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The history now before us accounts for the affairs of the
kingdoms of Judah and Israel, yet with special regard to the
kingdom of God among them; for it is a sacred history. It is
earlier as to time, teaches much more, and is more interesting
than any common histories.
avid's declining age. (1-4) Adonijah aspires to the throne.
(5-10) David makes Solomon king. (11-31) Solomon is anointed
king, and Adonijah's usurpation stopped. (32-53)
Verses 1-4: We have David sinking under infirmities. He was chastised
for his recent sins, and felt the effects of his former toils
and hardships.
Verses 5-10: Indulgent parents are often chastised with disobedient
children, who are anxious to possess their estates. No worldly
wisdom, nor experience, nor sacredness of character, can insure
the continuance in any former course of those who remain under
the power of self-love. But we may well wonder by what arts Joab
and Abiathar could be drawn aside.
Verses 11-31: Observe Nathan's address to Bathsheba. Let me give thee
counsel how to save thy own life, and the life of thy son. Such
as this is the counsel Christ's ministers give us in his name,
to give all diligence, not only that no man take our crown, (Re
3:11), but that we save our lives, even the lives of our souls.
David made a solemn declaration of his firm cleaving to his
former resolution, that Solomon should be his successor. Even
the recollection of the distresses from which the Lord redeemed
him, increased his comfort, inspired his hopes, and animated him
to his duty, under the decays of nature and the approach of
death.
Verses 32-53: The people expressed great joy and satisfaction in the
elevation of Solomon. Every true Israelite rejoices in the
exaltation of the Son of David. Combinations formed upon evil
principles will soon be dissolved, when self-interest calls
another way. How can those who do evil deeds expect to have good
tidings? Adonijah had despised Solomon, but soon dreaded him. We
see here, as in a glass, Jesus, the Son of David and the Son of
God, exalted to the throne of glory, notwithstanding all his
enemies. His kingdom is far greater than that of his father
David, and therein all the true people of God cordially rejoice.
The prosperity of his cause is vexation and terror to his
enemies. No horns of the altar, nor forms of godliness, nor
pretences to religion, can profit those who will not submit to
His authority, and accept of his salvation; and if their
submission be hypocritical, they shall perish without remedy.
