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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 2:1-11

David, that great and good man, is here a dying man (1 Kgs. 2:1), and a dead man, 1 Kgs. 2:10. It is well there is another life after this, for death stains all the glory of this, and lays it in the dust. We have here, I. The charge and instructions which David, when he was dying, gave to Solomon, his son and declared successor. He feels himself declining, and is not backward to own it, nor afraid to hear or speak of dying: I go the way of all the earth, 1 Kgs. 2:2. Heb. I am walking in it.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 2:12-25

Here is, I. Solomon's accession to the throne, 1 Kgs. 2:12. He came to it much more easily and peaceably than David did, and much sooner saw his government established. It is happy for a kingdom when the end of one good reign is the beginning of another, as it was here. II. His just and necessary removal of Adonijah his rival, in order to the establishment of his throne. Adonijah had made some bold pretensions to the crown, but was soon obliged to let them fail and throw himself upon Solomon's... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 2:35-46

Here is, I. The preferment of Benaiah and Zadok, two faithful friends to Solomon and his government, 1 Kgs. 2:35. Joab being put to death, Benaiah was advanced to be general of the forces in his room, and, Abiathar being deposed, Zadok was made high priest in his room, and therein was fulfilled the word of God, when he threatened to cut off the house of Eli (1 Sam. 2:35), I will raise me up a faithful priest, and will build him a sure house. Though sacred offices may be disgraced, they shall... read more

John Gill

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

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die ,.... The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, Job 14:5 ; and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching dissolution which were upon him; see Genesis 47:29 . Abarbinel observes, that he is called only David, not King David; because Solomon his son was now anointed king, and reigned in his stead;... read more

John Gill

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

I go the way of all the earth ,.... A path which is the path of death F15 "------ omnes una manet nox, Et calcanda semel via lethi". Horat. Carmin. l. 1. ode 28. ver. 15, 16. , which all pass in, kings and peasants, high and low, rich and poor, great and small, good and bad; none are exempted, all must die, and do; it is the appointment of God, a decree which can never be reversed; all experience confirms it: this same phrase is used by Joshua, from whom David seems to have borrowed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:3

And keep the charge of the Lord thy God ,.... Which may in general respect his whole walk and conversation, and his obedience to the law and will of God; and in particular his just government of Israel committed to his charge: to walk in his ways ; directed to in his word: to keep his statutes and his judgments ; his laws, ceremonial, moral, and judicial: and his testimonies ; as the above laws, which testify of his mind, and declare what he would have done and observed: as it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:4

That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me ,.... his word of promise concerning the kingdom of David, and the succession of it, and confirm and establish it: saying, if thy children take heed to their way ; they are directed to walk in, even the way of the Lord, and not turn to the right hand or the left: to walk before me in truth : in the sincerity and integrity of their hearts, according to the word of truth, and under the influence of the spirit of truth: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:5

Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did unto me ,.... In slaying Absalom, contrary to his orders, and in behaving insolently towards him on account of his mourning for him, and at other times; but as these things might not be personally known to Solomon, only by hearsay, this may respect his disloyalty towards him, in joining with Adonijah, who set himself up for king in his lifetime, and without his knowledge and consent; or it may respect the instances next mentioned,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:6

Do therefore according to thy wisdom ,.... Which though young began to appear in him, even in the life of his father; he therefore exhorts him to use the wisdom he had, and take the first and fittest opportunity to cut him off for his former murders and late treason, as a dangerous man to his government and the peace of it: and let not his hoary head go down to the grave in peace ; that is, let him not die a natural, but a violent death; and let not his grey hairs be any argument for... read more

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