1 Kings 1:1 - Exposition

Now [Hebrews and , but "now" more nearly expresses the import of the original, for ו has here little or no connecting force. It is commonly found at the beginning of a book (as in Exodus, Leviticus, Joshua, Judges, 2 Samuel, Ruth, etc.), and that where there is no connection whatever with any earlier writing (as in Esther, Ezekiel, Jonah, etc.) It can hardly imply, therefore, "that the historian regards his work as a continuation of a preceding history" (Rawlinson), nor is there any need to suppose that it has been taken from a writing containing the earlier history of David." Keil] King [Hebrews the king. The frequent use of this title, "King David," "King Solomon," "King Asa," etc; is characteristic of our author. The expression is not unknown in 2 Samuel, but it occurs so rarely as to constitute a distinction (not a link, as Wordsworth) between that book and the Kings.] David was old [yet 2 Samuel 5:4 , 2 Samuel 5:5 , shows that he cannot have been more than seventy. (He was thirty at his accession; his reign at Hebron lasted seven years and a half; at Jerusalem thirty-three years.) Rawlinson says, "the Jews at this time were not long lived." Certainly, the Jewish kings were not. Only David, Solomon, and Manasses exceeded threescore] and stricken [Hebrews gone, i.e; advanced] in years. [A common expression, only found with זָקֵן as in Genesis 18:11 ; Genesis 24:1 ; Joshua 13:1 , etc.] And they covered him with clothes [lit. coverings. בֶּגֶד is used of any covering, whether of the person ( Genesis 39:12 ; 1 Kings 22:10 ), or the bed ( 1 Samuel 19:13 ), or even a table ( Numbers 4:6 ). Indeed, the outer garment was used, at least by the poor, for a covering at night ( Exodus 22:27 ). The context (verse 47) shows that bed clothes are intended here] but he gat no heat. [A common experience of the aged. David's early hardships and later sorrows and anxieties appear to have aged him prematurely. Possibly he was also afflicted with disease.]