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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 1:5-10

David had much affliction in his children. Amnon and Absalom had both been his grief; the one his first-born, the other his third, 2 Sam. 3:2, 3. His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose he had comfort in; his fourth was Adonijah (2 Sam. 3:4); he was one of those that were born in Hebron; we have heard nothing of him till now, and here we are told that he was a comely person, and that he was next in age, and (as it proved) next in temper to Absalom, 1 Kgs. 1:6. And, further, that in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 1:11-31

We have here the effectual endeavours that were used by Nathan and Bathsheba to obtain from David a ratification of Solomon's succession, for the crushing of Adonijah's usurpation. 1. David himself knew not what was doing. Disobedient children think that they are well enough off if they can but keep their good old parents ignorant of their bad courses; but a bird of the air will carry the voice. 2. Bathsheba lived retired, and knew nothing of it either, till Nathan informed her. Many get very... read more

John Gill

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

Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself ,.... This was his mother's name, 2 Samuel 3:4 ; his father David being old and infirm, and not like to live long, notable to oppose him; and he being the eldest son, and a comely person, was inspired with ambition to set up for king: saying, I will be king ; though he knew that Solomon was appointed of God, and promised by David, and expected by the people to be king, yet he was resolved to set up himself for king, and try if he could... read more

John Gill

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

And his father had not displeased him at any time ,.... Always humoured him in everything, let him have his own way and will, and granted him what he desired, and never corrected him for his faults, or made him ashamed, as the Targum, by telling him of them, and chastising him for them; this was not to the credit of David, being guilty of the same sin with Eli; and on this Adonijah presumed much, that he would not contradict and countermand in this as he had not in other things before: in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:7

And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest ,.... About getting the kingdom into his hands: and they were very proper persons to consult with, who, if gained to his interest, might be of great service, the one being the general of the army, and so had a great interest in the soldiery, with whom he could make way for him, and defend him, and the other was the high priest, who might be thought to have a great share in the affections of the people, and whose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:8

But Zadok the priest ,.... Who bid fair to be the high priest on Solomon's coming to the throne as he was: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada ; who was near David's person, and over his bodyguards, the Cherethites and Pelethites: and Nathan the prophet ; a very great intimate of David's, and his seer, whom he consulted on all occasions: and Shimei ; who, according to Abarbinel, was Shimei the son of Gera, who had cursed David, and was afraid of entering into the conspiracy, lest he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:9

And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle ,.... To make a feast of for those that were of his party, which was numerous, and some of them persons of the first rank, and therefore a large and elegant entertainment was provided for them: by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel ; or the fullers' fountain, as the Targum, where the fullers washed their clothes, using their feet in doing it, from whence it had its name; and which they laid upon this stone for the water to drain... read more

John Gill

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

But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not. Did not invite them to this feast; not Nathan, who he might know had prophesied of Solomon's succession in the throne, and therefore it could not be thought he would be drawn over to him; nor "Benaiah and the mighty men"; David's bodyguards, over whom this officer was; and still less Solomon, his competitor and rival. read more

John Gill

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

Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon ,.... Who not only had an interest in the king, being his wife, and an easy access to him, but had a special concern in this affair, as it affected her son, to whom the succession of the kingdom was designed and promised: saying, hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign ? has usurped the throne, and is proclaimed king by a party, who at least have drank his health as such; has taken the title, and is about... read more

John Gill

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

Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel ,.... How to conduct in this affair, which she being a woman, and no doubt surprised and confounded at this relation, might be at a loss what to do; wherefore Nathan, being a wise man, and a faithful friend, offers to give the best advice he could, and desires her attention to it: says he, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon ; which would be the usurper's first care to take away, that he might... read more

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