1 Kings 1:1-5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 1:5

Adonijah the son of Haggith - Who this woman was we know not; Adonijah was evidently David's eldest son now living, and one of whom his father was particularly fond; see 1 Kings 1:6 . Prepared him chariots and horsemen - He copied the conduct of his brother Absalom in every respect. See 2 Samuel 15:1 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:1

Now [Hebrews and , but "now" more nearly expresses the import of the original, for ו has here little or no connecting force. It is commonly found at the beginning of a book (as in Exodus, Leviticus, Joshua, Judges, 2 Samuel, Ruth, etc.), and that where there is no connection whatever with any earlier writing (as in Esther, Ezekiel, Jonah, etc.) It can hardly imply, therefore, "that the historian regards his work as a continuation of a preceding history" (Rawlinson), nor is there any... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:1

The chamber of sickness. This opening chapter of 1 Kings introduces us into the privacy of a sick room. Stretched upon a couch, covered with many folds of rich Eastern drapery, we see a feeble, decrepit, attenuated man. At his side stands a fair young girl, assiduously ministering to his wants. From time to time the door opens, and prophet, priest, and warrior enter to receive his instructions; for happily the mind is not a wreck like the body. Its vigour is hardly abated, though the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:1-53

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:2

Wherefore [Heb. and ] his servants [according to Josephus (Antiq. 7.14, 3), his physicians] said unto him, Let there be sought [lit. as marg; " let them seek "] for my lord the king [the singular pronoun is used as representing the servant who was spokesman for the rest] a young virgin [marg; " a damsel, a virgin. " She must be young, to impart heat, and a virgin, as befitted a king. Though she was recommended as a nurse, they would naturally suppose she might be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:3

So [Heb. and ] they sought (cf. Esther 2:2 ), for a fair [this word points to the same conclusion as "virgin" in per. 2] damsel throughout all the coasts [ i.e; borders ( costa = rib, side). An old writer speaks of the " coasts and quarters of heaven"] of Israel, and found Abishag [= "Father of error." Names compounded with Ab, "father," were and are very common in the East. We have, e.g; Ab -salom in Per. 6, and Abi- athar in Per. 7] a [Heb. the ] Shunammite ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:4

And the damsel was very fair [lit. ,fair to exceeding ] and cherished [see on 1 Kings 1:2 ] the king, and ministered to him; but the king knew her not. [This is mentioned to explain the history of 1 Kings 2:13-25 . Had it been otherwise, Adonijah could never have presumed to seek her in marriage, and Bathsheba would never have promised her help in his suit. Such an incestuous alliance would not only have been contrary to the law (Le 1 Kings 18:8 ), but abhorrent to all true... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:5

Then Adonijah [="Jehovah is my Lord." The fourth son of David, and now apparently the eldest surviving. It seems probable that Chileab, or Daniel ( 1 Chronicles 3:1 ), David's second son, died in infancy. For Amnon's death, see 2 Samuel 13:29 ; for Absalom's, 2 Samuel 18:14 . He must now have been between thirty-three and forty years of age (having been born in Hebron)] the son of Haggith [= "Festive" (Gesen.) "the dancer" (Stanley)] exalted himself, saying [to him self and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:5

Adonijah and the Lord's Anointed. The conspiracy of Adonijah and its issue may suggest some lessons as to the kingdom of Christ and those who oppose His reign. For consider— I. SOLOMON IS A TYPE OF OUR BLESSED LORD . This is universally allowed. The true "son of David" is the Son of God. He is the Divine Wisdom, the true Anointed One, the eternal King of Israel. Solomon "the peaceful" prefigured the great "Prince of Peace." II. THE KINGDOM OF SOLOMON ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:5

The sin of ambition. Ambition is not always wrong. It is a common inspiration; and when the desire for distinction is associated with fitness for it, the call to effort and advance is from God. But for such ambition the world would stagnate. When the schoolboy is working for a prize, when the writer or speaker resolves to be amongst the foremost men of his age, when the man of business presses on towards the front ranks in the commercial world, we see what should be applauded and not... read more

Group of Brands