Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 1 Kings · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
NOW King David waxed old, and they covered him with cloathes, but he gat no heate.] 1 Chron. 22, this being omitted V. 1.and what else followeth in this chapter, it is shewed, how David provided for the building of the Lords house, and spake of the youth of Salomon his sonne and of the greatnesse of this worke, &c. for all related in that chapter and thenceforth to the end of 1 Chron. must needs be yeelded to have been done after the inauguration of Salomon to the Kingdome, because David speaketh of Salomons building the Temple, which was not made known to the people till after the said inauguration, the manner of which is set forth here. For although David had long before determined, and God had so appointed, that Salomon should reigne after him, yet hereby it appeareth, that the very Princes knew not of it, because Ioab and Abiathar went with Adonijah to make him King, as thinking that of right it belonged to him, as to Davids eldest sonne then living, and not knowing any thing to the contrary.
To begin then with the history of this chapter, as being first in order, David is here said to have been old, viz. 70. as may be gathered from 2 Sam. 5. 4, 5. But touching his coldnes at this age, because it was extraordinary, divers conjecture diversly. The Rabbins say, that it was a punishment layd upon him, that no cloathes could keepe him hot, because he once cut off the lap of Sauls garment. Tostatus, that he had the palsie; some that this coldnesse came upon him, when he saw the Tostatus. R. Samuel. Lyra yeeldeth 3. of these reasons, his losse of blood, when in warre he received many wounds. 2. his feare at the sight of the angel. 3. his offence in cutting off his Lords garment in the cave.Angel with his sword stretched over Ierusalem: others impute it to the losse of his blood in warre, and some to the old age of his parents, when he was begotten. But the true cause indeed was partly his great paines taken in his youth, and the hardship which he endured in body, when he fled from Saul, and lived sometime in one place, and sometime in another ten yeeres together, enduring the brunts of many warres; partly the trouble of his minde being often in great streights, and much perplexed for his childrens wickednesse; partly many sicknesses, as we may gather from divers of his Psalmes, all which together wasted and dryed up his radicall heat, whereupon this coldnesse ensued. But though he were cold in body, his understanding continued good still, as appeareth by his wisely ordering of every thing about the Temple, and the speeches made by him to his sonne Salomon and to his Princes before his death, although the coldnesse of old age is generally observed by the Physitians to be a duller of the wit, whereby they, that are very aged become foolish and doting. But as Martyr noteth, not onelyonly David was kept from this, but also many others, who were very wise and judicious in age. Plato wrote at 80 yeares of age, and Isocrates at 95. and Pythagoras, Xenocrates, and Democritus, and Sophocles; likewise Themistocles in his old age grieved that he must dye, when he began to be wise.
His servants seeing that no clothes could heat him, propounded another way that is, a young Virgin to be brought unto him to lye in his bosom, and so Abishag V. 2, 3.a faire Virgin was brought unto him, and shee ministred unto him, &c. These his servants are generally held to be his Physitia…▪ who being carefull of his good, would have this remedy provided against hi…ordinary coldnesse. If it be demanded, whether it were lawfull? It is ans…▪ that without doubt he took her to wife for he had put away his concubines ev…e Absaloms defiling of them, and his wife Bathshebah and others, whom he had formerly taken, were probably Hieronym.too old to supply this his defect by lying with him. Yet Jerom holding it absurd to understand this to bee done according to the letter, expoundeth it altogether allegorically, of wisedome, which in his old age hee had, and the heat of zeal warming him, when his body was so cold. But both Lyra, and Martyr and Lyra. Martyr.other Expositours confute this, because Adonijah afterwards desired this woman to wife. And it is added, the King knew her not, to shew that although she lay in his bosom and cherished him, yet nature being now spent, he had no camall knowledge of her, but only he took her for his necessitie to wife, and this she weth, that she was a true woman according to the letter. That he took her to wife is the opinion of all Expositours, but onelyonly of Tostatus, who seemeth to be of another minde, but whether this fact be justifiable in David is doubted: because it was … injury to the woman, forasmuch as he was not now able to do the office of an husband. Martyr saith, that if she knowing the case consented, she was not injur…, and it might be thought, that by physicall helps having her he might come to more heat and strength. Lastly, it was for the good of the kingdom.
