Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26-34

Abiathar and Joab were both aiding and abetting in Adonijah's rebellious attempt, and it is probable were at the bottom of this new motion made of Adonijah for Abishag, and it should seem Solomon knew it, 1 Kgs. 2:22. This was, in both, an intolerable affront both to God and to the government, and the worse because of their high station and the great influence their examples might have upon many. They therefore come next to be reckoned with. They are both equally guilty of 51c0 the treason,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26

And unto Abiathar the priest said the king ,.... Who was either at court, or he sent for him, and thus addressed him: get thee to Anathoth ; a city of the tribe of Benjamin, given to the priests, Joshua 21:18 ; of which place Abiathar might be originally, and whither he is bid to return: unto thine own fields ; which belonged to him there, either by inheritance or purchase; and these he was to mind, and not perform the functions of his office, however as high priest, and at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:27

So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord ,.... He deposed him from his office of high priest, otherwise I suppose he might officiate as a common priest, at least in some of the branches of it; this was done by his own authority as a king, and not as a prophet, as Bellarmine vainly distinguishes; and not by the authority of the college of the, priests, at the instance of Solomon, as Fortunatus Schacchus says F4 Elaeochrism. Myrothec. l. 3. c. 50. col. 1069. for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:28

Then tidings came to Joab ,.... Of the death of Adonijah, and the deposition of Abiathar: for Joab had turned after Adonijah ; publicly appeared at his feast, when he was saluted king by him, and others, and privately gave him advice in the affair of Abishag: though he turned not after Absalom ; did not join with him in his rebellion, but faithfully adhered to David; and yet both in his lifetime, and after his death, acted the traitorous part in favour of Adonijah: Ben Gersom gives... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:29

And it was told King Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord ,.... This account was brought him very probably by some of his courtiers: and, behold, he is by the altar ; to which he betook himself for refuge, laying hold on the horns of it: then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, go, fall upon him ; slay him; Josephus F7 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 1. sect. 4. says, the orders were to cut off his head; but perhaps it might be only to lay hold on him,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 2:27

So Solomon thrust out Abiathar - This was for having taken part before with Adonijah, but by it a remarkable prophecy was fulfilled; see 1 Samuel 2:13-35 (note), and the notes there. God had told Eli that the priesthood should depart from his house; Abiathar was the last of the descendants of Ithamar, of which family was Eli the high priest. Zadok, who was made priest in the stead of Abiathar, was of the family of Eliezer; and by this change the priesthood reverted to its ancient... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 2:28

Tidings came to Joab - He heard that Adonijah had been slain and Abiathar banished, and probably he had heard of David's dying charge to Solomon. Fearing therefore for his personal safety, he takes refuge at the tabernacle, as claiming Divine protection, and desiring to have his case decided by God alone; or perhaps a spark of remorse is now kindled; and, knowing that he must die, he wishes to die in the house of God, as it were under the shadow, that he might receive the mercy of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26

EXPOSITION THE DEPOSITION OF ABIATHAR AND THE DEATH OF JOAB . And unto Abiathar the priest [see note on 1 Kings 1:8 . The historian now relates the end of Adonijah's confederates] said the king, get thee to Anathoth [The Heb. is extremely curt and authoritative, corresponding well with the anger and determination of the speaker. Anathoth, the home of Abiathar, was also the residence of another high priest, Hilkiah ( Jeremiah 1:1 ). It was in Benjamin, a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26-27

The Degraded High Priest. We may find in this section a sermon on Caesarism. The relations of the world power to the Church; the province of the State and the prerogatives of the clergy; what are the proper limits of the temporal power and what is the exclusive domain of the spiritual; these have been vexed questions for many centuries. They are prominent topics at the present day. We may perhaps find in this history a few principles to guide us. For we learn I. THAT PRIESTS HAD... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26-35

The Death of Joab. "Know ye not that there is a prince and great man fallen this day in Israel"—so might men say as they heard, so may we say as we read, the history of Joab's death. After David, he was by far the greatest man—the ablest general, the bravest soldier, the most capable statesman—of that age. He was "the Marlborough, the Belisarius of the Jewish empire." He had fought David's battles, won his conquests, captured his citadel, and twice preserved for him his crown. It is a sad... read more

Group of Brands