Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 2

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  David, having given a charge to Solomon,
3  of religiousness;
5  of Joab;
7  of Barzillai;
8  of Shimei;
10  dies.
12  Solomon succeeds.
13  Adonijah, moving Bath-sheba to sue unto Solomon for Abishag, is put to death.
26  Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood.
28  Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain.
35  Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadok in Abiathar's.
36  Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going thence to Gath, is put to death.
Verse 1

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
the days
Genesis 47:29, Deuteronomy 31:14, 33:1, 2 Timothy 4:6, 2 Peter 1:13-15
charged
Numbers 27:19, Deuteronomy 3:28, 31:23, Acts 20:28-31, 1 Timothy 1:18, 6:13, 2 Timothy 4:1
Verse 2

I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
I go
Joshua 23:14, Job 16:22, 30:23, Psalms 89:48, Hebrews 9:27
be thou
Deuteronomy 17:19,20, 31:6, Joshua 1:6,7, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Ephesians 6:10, 2 Timothy 2:1
and shew
3:7, 2 Samuel 10:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Timothy 4:12
Verse 3

And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
And keep
Deuteronomy 29:9, Joshua 1:7, 22:5, 1 Chronicles 22:12,13, 28:8,9, 29:19
statues
Deuteronomy 4:1,5,8, 5:1, 6:1,2
testimonies
Deuteronomy 4:45, Psalms 19:7, 119:2,111,138
written
Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Malachi 4:4
that thou
Deuteronomy 29:9
prosper
or, do wisely.
Joshua 1:7,8; *marg:; 1 Samuel 18:5,14,30, 2 Chronicles 31:20,21, Psalms 1:2,3, 119:98-100, Proverbs 3:1-4
whithersoever
2 Samuel 8:6,14, 2 Kings 18:7
Verse 4

That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
That the Lord
Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 7:12, 1 Chronicles 28:9, John 15:9,10, Jude 1:20,21,24
his word
2 Samuel 7:11-16,25, 1 Chronicles 17:11-15, 22:9-11, 28:5-7, Psalms 89:29-37, Psalms 132:11,12
walk
3:3,14, 8:23, Genesis 17:1, Leviticus 26:3, 2 Kings 20:3, 23:3,25, 2 Chronicles 17:3, Luke 1:6
with all their heart
Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, 11:13, Matthew 22:37
fail, etc
Heb. be cut off from thee from the throne.
8:25, 2 Samuel 7:12,13,16, Psalms 37:9,22, Zechariah 14:2
Verse 5

Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.
Joab
1:7,18,19, 2 Samuel 3:39, 18:5,12,14, 19:5-7
Abner
2 Samuel 3:27
Amasa
2 Samuel 20:10
Jether
2 Samuel 17:25
Ithra
shed. Heb. put. put.
Jeremiah 2:34, 6:15, Ezekiel 24:7,8
Verse 6

Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
according
9, Proverbs 20:26
let
28-34, Genesis 9:6, Numbers 35:33, Proverbs 28:17, Ecclesiastes 8:11, Isaiah 65:20
in
Genesis 42:38, 2 Kings 22:20, Psalms 37:37, Isaiah 48:22, 57:2,21
Verse 7

But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.
Barzillai
2 Samuel 17:27-29, 19:31-40, Proverbs 27:10
eat
2 Samuel 9:7,10, 19:28, Luke 12:37, 22:28-30, Revelation 3:20,21
when I fled
2 Samuel 15:13-15
Verse 8

And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.
Shimei
36-46, 2 Samuel 16:5-8
grievous
Heb. strong. he came.
2 Samuel 19:16-23, Jeremiah 4:2
Verse 9

Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.
hold him
Do not consider him as an innocent man; for, as thou art a wise man, and knowest how to treat such persons, treat him as he deserves; only, as I have sworn to him that I would not put him to death, "bring not his hoar head down to the grave with blood." So Solomon understood David; for, after he had commanded Joab to be slain, in obedience to his father, he sent for Shimei, and knowing he ought to be well watched, he confined him to Jerusalem for the rest of his life: and so it appears David should be understood; for the negative particle lo, in the former clause, "hold him not guiltless," should be repeated in the latter clause, though not expressed; instances of which frequently occur in the Hebrew Scriptures. (See Jud 5:30. 1Sa 2:3. Ps 1:5; 9:18; 38:1; 75:5. Pr 5:16; 24:12, etc.) This is the view taken of the subject by Dr. Kennicott, and it seems the best and most correct mode of interpreting the text.
Exodus 20:7, 22:28, Job 9:28
wise
3:12,28
his
6, Genesis 42:38, 44:31
with
Numbers 32:23
Verse 10

