A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Volume 3 · Commentary on 1 and 2 Kings · Chapter 2
1 Kings CHAP. II.
COntains the expiration of David's Kingdom, and the Initiation of Solomon's.
N. B. Which two Kingdoms were a moſt lively reſemblance and repreſentation of the two Churches, Militant on Earth, and Triumphant in Heaven. David's Kingdom was a Kingdom full of Wars, and abounding with many troubles and much perſecution, wherein it was a figure of the Church Militant: But in Solomon's Reign the Kingdom of Iſrael came to its foreign, or higheſt aſcenſion, being accompliſhed with both the ſublimeſt Civil Peace, and moſt Religious Felicity in Temple-Worſhip, wherein it repreſented the Glory of the Church Triumphant.
Thus Benaiah had prayed [The Lord make Solomon's Throne greater than the Throne of David] Chap. 1. v. 37. and God heard his Prayer, and ſaid [Amen] to it, and ſet his [Fiat] upon it, let it be ſo.
This Second Chapter conſiſts of two General Parts, the firſt is, in Removendo prohibentia, the taking away of thoſe turbulent perſons that oppoſed Solomon's Kingdom: and the ſecond is, in applicando adjutoria, the applying of thoſe means that might eſtabliſh Solomon upon his Throne; this follows as the fruit of that.
In the Firſt Part, we find Solomon's removal of four impediments, namely, Adonijah, Abiathar, Joab, and Shimei, who were all four as Rubs and Remora's in his way to the Throne.
Remarks upon his removing the firſt Remora, to wit, Adonijah.
The Firſt is, The foundation that Dying David laid in his Son Solomon for the removing of all obſtructions to his Reign in the General; and this David did in his Admonition to his Son, v. 1, to v. 9. wherein,
Mark Firſt, David's Days drew night that he ſhould dye. A day is one of the ſhorteſt dates of time, but long enough to decipher Man's Life by, which is call'd but a Day, then the Night of Death ſucceeds it.
Mark Secondly, Grace like good Liquor ran freſh to the bottom in David's Divine Soul, and had moſt lively actings in him, when Nature was much decayed and almoſt dead [going the way of all the Earth] Heb. 9.27.
Mark Thirdly, The words of Dying Men are Living Oracles: Therefore hath this Argument been oft uſed in Scripture-Record [theſe laſt words of mine let them ſink into your Souls] as the Patriarch Jacob, Gen. 48.21. and General Joſhua, Joſh. 23.14. and the Apoſtle Peter, 2 Pet. 1.13. So David did to his Son, [behold I am a dying Man, &c.]
Mark Fourthly, David when dying Admoniſhes his Son Solomon to make up his want of Age (being then but twelve years old) with manly prudence and fortitude, as 1 Cor. 14.20. and do not praevaricate either through fear, favour, or flattery, v. 2, 3, 4. [do thou live by God's Law] Deut. 17, 18. which pure and perfect Rule he propoſed to his Son (ſaith Peter Martyr) rather than his own example, becauſe himſelf had groſly failed, aſſuring him, that true piety would be his beſt policy, and that if he would be but careful to keep the Condition, God would ſurely perform his promiſe, &c.
N. B. Notandum duo fuiſſe Davidi promiſſa, &c. ſaith Peter Martyr here, God made two Promiſes to David, 2 Sam. 7.12.
Firſt, Abſolutely, That the Meſſiah ſhould ſurely ſpring from him, tho' his Sons might prove bad: and the
Second is Conditional; to wit, that the Kingdom of God would keep in his Family, provided his poſterity would prove truly pious; and David therefore cautions his Son, that Kings have many temptations from Paraſites perſwading them that they are above law, and may live as they …, &c. Therefore preſſeth him to keep God's Law as the Condition of the Covenant.
The Second Remark is, This Holy Admonition of Dying David did ſtick faſt in Solomon's Soul, until his declining Age, and put him preſently upon couragious Exploits, when David was dead and gone, Solomon laid aſide all childiſh Diſpoſitions, and began to Act like a Man at full Maturity, with manly Courage againſt Adonijah, from ver. 13, to ver. 25. Wherein Mark
(1.) Adonijah's Ambition was reſtleſs, He deſires to Marry Abiſhag, the laſt Wife of the late King, 'tis ſuppoſed, Joab and Abiathar, adviſed this Ambitioniſt to attempt it, that by her, he might have another pull for the Kingdom, as ver. 22.
