1 Kings 1

1 Kings 1:1

OLd] Seventy yeers old, as appears, 2 Samuel 5:4.

striken in yeers] Hb. entered into dayes.

with clothes] Clothes may increase heat, but they cannot beget heat.

no heat] His naturall heat was spent by travels, labours and afflictions: Otherwise he might longer have retained heat and strength, as well as others.

1 Kings 1:2

servants] Physitians, as Josephus.

Let there be sought] Heb. Let them seek.

a young virgin] Heb. a damsel, a virgin.

cherish him] Heb. be a cherisher unto him.

lie in thy bosome] This was a wives priviledge, Genesis 16:5. Deuteronomy 13:6. Micah 7:5. So as she was as his wife.

may get heat] Nothing could do it more kindely.

1 Kings 1:3

Shunammite] Of the city Shunem, which was in the tribe of Issachar, Joshua 19:18.

1 Kings 1:4

cherished, ministred] By doing the office of a nurse-keeper.

knew her not] By reason of his frigidity. This is a modest and seemly phrase, whereby both matrimoniall, and all other copulation of man and woman is set out, Genesis 4:1. Matthew 1:25. Judges 19:25. yea, its used to set out the filthy sin of man with man, Genesis 19:5. Judges 19:22.

1 Kings 1:5

Adonijah] The eldest son then living, 2 Samuel 3:4.

exalted himself] For David had declared Solomon to be designed king by God himself, 1 Chronicles 22:10.

be king] Heb. reign.

chariots, &c.] As Absalom had done before in a like case, 2 Samuel 15:1. These were evidences of an aspiring haughty minde.

1 Kings 1:6

not displeased] By any rebuke.

at any time] Heb. from his dayes.

he also] As well as Absalom, 2 Samuel 14:25.

after Absalom] By another mother, 2 Samuel 3:3-4.

1 Kings 1:7

he conferred with Joab] Heb. his words were with Joab. Consulted how to bring the plot to passe.

Joab] Generall of the army, 2 Samuel 8:16.

Abiathar] High-priest, Chap. 2. v. 35.

following Adonijah] Heb. helped after Adonijah. Hearkning to his motion, vers. 5. 2 Samuel 2:10.

helped] By counsell, ayd, company, and what other means they could.

1 Kings 1:8

priest] Next in order to Abiathar.

Benaiah] Chief captain and commander over choice souldiers. See 2 Samuel 8:18.

Nathan] A prophet, to whom David used to communicate his minde (2 Samuel 7:2.) and whom God used to send to David, 2 Samuel 12:1.

Shimei] Of whom mention is made, Chap. 14. 18. See what favour David shewed him, 2 Samuel 19:23.

Rei] A states-man.

mighty men] The guard or garison-souldiers under Benaiah, called Cherethites and Pelethites (2 Samuel 20:23.) who remained faithfull to David in Absaloms rebellion, 2 Samuel 15:18. Of these, see the notes on 2 Samuel 8:18.

1 Kings 1:9

slew sheep] For sacrifices, and for a feast. So Genesis 31:54.

En-rogel] Or, the well Rogel. Without Jerusalem (2 Samuel 17:17.) on the east-side, Joshua 15:7.

called] Invited to his feast, thereby to win them to his side.

brethren] Except Solomon.

kings servants] Except the mighty-men, v. 9. and the servants mentioned, v. 33.

1 Kings 1:10

he called not] Such as he had no hope to win to his side.

1 Kings 1:11

Nathan spake, &c.] He knowing that God had appointed Solomon to be king, useth means to bring it to passe.

Haggith doth reign] 2 Samuel 3:4.

knoweth it not] So as all which is done, may be undone.

1 Kings 1:12

save, &c.] Heb. counsell. This he said because he knew that usurpers would do what they could to destroy such as have a right claim, and also their friends.

life] Heb. soul.

1 Kings 1:13

swear] Herewith David comforted Bath-sheba, 2 Samuel 12:24. David himself confesseth that he did so swear, v. 30.

hand-maid] Though she were his wife, yet his subject. It is a title of reverence, 1 Samuel 25:24; 1 Samuel 25:41. See v. 16.

1 Kings 1:14

confirm] Heb. fill up. Testifie the truth of what thou sayest: And further adde what I shall conceive requisite to be added.

1 Kings 1:15

old] See v. 1. ministred] See v. 4.

1 Kings 1:16

bowed] As became a wife, and a subject. See v. 13.

What wouldst thou?] Heb. What to thee.

1 Kings 1:17

swarest] A sacred and solemn oath. See v. 13.

thy God] Inclusively: not excluding others: but as John 20:17. But she thus appropriateth this relation to him, to move him the more to make good his oath.

1 Kings 1:18

reigneth] Endeavoureth to reign, and carrieth himself as king.

knowest not] By reason of bodily weaknesse, so as David ha no hand therein.

1 Kings 1:19

thy servant] As hand-maid, v. 13.

1 Kings 1:20

And thou] Or, And now.

eyes of all] All expect whom thou wilt declare to be thy successour in the throne. Thus they who expect any succour from God are said to have their eies on God, Psalms 25:15. and Psalms 123:2.

1 Kings 1:21

sleep] Shall be dead and laid in grave, Genesis 47:30. See Chap. 2. 10.

with his fathers] As his fathers and predecessors before him Genesis 15:15.

offenders] Heb. sinners. See Genesis 43:9.

1 Kings 1:22

came in] So as David might not suspect the matter before-hand plotted betwixt them, as it was, v. 14.

1 Kings 1:23

come in] Bath-sheba going out, v. 28. See v. 32.

bowed] In the lowliest manner that he could, according to the custome of those times, yeelding civill obeisance to his Sovereign.

