1 Kings 2:23-46 NIV

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 2:23

Then King Solomon sware by the Lord ,.... To prevent his mother pressing him to have her petition granted: saying, God do so to me, and more also ; lay such and such evils upon me, and more than I care to express: if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life ; to his own prejudice, and even to the loss of his life; in which Solomon suggests it would issue, being a fresh overt act of treason; he knew, from what Bathsheba said, that this was his petition, and that he had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:24

Now therefore, as the Lord liveth ,.... Which is another oath; and one may easily perceive hereby in what a temper and disposition Solomon was, how warm, earnest, and vehement, how resolute against the petition, and how determined he was to punish Adonijah and his confederates: which hath established me, and set me upon the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised ; who had placed him on his father's throne, and established him there, in spite of all his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:25

And King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada ,.... Orders to execute him, and proper persons to do it; perhaps some of the Cherethites and Pelethites under him, to assist at least in it: and he fell upon him, that he died ; Benaiah rushed in upon him with his men, and thrust his sword into him, and killed him; executions used to be done in those times and countries by great personages, as the instances of Gideon, Doeg, and others, show, and not by common executioners. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26

And unto Abiathar the priest said the king ,.... Who was either at court, or he sent for him, and thus addressed him: get thee to Anathoth ; a city of the tribe of Benjamin, given to the priests, Joshua 21:18 ; of which place Abiathar might be originally, and whither he is bid to return: unto thine own fields ; which belonged to him there, either by inheritance or purchase; and these he was to mind, and not perform the functions of his office, however as high priest, and at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:27

So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord ,.... He deposed him from his office of high priest, otherwise I suppose he might officiate as a common priest, at least in some of the branches of it; this was done by his own authority as a king, and not as a prophet, as Bellarmine vainly distinguishes; and not by the authority of the college of the, priests, at the instance of Solomon, as Fortunatus Schacchus says F4 Elaeochrism. Myrothec. l. 3. c. 50. col. 1069. for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:28

Then tidings came to Joab ,.... Of the death of Adonijah, and the deposition of Abiathar: for Joab had turned after Adonijah ; publicly appeared at his feast, when he was saluted king by him, and others, and privately gave him advice in the affair of Abishag: though he turned not after Absalom ; did not join with him in his rebellion, but faithfully adhered to David; and yet both in his lifetime, and after his death, acted the traitorous part in favour of Adonijah: Ben Gersom gives... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:29

And it was told King Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord ,.... This account was brought him very probably by some of his courtiers: and, behold, he is by the altar ; to which he betook himself for refuge, laying hold on the horns of it: then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, go, fall upon him ; slay him; Josephus F7 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 1. sect. 4. says, the orders were to cut off his head; but perhaps it might be only to lay hold on him,... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26-34

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:29

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