Mark (2.) Thoſe two Arch-Rebels Counſel Adonijah to make his Application to Bathſheba, knowing that a Woman is prone to Pity, eaſylier deceived, and prevalent with Men; Bathſheba was ſtartled at his appearance, and well ſhe might be ſo, as knowing him a diſcontented Rebel, and her ſelf the chief Inſtrument that had ſuppreſſed his late Rebellion: Yet He profeſſing Peace to her, ſhe gave him Audience, as well as Admiſſion and Entrance, ver. 13, 14.
Mark (3.) Adonijah's Harangue to her, was [Though the Kingdom was mine by right of Succeſſion, as the Eldeſt Son now alive, Chap. 1.6. and choſen by the People too, ver. 25. but finding that it was thy Son's from the Lord, though I did fooliſhly daſh againſt that Decree, in ſaying I will be King, yet now can I be content to want it, ſo I may but have Abiſhag for my Wife, and ſeeing I know a Mother may do much with a Son, I pray thee prevail with the King to grant it, ver. 15, 16, 17.]
Mark (4.) Bathſheba, though a Wiſe Woman, the Grand-Daughter of Achitophel (as above) was wheadled into a compliance with his plauſible pretences: This Story of his Love to Abiſhag (ſaith Grotius) did too eaſily captivate this Wiſe Woman's Judgement: This Love-Tale ſo blinded her womanly Wit, that ſhe could not diſcern this Ambitioniſt's drift and deſign, namely to ſupplant her Son Solomon out of the Throne, hence was ſhe too facile and forward to gratifie him, ver. 17, 18.
Mark (5.) She Addreſſes to the King, who received her with the due Veneration of a Son to a Mother, bowing to Her, and placing Her on a Throne upon his Right Hand, then ſhe told her Son, He muſt needs grant her a ſmall Petition, &c. ſo ſhe call'd it, not ſmelling the Rat, though it was contrary to the Law, Lev. 18.7. yet ſhe might think it practicable, becauſe David had not known her, ſo ſhe begs for him, ver. 19, 20, 21.
Mark (6.) Sagacious Solomon, ſaw the Depth of the Deſign, and that the Hand of Joab was in the Plot, yea, and of Abiathar alſo, even at the very firſt proſpect of the Propoſal, which made him turn ſo ſhort upon his Mother (to whom he had dutifully promiſed [I will not ſay thee nay] in any reaſonable Requeſt, &c.) But this Requeſt Solomon (in his prodigious Prudence God had given Him) ſaw through this Project, that it was not ſo much for Abiſhag, as for the Kingdom, and therefore ſaith [Ask for him the Kingdom alſo] ver. 22. for that is it he gapeth after, and to patch his crack'd Title to the Crown, He would marry the late King's Concubine, (as 2 Sam. 3.7. and 12.8. and 16.21.) who was probably now grown Gracious with the great ones at Court, &c. ver. 22, 23.
The Third Remark is, Solomon being now ſatisfied, that a new Conſpiracy was in Hatching by Adonijah, Abiathar and Joab, againſt Him; falls immediately upon a vigorous Proſecution of the Plotting Conſpirators. Whether be ſaw this new Villany in its Embryo, by any ſecret Inſtinct of God's Spirit (as ſome ſuppoſe) or by Information of Prudent and Faithful Friends, is uncertain. However He takes this for an Indication, and the firſt overt-Act of Treaſon againſt him, ver. 24, 25. Solomon having pardon'd his former palpable Treaſon only upon his good Behaviour, Chap. 1.52. And now this new over preſumptuous Act, reviving his former Guilt, he is that Day executed, becauſe delaies be dangerous.
