. 15:24.
27So Solomon 49thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; 50that he might 51fulfilm52the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in 53Shiloh.
49 Not that Solomon properly deposed him from his priestly office, for he was already deposed in David’s life-time for his offence committed against the king’s majesty, when Zadok was anointed priest in his stead, 1 Chron. 29:22, but he has expelled him, that is, banished him to his own house at Anathoth; from which it must needs follow that he could not administer the office of priest at Jerusalem, being as it were dead by civil law.
50 Hebr. from being priest unto the Lord or of the Lord.
51 Which indeed was thus performed by Solomon, but by the secret over-ruling providence of God, which may be that Solomon did not think of at that time. See the fore-telling of this fulfillment, 1 Sam. 2:33 and compare Mat. 13:35; 27:9; John 12:38; 19:24, which places show that the prophecies of God are very often fulfilled by men without their knowledge.
m 1 Sam. 2:31, etc.
52 Namely, that the house of Eli, which descended from Ithamar, would be removed from the priesthood, and that another house would come into its place; which was fulfilled in Zadok, who descended from the family of Eleazar. See 1 Sam. 2:35 and compare Ezek. 44:15.
53 A city in the tribe of Ephraim, where the ark of the Lord was a long time, Joshua 18:1; Judges 21:19; Psalm 78:60.
28¶Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and 54caughtn hold on the horns of the altar.
54 See 1 Kings 1 on verse 50.
n 1 Kings 1:50.
29And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the 55tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
55 Which, together with the altar made in the wilderness by God’s appointment, Exod. 36:1, 2, 3, etc.; 38:1, etc., were at this time in Gibeon, 2 Chron. 1:3, 5.
30And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.
31And the king said unto him, Do as 56he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.
56 Namely, Joab, and understand this according to the law, Exod. 21:14.
32And the LORD shall return 57his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, 58my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
57 Namely, which he has shed unjustly. God returns the blood of another man upon a man’s own head, when He recompenses the death of another willfully procured by him, with his own death; either by Himself, Gen. 4:11, or by man, Gen. 9:6. Also below, verse 44; Judges 9:24, 57; 2 Sam. 16:8.
58 That is, my father not being privy thereunto before it was done, nor consenting thereunto after it was done. See 2 Sam. 3:28, 29 and above verse 5.
33Their 59blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed 60for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace 61for ever from the LORD.
59 Hebr. bloods. The word blood is put in the plural number, not only because Joab had murdered two men, but because this word being often so put, signifies the guilt and punishment of death which the murderers bring upon themselves, Exod. 22:2, 3; Psalm 51:14, although sometimes also in the singular number, Gen. 42:22.
60 That is, a long time, as long as Joab’s posterity shall continue. See 2 Sam. 3:29 and compare 1 Kings 1:31 with the annotation.
61 Understand, in respect of the outward welfare, a long time, as immediately before; and in respect of the spiritual prosperity in Christ, time without end.
34So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
35¶And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and 62Zadoko the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.
62 Who before, while David yet lived, was anointed with the general consent of the entire congregation. See 1 Chron. 29:22, which Solomon here approves and ratifies in deed.
o 1 Sam. 2:35.
36¶And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.
37For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook 63Kidron, 64thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt 65surely die: thy 66blood shall be upon thine own head.
63 It was a brook running between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives through a dark valley eastward from the city. See of this brook, 2 Sam. 15:23; 2 Kings 23:4; John 18:1.
64 Hebr. knowing know. Also verse 42.
65 Hebr. dying shalt die. Also verse 42.
66 See Lev. 20 on verse 9.
38And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
39And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto 67Achish son of 68Maachah king of 69Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.
67 See of this man, 1 Sam. 21:10.
68 Otherwise called Maoch, 1 Sam. 27:2.
69 The name of a city in the tribe of Dan, inhabited by giants, who descended from the Philistines, Joshua 11:22, likewise the giant Goliath was of this city, 1 Sam. 17:4.
40And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.
41And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.
42And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.
43Why then hast thou not kept the 70oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?
70 Understand the oath made by the name of the Lord, which Solomon had added to his threats uttered against Shimei. See verse 42.
44The king said moreover to Shimei, Thoup knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness 71upon thine own head;
p 2 Sam. 16:5, 6, 7.
71 See on verse 32.
45And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.
46So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom wasq established in the hand of Solomon.
q 2 Chron. 1:1.