1 Kings 1:12 - Exposition

Now therefore come, let me give [Hebrews counsel ] t hee counsel, that thou mayest save [Hebrews and save, i.e; by acting upon it] thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. The custom of Eastern kings—to secure their thrones by a massacre of their rivals—has received many illustrations, notably among the Ottomans, and is receiving one in Burmah at the present moment. We have Scripture instances in 9:5 ; 1 Kings 15:29 ; 2 Kings 10:7 , 2 Kings 10:14 ; 2 Kings 11:1 (cf. 1 Samuel 24:21 ). To put a royal mother to death, along with her offspring, though perhaps unusual, was not unknown. Rawlinson cites the instances of Cleopatra, widow of Philip of Macedon, who was murdered with her infant son Caranus by Olympias; and Roxana, widow of Alexander the Great, who, with her son, was put to death by Cassander. Nathan does not say this will be, but may be, Bathsheba's fate.