The Fourth Remark is, Abiathar's Puniſhment by Death for his High Treaſon, is mitigated and remitted into a bare Baniſhment, ver. 26, 27. His Crime had been publick and open before in conſpiring with Adonijah, Chap. 1.7, 9. And now again, he had been dabbling Elbow-deep in a new Conſpiracy, as Wiſe Solomon well perceived, ver. 22. here, therefore was He judged, and not without a double deſert and demerit (ſaith Peter Martyr) Solomon firſt depoſeth him from his Office of High Prieſthood, and then baniſh'd him from Jeruſalem (where the High-Prieſt was always reſident, both as Chief of the Sanhedrim, Ruler over the Prieſts, and a Counſellour to the King) unto his Field in Anathoth, Joſh. 21.18. There to lead a Private …fe.
N. B. (1.) With Peter Martyr, in ſacred Hiſtory we never Read, that High-Prieſts did depoſe Kings (as the High-Prieſt of Rome hath often done) but that Kings have depoſed High-Prieſts as here; and Grotius ſaith the ſame, and that they are but Subjects and ſtand when the King ſits.
N. B. (2.) Mercy ought to be mingled with Juſtice, where any Merit may be formerly found: Thus Solomon mitigateth Abiathar's Puniſhment, who in rigour of Law was no better than a dead Man, as well as Adonijah and Joab here, but Solomon to requite his former kindneſs to his Father David (both in bearing the Ark before him, 2 Sam. 15.24, 29. 1 Chron. 15.11, 12. And in being a Fellow-ſufferer with him, 1 Sam. 22.20.) only baniſhes him, to teach Princes not to write Injuries in Marble, and Benefits in Sand or Water, &c.
N. B. (3.) The Scripture cannot be broken, John 20.35. But muſt be fulfilled, Matth. 26.54. Luk. 24.44. So God's threatning againſt the Houſe of Eli, 1 Sam. 2.31, 35. was here accompliſhed, namely, the Tranſlation of the High Prieſthood from the Line of Ithamar in E…i and Abiathar, to the Line of Eleazar in Zadok: Ambroſe ſaith, Deus tarditatem ſupplicij gravitate compenſat: Though Divine Vengeance ſeems ſometimes to come ſlow with leaden feet, yet is it always ſure, and comes to ſtrike with its Iron hands, which drench deep were they fall. This Doom had lain dormant for eighty Years, betwixt Eli and Abiathar, who muſt be now puniſh'd for his Treaſon, and ſo accompliſh that Divine Doom, &c.
The Fifth Remark is, Solomon's removing of Joab out of his way with more rigour of Juſtice, ver. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.
Mark (1.) David had caution'd Solomon particularly againſt Joab, ver. 5, 6. complaining what he had done againſt David, either directly in his over Inſolent and Imperious Carriage, trampling upon the King's commands, when they comply'd not with his Humour or Intereſt, who hath oft provok'd me to Paſſion, 2 Sam. 3.39. and 19.7, &c. or Indirectly done to me, in his baſely Butchering Abner and Amaſa, to both which I had given my publick Faith for their Security, and that when they were about a Treaty of Peace with all the Tribes, &c. Therefore I refer him under this black Brand to thy Wiſdom, though he hath been my General this forty Years, yet let him not Dye a natural Death.
N. B. Some Rabbins ſay, Joab had diſcover'd Ʋriah's Letters to David's great Diſgrace, and therefore could never be reconciled to Him, for diſcloſing his Secrets about contriving Ʋriah's Death: But 'tis more probable, that his putting Abſalom to Death ſtill ſtuck in his Stomach.
Mark (2.) Joab hearing of the Execution of Adonijah, and of the Expulſion of Abiathar, two of his fellow Arch-Rebels, He being the Third, and the worſt too, both as being ſo ſtigmatiz'd and branded by David to his Son (whereof He might have ſome notice) whereas Adonijah (now executed) had not been ſo infamouſly Characterized as himſelf was, and alſo as being look'd upon by Solomon with a Squint eye, becauſe Joab had deſpiſed him, and held him unworthy to Reign, not only for his ſcandalous Birth, but alſo for his Childiſh Youth, therefore deſpairing of any Mercy, He ran to the Horns of the Altar, ver. 28. that they might puſh away all Executioners of Juſtice from him, and that ſacred place might ſave him, as it had done Adonijah, Chap. 1.50.
N. B. Chriſt ſeems to blame Pilate for killing the Galileans at the Altar, Luk. 13.1, 2. And the Jews for ſlaying Zacharias there, Matth. 23.35.