1 Kings 1:24

hast thou said?] I cannot let it sink into my minde, that thou shouldest say any such thing.

1 Kings 1:25

eat, &c.] They feast together, v. 9.

God save king Adonijah] Heb. Let king Adonijah live. A usuall acclamation at the election or coronation of a king, vers. 34. 1 Samuel 10:24. 2 Kings 11:12.

1 Kings 1:26

me thy servant] Prophets are kings servants.

thy servant Solomon] Though designed king, yet servant to the old king living.

1 Kings 1:27

hast not shewed] For David was wont to communicate his weighty purposes to Nathan, 2 Samuel 7:2.

1 Kings 1:28

into the kings] Heb. before the king.

1 Kings 1:29

As the Lord liveth] Heb. The Lord liveth. An usuall form of oath, Judg. 8. 19. Forms of oaths use to be concise. The first particle, as, is prefixed to make up the sense.

1 Kings 1:31

for ever] Very long, an usuall salutation given to kings, Nehem. 2. 3. Daniel 6:21. It is here used by Bath-sheba, to shew that she preferred Davids life and reign before her sons.

1 Kings 1:32

and Nathan] For he went out upon Bath-sheba coming in, that they might not seem to plot together.

1 Kings 1:33

servants] Such as abode faithfull to David, and were speciall attendants on him, and his guard, v. 8.

lord] David, Heb. your lords. Meaning his own, and his son Solomons servants.

mine own] Heb. which belongeth to me. To shew it was with Davids consent.

mule] A royall honour, Esther 6:8.

Gihon] A famous place, so called by reason of the river Gihon, 2 Chron. 32. 30. and 33. 14. and so far distant from En-rogel, as the two companis might not meet together; for it was on the west-side of the city, over against Gihon, vers. 9.

1 Kings 1:34

Zadok, and Nathan] For the greater solemnity.

anoint] An usuall rite of inaugurating kings; especially in troublesome times. 1 Samuel 10:1. and 1 Samuel 16:1. 2 Kings 23:30.

blow, and say] These acclamations adde much to the solemnity. See 2 Samuel 15:10. 2 Kings 9:13. and 11. 12, 14.

God save] See v. 25.

1 Kings 1:35

I have appointed] A good warrant.

and Judah] For excellency sake Judah is distinctly named; and the rather because David was of the tribe of Judah. Besides, there were emulations betwixt the ten tribes and Judah, (2 Samuel 19:41.) before the division of the kingdoms, 1 Kings 12:19.

1 Kings 1:36

Benaiah] In his own, and the others name, as Matthew 16:16.

Amen] An Hebrew word, which importeth an approbation, ratification, and earnest desire of all that whereunto it is nnexed: thereupon it useth to be added to prayers, Matthew 6:13. The words following are an exposition hereof.

say so] Accomplish that which the king hath said: Gods words are deeds, Genesis 1:3. Psalms 33:9.

1 Kings 1:37

so be he] In bestowing all kindes of blessing.

greater] Increase of blessing must ever be prayed for, v. 47.

1 Kings 1:38

Cherethites and Pelethites] The mighty men and kings servants before mentioned, v. 8, 10, 33. Such as waited on the king to guard his person, 2 Samuel 8:18. and 2 Samuel 15:18.

1 Kings 1:39

out of the tabernacle] To shew it was holy oyl, as Psalms 89:20.

God save] See v. 25.

1 Kings 1:40

pipes] Or, flutes.

the earth rent] An hyperbolicall speech, to amplifie the exceeding great rejoycing, and loud acclamations of the people. Reports of great canons will make mountains to shake and cleave: so will great thunder-claps.

1 Kings 1:41

end of eating] Their feast being soon ended.

Jab] It belonged to his office to suppresse tumults, as Acts 21:31-32.

1 Kings 1:42

a valiant man] Heb. a man of vertue. Or, a vertuous man. This word is translated (Proverbs 12:4.) vertuous, being applyed to a woman. Such a man is stiled a good man, 2 Samuel 18:27.

good tidings] Flattering himself with vain hopes.

1 Kings 1:44

kings mule] Whereon none must ride but a king.

1 Kings 1:45

city rang] Another hyperbole, whereby the rejoycing is amplified.

1 Kings 1:46

sitteth on the throne] Hath an actuall possession of the kingdom.

1 Kings 1:47

blesse] Saluted him: prayed, and praised God for him. See v. 37.

bowed himself upon the bed] Worshipped God even in his bed, and praised him, as Genesis 47:31.

1 Kings 1:48

Blessed] This shews that he bowed to God.

1 Kings 1:49

afraid] Joy may soon be turned into fear, which quickly seizeth on traitors.

his way] To his own house, and affairs: leaving Adonijah and his cause.

1 Kings 1:50

feared] By reason of a guilty conscience he feared lst Solomon should take away his life, knowing that he had sinned against God and his fathers will.

horns] The altar was made with four horns, Exodus 38:2. on them a man might lay fast hold

altar] They supposed that to be a place of refuge, Exodus 21:14. and to have a priviledge of immunity from punishment: at least he thought he might gain time thereby to pacifie his brothers wrath (which he did, v. 52, 53.) and to seek mercy of God, as Joab, Chap. 2. v. 30.

1 Kings 1:51

swear] His guilty conscience would be satisfied with nothing but an oath.

servant] An acknowledgement of subjection.

1 Kings 1:52

If he will] He is pardoned upon his future good behaviour.

a worthy man] Heb. a son of vertue. So as becometh his place.

not an hair] The least evill shall not befall him, for what he did before, 1 Samuel 14:45. 2 Samuel 14:11. Acts 27:34.

he shall die] No hope of escaping hereafter shall be given him.

1 Kings 1:53

Go to thine house] Attend thine own affairs: and meddle not with the affairs of the kingdom.