1 Kings 1:40 - Exposition

And all the people came up after him [same expression as 1 Kings 1:35 . The procession, the sound of the trumpets, etc; had collected a large crowd, which followed Solomon on his return], and the people piped [Heb. were piping ] with pipes [pipes or flutes were used on occasions of rejoicing ( Isaiah 5:12 ; Isaiah 30:29 . Cf. 1 Samuel 10:5 ), and so of mourning ( Jeremiah 48:36 ; Matthew 9:23 ). It is true that a very slight change ( מְחֹלְלִיף בְּחלִים instead of מִחַלְּלִים בַּחֲלִלִים ) will give the meaning, "dancing with dances," which Ewald prefers, on the ground that " all the people" could not have produced their pipes at a moment's notice. But the objection loses its force when it is observed (Rawlinson) that the text implies that only some of the people piped. " All the people came up … and the people, " etc. Besides, even if it were not so, some allowance is surely to be made for Eastern hyperbole. And the received text is to be preferred on other grounds. The LXX ; however, has ἐχόρευον ἐν χοροῖς ], and rejoiced with great joy [Hebrews "were rejoicing a great joy"], and the earth rent [this is certainly a strangly hyperbolical expression. For בָּקַע strictly means to cleave asunder, tear open (see, e.g; Numbers 16:31 ; Amos 1:13 ; 2 Chronicles 25:12 ). And Thenius suggests a slight emendation of the text, viz; וַתִּתָּקַע ( i.e; "resounded") for וַתִּבָּקַע which would obviate this difficulty. He points out that while the LXX . Cod. Vat. has ἐρράγη , some versions have ἤχησεν , and the Vulg. insonuit. But perhaps it is safer to keep to the lectio ardua ] with the sound of them [Heb. "with their voices"].