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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:10

So David slept with his fathers ,.... Died as his ancestors before him did; for, buried with them he was not; and therefore cannot be understood of his lying with them in the grave, but in the state of the dead; he died according as the Jews say F17 T. Hieros. Chagigah, fol. 78. 1. on the day of Pentecost, and according to Bishop Usher F18 Anuals, &c.; p. 56. A. M. 2990, and before Christ 1014; and was buried in the city of David ; not at Bethlehem, in the sepulchre of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:11

And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years ,.... So says Eupolemus F19 Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 30. , an Heathen writer, which are thus reckoned: seven years reigned he in Hebron ; the six months over are omitted, 2 Samuel 5:5 ; this part of his reign was over Judah only: and thirty three years reigned he in Jerusalem ; over the twelve tribes, in all forty, which round number is only given; though in fact he reigned six months more. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:12

Then sat Solomon on the throne of David his father ,.... So he did in his lifetime, with his consent, and by his order, and now by the agreement of the whole people: and his kingdom was established greatly ; all submitting to it, and none opposing it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:13

And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon ,.... Into her apartment; Abarbinel thinks it was a few days after the death of David: and she said, comest thou peaceably ? in a friendly manner, with no ill design, only to pay a friendly visit; for she might fear he came to avenge himself on her, and destroy her, because she had been the instrument of disappointing him of the kingdom, and of getting her son Solomon set upon the throne, and established in it; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:14

He said, moreover, I have something to say unto thee ,.... Signifying that he came upon business: and she said, say on ; intimating her readiness to hear what it was. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:15

And he said, thou knowest that the kingdom was mine ,.... Belonged to him by virtue of his birthright; he was heir to it, being the eldest son: and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign ; which was not true; for, as Bathsheba says, the body of the people were in suspense, their eyes being on David, waiting to hear whom he would declare his successor; and when Solomon was declared and anointed, vast numbers attended him; unless Adonijah thought that the high priest,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:16

And now I ask one petition of thee ,.... And but one, and a small one too, as Bathsheba herself after calls it: deny me not , or "turn not away my face" F20 תשיבי את פני "ne avertere facias faciem meam", Pagninus. ; with shame and sorrow, which would be the case should he be denied: and she said unto him, say on ; let me hear it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:17

And he said, speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king ,.... He owns him to be king, and which he the rather did to engage her to take his suit in hand, and to cover his design: for he will not say thee nay ; or turn away thy face, or deny thy request; she being his mother, for whom he had a great affection, and to whom he was under obligation on all accounts: that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife ; which was contrary to the law of God, Leviticus 18:8 ; which surely... read more

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