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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 2:40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants ,.... And demand them; through the passion he was in with his servants, and his hurry to get them home, and the covetous disposition which prevailed on him, he might forget, or be tempted to neglect, the prohibition he was under not to go out of Jerusalem; or he might think Solomon had forgot it; or that he could come and go secretly without his knowledge; or if he should know of it, he might hope he would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:41

And it was told Solomon ,.... By the spies he set to watch and observe his motions, or by some others who had seen him go out and return, and knew that it was contrary to the king's orders: that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again ; which was thirty four miles from Jerusalem F8 Bunting's Travels, &c.; p. 124. ; whereas his utmost bounds, whither he might go, was the brook Kidron, about half a mile from it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:42

And the king sent and called for Shimei ,.... He sent messengers to him, and by them ordered him to come to him, who accordingly came: and he said unto him, did not I make thee swear by the Lord ; which, though not before mentioned, was no doubt done, nor did Shimei deny it: and protested unto thee ; that is, declared before witnesses: saying, know for certain, that on the day thou goest out ; namely, out of the city of Jerusalem: and walkest abroad any whither ; further at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:43

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord ,.... Which was made by him, and in his presence, and in which he was appealed to, and so by not keeping it was guilty of perjury: and the commandment that I have charged thee with ? and so guilty of disobedience to him as his sovereign; for which two reasons he ought to die. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:44

The king said moreover to Shimei ,.... Not as another reason for his putting him to death, but to remind him of his former sins, and to observe to him the providence of God in suffering him to fall into others, that justice might take place upon him for them also: thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father ; which conscience must bear witness to, and accuse him of, not only of the words and actions themselves uttered and done by him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:45

And King Solomon shall be blessed ,.... With a long and peaceable reign, and large dominions, notwithstanding all the attempts to make him unhappy: and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord for ever ; the kingdom of David over Judah for a long time, in his natural line; and the kingdom of Israel, spiritual Israel, for ever in his son the Messiah; and that in the presence of the Lord, he observing, ordering, and succeeding all things to that purpose. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 2:46

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, which went out ,.... From the presence of the king, and took Shimei with him to the proper place of execution, it not being fitting to execute him before the king: and fell upon him, that he died ; put him to death by the sword: and the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon ; Adonijah the usurper, and Joab the general of the army, who took on his side, being both put to death; and Abiathar the high priest deposed, who was in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 2:40

And Shimei - went to Gath - It is astonishing that with his eyes wide open he would thus run into the jaws of death. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 2:45

King Solomon shall be blessed - He seems to think that, while such bad men remained unpunished, the nation could not prosper; that it was an act of justice which God required him to perform, in order to the establishment and perpetuity of his throne. read more

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