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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 2:26

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:30

And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the Lord ,.... At Gibeon: and said unto him ; that is, to Joab: thus saith the king, come forth ; meaning, out of the tabernacle; which plainly shows that his orders were not to slay him in it: and he said, nay, but I will die here ; since he must die, he chose to die there; but what was his reason for it is not so clear; the Jews, some of them, say, to save his goods, and that they might come to his heirs, which would have been forfeited to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:31

And the king said unto him, do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him ,.... Let him die where he is, slay him upon the spot, and then bury him; not by the altar, but in his own sepulchre, as later related, that in, give orders to bury him there; for Benaiah being a priest, could not be concerned in the burial of him, and besides it was below the dignity of his office: (, 1 Chronicles 27:2 where Gill advances resaons for Benaiah not being a priest. Editor.) that thou mayest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:32

And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head ,.... By way of retaliation, blood for blood: who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he ; later named; for though they had been in open rebellion against David, yet had submitted, and were reconciled and received into favour; and even their open crimes were not so bad, Solomon judged, as his secret treacherous murders of innocent persons in cool blood; they were men of more honour and integrity than he was, not so cruel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:33

Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever ,.... Not only upon Joab, but upon his posterity as long as there would be any; signifying, that Joab's death would not be a sufficient satisfaction, but the punishment of his murders would be continued to his offspring: see 2 Samuel 3:29 ; but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the Lord ; such traitors and murderers... read more

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