1:1 Now king David was a old [and] stricken in years; and they
covered him with clothes, but he gat no b heat.
The Argument - Because the children of God should expect no
continual rest and quietness in this world, the Holy Spirit
sets before our eyes in this book the variety and change of
things, which came to the people of Israel from the death of
David, Solomon, and the rest of the kings, to the death of
Ahab. Declaring that flourishing kingdoms, unless they are
preserved by God's protection, (who then favours them when
his word is truly set forth, virtue esteemed, vice punished,
and concord maintained) fall to decay and come to nothing as
appears by the dividing of the kingdom under Rehoboam and
Jeroboam, who were one people before and now by the just
punishment of God were made two. Judah and Benjamin were
under Rehoboam, and this was called the kingdom of Judah.
The other ten tribes held with Jeroboam, and this was called
the kingdom of Israel. The king of Judah had his throne in
Jerusalem, and the king of Israel in Samaria, after it was
built by Omri Ahab's father. Because our Saviour Christ
according to the flesh, comes from the stock of David, the
genealogy of the kings of Judah is here described, from
Solomon to Joram the son of Jehoshaphat, who reigned over
Judah in Jerusalem as Ahab did over Israel in Samaria.
(a) He was about 70 years old, (2Sa 5:4).
(b) For his natural heat was worn away with travels.
1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts
of Israel, and found Abishag c a Shunammite, and brought
her to the king.
1:5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I
will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and
d fifty men to run before him.
1:7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with
Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah e helped
[him].
(e) They took his part and followed him.
1:10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and f the mighty
men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
(f) As the Cherethites and Pelethites.
1:12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel,
that thou mayest save thine own g life, and the life of
thy son Solomon.
(g) For Adonijah will destroy you and your son, if he
reigns.
1:14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also
will come in after thee, and h confirm thy words.
(h) By declaring such things, as may further the same.
1:18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the
king, thou knowest i [it] not:
(i) The king being worn with age, could not attend to the
affairs of the realm, and also Adonijah had many who
kept it from the king.
1:21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king
shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon
shall be k counted offenders.
(k) And so put to death as wicked transgressors.
1:23 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 l to the ground.
(l) Acknowledging him to be the true and worthy king
appointed by God, as the figure of his Christ.
1:27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not
shewed [it] unto thy m servant, who should sit on the
throne of my lord the king after him?
(m) Meaning, that in such affairs he should undertake
nothing unless he had consulted with the Lord.
1:30 Even as I n sware unto thee by the LORD 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.
(n) Moved by the Spirit of God to do so, because he foresaw
that Solomon would be the figure of Christ.
1:33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the o
servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride
upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
(o) Meaning, the king's servants and such as were of his
guard.
1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of p oil out of the
tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the
trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
(p) With which they were accustomed to anoint the priests
and the holy instruments, (Ex 30:23).
1:42 And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of
Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come
in; for thou [art] a valiant man, and bringest q good
tidings.
(q) He praised Jonathan, thinking to have heard good news
but God wrought things contrary to his expectation, and
so beat down his pride.
1:47 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 f bed.
(f) He gave God thanks for the good success.
1:50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and
went, and caught hold on the horns of the t altar.
(t) Which David his father had built in the floor of
Araunah, (2Sa 24:25).
