1 Kings 1:3,1 Kings 1:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 1:1-4

David, as recorded in the foregoing chapter, had, by the great mercy of God, escaped the sword of the destroying angel. But our deliverances from or through diseases and dangers are but reprieves; if the candle be not blown out, it will burn out of itself. We have David here sinking under the infirmities of old age, and brought by them to the gates of the grave. He that cometh up out of the pit shall fall into the snare; and, one way or other, we must needs die. 1. It would have troubled one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:3

So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel ,.... Not only a damsel, but a beautiful one, that she might be the more acceptable to the king; who otherwise, if deformed and ugly, would not have endured her in his sight, or received at her hands, and much less suffered her to lie in his bosom: and found Abishag a Shunammite ; a native of the city Shunem, a city in the tribe of Issachar, Joshua 19:18 ; and brought her to the king ; for his approbation of her,... 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 1:3

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

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 1:3

coasts = borders. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 1:1-4

1 Kings 1:1-4. Now King David was old, &c.— It appears from 2Sa 5:4-5 that he was seventy years old. The strength of nature was so far abated in him, that clothes could not keep him warm in his bed. His physicians therefore advised, that a fair and youthful virgin should be sought for, who might cherish his vital heat; the natural warmth of a young healthful human body being, as the physicians observe, best fitted for that end, both in kind and degree. If it be asked, how the beauty of the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 1:3

3. a Shunammite—Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:18), lay on an eminence in the plain of Esdraelon, five miles south of Tabor. It is now called Sulam. Joshua 19:18- :. ADONIJAH USURPS THE KINGDOM. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 1:1-4

1. David’s declining health 1:1-4It was customary in ancient times to warm an elderly person not only by covering him or her with blankets, but also by putting a healthy person in bed with him or her. [Note: Wiseman, p. 67.] The body heat of the well person would keep the older person warmer. David’s physicians chose Abishag to provide nursing care for David as well as to warm him. Since David was the king, they sought and found a beautiful nurse for him. In view of David’s symptoms, he may... 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

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