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
So David
1:21, 1 Chronicles 29:28, Acts 2:29, 13:36
the city
3:1, 11:43, 2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Chronicles 11:7
Verse 11

And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
reigned over
2 Samuel 5:4, 1 Chronicles 29:26,27
Verse 12

Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
A. M. 2990. B.C. 1014. An. Ex. Is. 477. sat Solomon
1:46, 1 Chronicles 29:23-25, 2 Chronicles 1:1, Psalms 132:12
his kingdom
2 Samuel 7:12,13,29, Psalms 72:8-20, 89:36,37
Verse 13

And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.
Adonijah
1:5-10,50-53
Comest
1 Samuel 16:4,5, 2 Kings 9:18-22, 1 Chronicles 12:17,18, Luke 10:5,6
Verse 14

He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.
2 Samuel 14:12, Luke 7:40
Verse 15

And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.
Thou knowest
1:5,25, 2 Samuel 15:6,13, 16:18
for it was
2 Samuel 7:12, 12:24, 1 Chronicles 22:9,10, 28:5-7, Proverbs 21:30, Jeremiah 27:5-8, Daniel 2:22
Verse 16

And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.
deny me not
Heb. turn not away my face.
Psalms 132:10, Proverbs 30:7
Verse 17

And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.
Abishag
1:2-4, 2 Samuel 3:7, 12:8
Verse 18

And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.
Well
Proverbs 14:15
Verse 19

Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
rose up
Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3,32
she sat
Psalms 45:9, 110:1, Matthew 25:33
Verse 20

Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.
I desire
Matthew 20:20,21, John 2:3,4
Ask on
Matthew 7:7-11, 18:19, 10:35,36, 11:24, Luke 11:9,10, John 14:13,14, 15:16
Verse 21

And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.
Let Abishag
2 Samuel 16:21,22
Verse 22

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.
why dost
Matthew 20:22, Mark 10:38, James 4:3
the kingdom
1:5-7,11,24,25
Verse 23

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.
God
20:10, Ruth 1:17, 1 Samuel 14:44, 2 Samuel 3:9,35, 19:13, 2 Kings 6:31
if Adonijah
We have already seen, that the whole harem of an eastern monarch was a part of the regal succession (See note on 2 Sa 16:23); and it was treason for a subject to claim any wife or virgin who had once formed a part of it. Solomon evidently considered the request of Adonijah in this light; and was convinced that he was still aiming to seize the crown, to which he considered this as one step. But it is very doubtful, how far the plea either of policy or state necessity can justify Solomon in thus embruing his hands in his brother's blood, whatever might have been his treasonable intentions or conduct.
spoken
Psalms 64:8, 140:9, Proverbs 18:6,7, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Luke 19:22
Verse 24

Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.
as the Lord
1:29
set me
3:6,7, 10:9, 1 Chronicles 29:23, 2 Chronicles 1:8,9
made me
Exodus 1:21, 1 Samuel 25:28, 2 Samuel 7:11-13,27, 1 Chronicles 17:10,17,23, Psalms 127:1
as he promised
1 Chronicles 22:10
put
1:52, Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
Verse 25

And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.
he fell
31,34,46, Judges 8:20,21, 1 Samuel 15:33, 2 Samuel 1:15, 4:12
Verse 26

And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
Abiathar
35, 1:7,25
Anathoth
Joshua 21:18, Isaiah 10:30, Jeremiah 1:1
worthy of death
Heb. a man of death.
1 Samuel 26:16, 2 Samuel 12:5; *marg:
barest
1 Samuel 22:20-23, 23:6-9, 2 Samuel 15:24,29, 1 Chronicles 15:11,12
hast been
2 Samuel 15:24-29, Matthew 10:42, Luke 22:28, Galatians 3:4
Verse 27

So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
So Solomon
This was for having taken part with Adonijah; but by it a remarkable prophecy was fulfilled. God had told Eli, (1 Sa 2:30-36) that the priesthood should depart from his house; Abiathar was the last of the priests of Ithamar, of which family was Eli the high priest. Zadok, who succeeded, was of the family of Eleazar; and by this change the priesthood reverted to its ancient channel.
that he
1 Samuel 2:30-36, 3:12-14, Matthew 26:56, John 12:38, 19:24,28,36,37
Shiloh
Joshua 18:1, Psalms 78:60, Jeremiah 7:12-14
Verse 28

Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
Joab had
1:7, Deuteronomy 32:35, 2 Samuel 18:2,14,15
caught
1:50, Exodus 27:2
Verse 29

And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
he is by
Exodus 21:14, Ezekiel 9:6, 1 Peter 4:17
Go
25,31,46
Verse 31

And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.
Do
Exodus 21:14
that thou
Genesis 9:5,6, Numbers 35:33, Deuteronomy 19:12,13, 21:8,9, 2 Kings 9:26, Proverbs 28:17, Acts 28:4
which
and from
2 Samuel 3:28
Verse 32

And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
return
44, Genesis 4:11, Judges 9:24,57, Psalms 7:16
two men
2 Samuel 3:27, 20:10
more righteous
1 Samuel 15:28, 2 Samuel 4:11, 2 Chronicles 21:13, Esther 1:19
my father
2 Samuel 3:26,37
Abner
2 Samuel 3:27
Amasa
2 Samuel 20:10
Jether
5, 2 Samuel 17:25
Ithra
Verse 33

Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the LORD.
return upon
32, 2 Samuel 3:29, 2 Kings 5:27, Psalms 101:8, 109:6-15, Matthew 27:25
upon David
2 Samuel 3:28, Proverbs 25:5
his house
Psalms 89:29,36,37, 132:12, Isaiah 9:6,7, 11:1-9, Luke 1:31-33, 2:14
Verse 34

So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
Benaiah
25,31,46
and fell
It appears that he slew him at the very altar. The altar was so sacred among all the people, that, in general, even the vilest wretch found safety, if he once reached it. This led to many abuses, and the perversion of public justice; and God decreed (Ex 24:14) that the presumptuous murderer, who had taken refuge at his altar, should be dragged thence and put to death.
buried
2 Kings 21:18, 2 Chronicles 33:20
in the
Joshua 15:61, Matthew 3:1
Verse 35

And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.
in his room
Job 34:24
Zadok
27, Numbers 25:11-13, 1 Samuel 2:35, 1 Chronicles 6:4-15,50-53, 24:3, Psalms 109:8, Acts 1:20
Verse 36

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.
Shimei
8,9, 2 Samuel 16:5-9, Proverbs 20:8,26
Build
No doubt Solomon suspected that Shimei's influence would be dangerous upon his own estate and among his numerous dependents in different parts of the land; and therefore he proposed to him, as the condition of his indemnity for former crimes, that he should live in Jerusalem under his eye, and by no means remove thence. These terms Shimei readily agreed to, and solemnly swore to observe them; and for three years he lived unmolested and in affluence. But growing secure, in contempt of Solomon's authority and of the oath of God, upon an unnecessary business he took a journey, which according to his own engagement forfeited his life. Thus the Lord left him to be infatuated, that due punishment might be inflicted upon him; in order that every ringleader of opposition to Solomon's kingdom might be crushed, and others be intimidated by their examples. Solomon's throne by the death of this man was established in peace, and became a type of the Redeemer's kingdom of peace and righteousness.--SCOTT.
1:53, 2 Samuel 14:24,28
Verse 37

For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
over the
15:13, 2 Samuel 15:23, 2 Kings 23:6, 2 Chronicles 29:16, Jeremiah 31:40, John 18:1
Cedron
thy blood.
31,33, Leviticus 20:9, Joshua 2:19, 2 Samuel 1:16, Ezekiel 18:13
Verse 38

And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
The saying
20:4, 2 Kings 20:19
Verse 39

And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.
A. M. 2993. B.C. 1011. An. Ex. Is. 480. Achish
1 Samuel 21:10, 27:2,3
Verse 40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.
arose
Proverbs 15:27, Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:10
Verse 42

And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.
Did I not
36-38, Psalms 15:4, Luke 19:22
and thou saidst
Luke 15:22
Verse 43

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?
Why
2 Samuel 21:2, Ezekiel 17:18,19
commandment
2 Chronicles 30:12, Ecclesiastes 8:2, Romans 13:5
Verse 44

The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;
Thou knowest
2 Samuel 16:5-13, John 8:9, Romans 2:15, 1 John 3:20
return
32,33, Psalms 7:16, Proverbs 5:22, Ezekiel 17:19, Hosea 4:9; *marg:
Verse 45

And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.
blessed
Psalms 21:6, 72:17
the throne
24,33,34, Proverbs 25:5, Isaiah 9:6,7
Verse 46

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
the kingdom
12,45, 2 Chronicles 1:1, Proverbs 29:4

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