Mark (3.) Solomon ſends Benaiah to call him thence, Joab diſobeys the King's command, hoping that the King would not dare to pollute that Holy Place with his Blood; but his Hope, being that of an Hypocrite, was no better than the giving up of the Ghoſt, Job 11.20. which is but Cold Comfort. He reſolves to dye there, hoping alſo it might be ſome advantage to his Soul, but wilful Murtherers (ſuch as he had been) muſt have no Mercy ſhewn them by God's Law, Exod. 21.14.
Mark (4.) 'Tis ſuppoſed that Joab was haled by force from the Horns of the Altar, according to the Direction of that Law of God, Exod. 21.14. and then ſlain, both as a pattern to all wilful Murderers not to expect Protection any where, and alſo to expiate the Blood of Abner and Amaſa from David, who was Innocent of it. Joab dies for it, and is buried, and Benaiah put in his place, ver. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.
The Sixth Remark is, Solomon's confining of Shimei, ver. 36, to 40.
Mark (1.) David's Caution to his Son concerning him, ver. 8.9. was not out of any Rancorous or revengeful Spirit, wherewith David as a private Perſon durſt not Dye; and from which canker'd frame, many Paſſages in David's Pſalms, and in the Hiſtory of his Life, do demonſtrate his Freedom.
N. B. But this Charge he gave as a publick Magiſtrate, to maintain the Honour and Order of Civil Government: This Curſing Shimei had Curſed the King with bitter Curſes, 2 Sam. 16.7, 8, &c. For which Abiſhai would have ſlain him once and again, and though David then patiently ſubmitted to it, as ſent of God, and afterwards pardon'd it for his Part, 2 Sam. 19.21, 23. Yet leaves it to Solomon's Wiſdom to Judge of this Publick malicious Fault, and to puniſh him for it at his committing future Offences. This Advice was not contrary to David's Oath, for then there had been no need of Solomon's Wiſdom to find out an occaſion for the Future, to which his turbulent Spirit will expoſe him, to be paid home for the new and old together.
Mark (2.) Solomon confines Him to Jeruſalem at diſtance from his own Countrey and Kindred, amongſt whom he might have rais'd ſome Tumults againſt the Government, He muſt not ſtir out of the City, neither Eaſtward to Baburim (his old Habitation) nor Weſtward to Gath, no way ſo far diſtant as the Brook Kidron is from Jeruſalem, if he did he was a dead Man, ver. 36, 37.
N. B. How happy would Abiathar have thought himſelf in Shimei's Confinement, of whom for his Function's ſake, and his ſufferings with David, we read not, that any doleful Cataſtrophe attended him, as did all his Fellow-Criminals. Thus the Lord chaſtizes his own Children, that they might not be condemned with the World, 1 Cor. 11.31. But this Curſing curſed Shimei muſt not be truſted any farther than he may be ſeen, He is kept within compaſs here, cloſe confined.
N. B. Oh that we could learn to deal ſo with our own deceitful Hearts, and deſperately Wicked, Jer. 17.9. He that truſts his own Heart is a Fool, Prov. 28.26.
Mark (3:) This Confinement Shimei thankfully owned when impoſed upon him, as a Favour far more than he either expected or deſerved, and therefore promiſed upon Oath to perform it, ver. 38, 39, 42, 43. (where Solomon chargeth him with breaking his Oath) his falſe Heart praiſed this Law for it's Lenity, and promiſed Obedience without any Heſitancy, yea and perform'd it likewiſe without failure for three Years together, ver. 39. but then he broke the bonds of his Promiſe and Oath, and outrun the bounds of his Confinement: The occaſion was, [two of Shimei's Servants ran from him to Gath.]
N. B. Achiſh (in requital of old kindneſs to David, 1 Sam. Chap. 27, and 28.) Though Tributary now to Iſrael, was allowed to retain the Title of King, yet durſt not detain Shimei's Servants, that fled to him for Protection.
