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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 1:5-10

David had much affliction in his children. Amnon and Absalom had both been his grief; the one his first-born, the other his third, 2 Sam. 3:2, 3. His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose he had comfort in; his fourth was Adonijah (2 Sam. 3:4); he was one of those that were born in Hebron; we have heard nothing of him till now, and here we are told that he was a comely person, and that he was next in age, and (as it proved) next in temper to Absalom, 1 Kgs. 1:6. And, further, that in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 1:11-31

We have here the effectual endeavours that were used by Nathan and Bathsheba to obtain from David a ratification of Solomon's succession, for the crushing of Adonijah's usurpation. 1. David himself knew not what was doing. Disobedient children think that they are well enough off if they can but keep their good old parents ignorant of their bad courses; but a bird of the air will carry the voice. 2. Bathsheba lived retired, and knew nothing of it either, till Nathan informed her. Many get very... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 1:32-40

We have here the effectual care David took both to secure Solomon's right and to preserve the public peace, by crushing Adonijah's project in the bud. Observe, I. The express orders he gave for the proclaiming of Solomon. The persons he entrusted with this great affair were Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah, men of power and interest whom David had always reposed a confidence in and found faithful to him, and whom Adonijah had passed by in his invitation, 1 Kgs. 1:10. David orders them forthwith,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:10

But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not. Did not invite them to this feast; not Nathan, who he might know had prophesied of Solomon's succession in the throne, and therefore it could not be thought he would be drawn over to him; nor "Benaiah and the mighty men"; David's bodyguards, over whom this officer was; and still less Solomon, his competitor and rival. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:11

Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon ,.... Who not only had an interest in the king, being his wife, and an easy access to him, but had a special concern in this affair, as it affected her son, to whom the succession of the kingdom was designed and promised: saying, hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign ? has usurped the throne, and is proclaimed king by a party, who at least have drank his health as such; has taken the title, and is about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:12

Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel ,.... How to conduct in this affair, which she being a woman, and no doubt surprised and confounded at this relation, might be at a loss what to do; wherefore Nathan, being a wise man, and a faithful friend, offers to give the best advice he could, and desires her attention to it: says he, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon ; which would be the usurper's first care to take away, that he might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:13

Go and get thee in unto King David ,.... That is, go into the chamber where the king lay, at once, without any ceremony: and say unto him, didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne ? though no mention is elsewhere made of such an oath, there undoubtedly was one, of which Nathan had knowledge, either from David or Bathsheba, or from them both, or might be present himself at the making... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:14

Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king ,.... Before, or by the time she could deliver the above words to him, or such as she should think fit to use, to awaken the king to a concern for the interest of her and her son: I will also come in after thee ; directly into the king's chamber: and confirm thy words ; as he could very well do, if he was present as a witness of the oath he had made to her, as well as he could confirm the truth of Adonijah's usurpation; nay, could... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:15

And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber ,.... Where he lay, being bedridden; she took Nathan's advice, and directly went to the king's apartment: and the king was very old : and decrepit, borne down with the infirmities of old age, though but seventy years of age: and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king ; she was then waiting upon the king, and serving him with what was necessary and proper for him; and perhaps there was no other in the chamber at that time. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:16

And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance to the king ,.... Not only as being her husband, but her sovereign; and this behaviour might intimate, that she had something to say to him, and more than to inquire of his health: and the king said, wouldest thou ? what hast thou to say to me? or to ask of me? what is thy will and pleasure, or thine errand to me? read more

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