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Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 1:11

1 Kings 1:11. Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba Who, being private and retired in her apartment, was ignorant of what was done abroad; and who was likely to be most zealous in the cause, and most prevalent with David. To her Nathan was induced to speak, both by his piety, that he might fulfil the will of God declared to him concerning Solomon’s succession, 2 Samuel 7:13; and by his prudence, knowing that Adonijah hated him for being the principal instrument of Solomon’s advancement. That... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:1-53

1:1-4:34 SOLOMON ESTABLISHES HIS KINGDOMSolomon becomes king (1:1-53)David was old and his health was failing. He needed a nurse with him continually, one of her duties being to lie with him in bed to give him warmth. Although this nurse, Abishag, was not David’s concubine, many people apparently thought she was (1:1-4; see note on 2:22).Adonijah, David’s oldest surviving son, decided to establish himself as king while David was still alive, and so prevent any possible claim to the throne by... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 1:11

NATHAN MASTERMINDED A PLAN TO THWART ADONIJAH"Then Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 1:11

11-27. Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba . . . let me . . . give thee counsel, c.—The revolt was defeated by this prophet, who, knowing the Lord's will (2 Samuel 7:12 1 Chronicles 22:9), felt himself bound, in accordance with his character and office, to take the lead in seeing it executed. Hitherto the succession of the Hebrew monarchy had not been settled. The Lord had reserved to Himself the right of nomination (Deuteronomy 17:15), which was acted upon in the appointments both of Saul and David;... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 1:1-12

A. Solomon’s Succession to David’s Throne 1:1-2:12The first segment of the writer’s story (1 Kings 1:1 to 1 Kings 2:12) continues the history of Israel’s monarchy where 2 Samuel ended. It records the final events in David’s reign that led to Solomon’s succession to the throne. It answers the question raised in 2 Samuel 9-20, namely, "Who will succeed David?" Similarly, Genesis 12-22 answers the question, "Who will be Abram’s heir?" read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 1:5-53

2. Adonijah’s attempt to seize the throne 1:5-53Adonijah ("Yahweh is lord") was David’s fourth son (2 Samuel 3:4) and the eldest one living at this time. Evidently he believed it was more important that the eldest son succeed David, as was customary in the Near East, than that the king of Yahweh’s anointing occupy that position. God had identified Solomon as David’s successor even before Solomon was born (1 Chronicles 22:9-10). Adonijah’s revolt was primarily against the revealed will of God,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 1:1-53

An Intrigue for the SuccessionThis chapter relates Adonijah’s attempt to obtain the succession, its defeat through the agency of Nathan, and the enthronement of Solomon. The history contained in it is omitted in 1 Ch, where, however, mention is made of Solomon’s having been crowned not once only but twice (1 Chronicles 29:22). Probably the second occasion corresponds to what is related in 1 Kings 1:39 (cp. 1 Chronicles 29:24 with 1 Kings 1:53).1. Now] better, ’and,’ connecting this book with... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Kings 1:11

(11) Wherefore Nathan.—The initiative taken by Nathan is especially natural, since he had been the medium both of the prophecy to David of the son who should build the Lord’s house (2 Samuel 7:12-15), and also of the blessing on Solomon, embodied in the name Jedidiah (“beloved of Jehovah,” 2 Samuel 12:25). Perhaps for this very reason the conspirators had altogether held aloof from him. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:1-53

AN EASTERN COURT AND HOME1 Kings 1:1-53"Pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness."Ezekiel 16:49A MAN does not choose his own destiny; it is ordained for higher ends than his own personal happiness. If David could have made his choice, he might, indeed, have been dazzled by the glittering lure of royalty; yet he would have been in all probability happier and nobler had he never risen above the simple life of his forefathers. Our saintly king in Shakespeare’s tragedy says:-"My crown is... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:5-53

ADONIJAH’S REBELLION1 Kings 1:5-53"The king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?"- Ecclesiastes 8:4THE fate of Amnon and of Absalom might have warned the son who was now the eldest, and who had succeeded to their claims.Adonijah was the son of Haggith, "the dancer." His father had piously given him the name, which means "Jehovah is my Lord." He too, was "a very goodly man," treated by David with foolish indulgence, and humored in all his wishes. Although the rights of... read more

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