Mark (4.) Now was the time that Divine Vengeance ſurely found out Shimei's Sin, and his Sin him, as Numb. 32.23. Shimei is left of God to his own Folly and foul hardineſs, to attempt this moſt highly dangerous, and deſperate Journey from Jeruſalem, to fetch back his Servants, being blinded both with the Duſt of Avarice, and with Rage againſt them, and withal Hoping, that either he might go with that Secrecy, as it might never reach Solomon's Ears, or that the length of three Years time had worn out his Confinement out of Solomon's Mind and Memory: Or at the worſt Solomon would not be ſo ſevere upon him, in a Caſe of ſuch neceſſity, altogether without contempt of his Authority, ſo he ventures to Saddle his Aſs, &c. ver. 40.
Mark (5.) Now a deceiving, and a deceived Heart turned Shimei aſide, Iſa. 44.20. The Pride of his Heart deceived him, Obad. ver. 3. and both He and it ſtarted aſide like a deceitful bow, Pſal. 78.57. both David by his diſcerning Spirit, and Solomon by his Sapience, did eaſily foreſee, that though Shimei had been ſpared by the Father, and now was reprieved by the Son (and not immediately Executed, as Adonijah and Joab were) yet if any ſtrict reſtraint were impoſed upon him by Royal Authority, his reſtleſs and irreligious Spirit, could not contain it ſelf long within Compaſs: And now when a Temptation met kindly with his Corruption, to draw it forth (the Prevention of which Auguſtine thanks God for in his own behalf) then did Shimei break the Bridle wherewith Solomon had reſtrain'd him.
The Seventh Remark is, The Execution of Shimei, for breaking the Covenant of his Confinement by King Solomon, ver. 40, to 45.
Mark (1.) Shimei had Judg'd Solomon's Clemency to be moſt generous towards him, in not ſlaying him outright with Joab and Adonijah, but only in confining ſo great a Criminal to the chief City of the Land (wherein many Countrey Gentlemen are ambitious to inhabit) and not to be doomed to any cloſe Impriſonment in Jeruſalem; but only not to paſs over the Brook Kidron, which was about a Mile from the City: So Shimei had both Liberty and ſpace enough to walk abroad for his Health and Recreation: Yet all this cannot content him, when two of his Servants (who likely had agreed in ſome Evil) ran from him to Gath, being probably Philiſtines, &c.
Mark (2.) Some informed Shimei, that his Servants were ſeen in Gath, if this was told him for recovering them again, then was it from good Will; but if to enſnare Shimei in the breach of his Oath, then was it ill Will and Envy. However this iufatuted Aſs, ventures upon his Aſs for ſpeed, will get his Servants, though he loſe his Life.
N. B. Worldling's cry out of this Folly, yet imitate it: Worldly things are Men's Servants by God's appointment, Pſal. 8.6. They oft run from man, he breaks the bounds (ſet him by God's Law) commonly to catch them again, though he periſh for it for ever.
Mark (3.) As Shimei heard of his Servants and caught them, ſo Solomon heard of what Shimei had done, and calls him: Kings have long Ears, and more Eyes than their own: Poſſibly Solomon (ſaith Peter Martyr) ſet a watch over Shimei, privily and undiſcern'd: Upon this Information Shimei is ſummoned, ver. 41, 42. Solomon, like a wiſe and a juſt Judge, expoſtulates the Caſe with him, convinces him of his Sin to make him repent (ſaith Peter Martyr) by three Arguments, (1.) His Guilt of Perjury to God. (2.) His Rebellion againſt the King's Command: Which himſelf had confeſs'd to be merciful. And (3.) An Appeal to his own Conſcience, whether he now juſtly did not deſerve Death, when the Lord returns thy old wickedneſs to David upon thine own Head by ſuffering thee to fall into farther Crimes, ver. 43, 44. Shimei has not a Word to ſay for himſelf, &c.
Mark (4.) Shimei is led out of the King's Preſence to the place of Execution, and there Executed: So Solomon like a Pious Son, was as zealous againſt Injuries done to his Father as to himſelf, and accompliſh'd his Father's charge, ver. 9.
This brings in the Second Part only touch'd upon in the General, namely, the eſtabliſhment of Solomon by his Execution of Juſtice upon the contrary Faction: So far was he, from fearing a curſe for ſo doing, he expects it to bring in a Bleſſing, ver. 45, 46. and ver. 12. the Particulars hereof follow in the following Chapters.