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith advanced himself, and said, I will be king, … V. 5.prepared him chariets and hersemen and 50. men to run before him. He trod in the very steps of Absalom, and accordingly was soon cut off, as he was well worthy for his ambition. The thing that put him on to this ambition, was his fathers indulgence, who it is said never reproved him, v. 6. and his priority in age, for he was V. 6.the eldest now living, being next to Absalom, and beautifull as he. When Ely was thus indulgent to his sonnes, the Lord dealt more severely with him, but their wickednesse indeed was greater to the bringing of Gods service into contempt. But it was doubtlesse a sinne in David to wink at his sonnes wickednesse, for he could not be ignorant of his ambitious proceedings, although some think that he knew not of it, because v. 11. Nathan said to Bathshebah, Adonijah reigneth and David is ignorant of it. But although he knew not of that particular, it proveth not, that he was ignorant of his preparations of chariots and horsemen, &c. For although he came not abroad, it is most probable that some about him told him of it. Whereas some excuse David, although he knew of it, saying, that being his eldest son he might permit him this pomp, not fuspecting to what it tended: for so soon as he heard of his usurping the kingdom, he opposed him. It is answered by P. Martyr.Martyr, and others, that he should have called him in question about it, especially seeing that Absalom had made the like preparations before to the same end. The assistants of Adonijah were chiefly Ioab, and Abiathar; Ioab the Captain of the V. 7.Host took part with him, because he feared, if he stayed, till David appointed his Lyra.successour in the Kingdom, it would go ill with him in respect of his great wickednesse against the will of the King in slaying Abner, Absalom and Amasa, to prevent which he thought it his wisest way to provide for his own safetie by setting up another King, whose favour he might by this means make sure unto him. But on Gods part, he permitted it, that Ioab at length might come to the punishment which he had deserved. Abiathar the high priest also took part with him, because, as the Hebrews say, since the time of Absaloms conspiracie, the Lord had not given answer by him, wherefore he feared that he should be put down from the high-priesthood, if another King were made without him. But on Gods part, he permitted it, that his threatning against the family of Ely, of which he was, might be fulfilled; occasion being hereby taken to remove the priesthood from him to Zadok. Moreover they saw that David was now so feeble, that they thought he could make no resistance to their proceedings, and Solomon, if they knew of the Kings determination to make him King was so young, that they feared not him, he being now, as the Hebrews say but 12. years old. Yet by Gods providence there was a division amongst the great ones of the land, for Nathan the Prophet, and Zadok and Benajah, and other mightie men of David were not for Adonijah with them, and so V. 8.they were disappointed of their purpose, as hereafter is shewed.
And Adonijah sacrificed oxen and sheep, and other fat things by the stone of Zoheleth V. 9.near to En Rogel, and …vited all his brethren the kings sons, and the men of V. 10.Iudah the kings servants; exc… Nathan, &c. and Solomon. Of En Rogel see before, 2 Sam. 17. 17. it was not farre from Ierusalem. Adonijah for the more prosperous beginning of his raign pretended pietic by sacrificing, but God abhorreth Prov. 15. 8.such sacrificing, and by feasting the people with him he sought to win the more love. But such as he suspected would not consent to his proceedings, he invited not unto it, as Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, &c.
And Nathan said to Bathshebah Solomons mother, &c. Here follow the means, V. 11.whereby God overthrew all the preparations of ambitious Adonijah, and advanced Solomon the sooner to the Kingdom, which he had promised him. It was not by the means of men of might, but by Nathan a prophet and Bathshebah, a woman, weak instruments, and such as he and his companie doubtlesse contemned, accounting her no better then an adulteresse, and Solomon for whom she and the prophet stood, no better, then the son of one infamous for whoredom and unworthy to reign over them. But they knew well enough, that they did but kick against the pricks, in seeking to frustrate Gods determination, of which it appeareth, that they were not ignorant, because amongst all his brethren Adonijah left Solomon alone out, as a competitour of the kingdom, when, he invited them; for the appointing of Solomon to be King is expresly mentioned, 1 Chron, 22. 9. See here as Martyr observeth, how God by weak means confoundeth the mightie, and worketh for the P. Martyr.Note. accomplishment of his own will, and the more the wicked enemies of such as God loveth labour to hinder their advancement, by his over-ruling power their contrary endeavours are made to work for the hastening thereof. But what did Nathan say to Bathshebah? he counselled her to go in to the King, and to tell him of V. 12, 13.Adonijah his usurping the kingdome, and to urge him with his oath, whereby he had sworn unto her, that her son Solomon should be king after him. When David took this oath, it is no where said, but it is plain, that he did, for he acknowledgeth it v. 30. Of the Rabbins conceit hereupon see before, 2 Sam. 12. 24. The reason why Nathan was so carefull for Solomon, was because he knew it to be the will of God, that he should be king, and happily Bathshebah had told him of Davids oath made unto her, and it is thought, that Solomon was by David committed to his tuition, that he might by the instructions of so holy a man be the better fitted to manage such weightie affairs, as he was destined unto. Pellican thinketh that he having fore-told unto the King, that Solomon, whom he was sent to call Iedidiah, Pellican.should reign after him and build God an house, David the King thereupon making that oath, was now sent to remember him of these things, that he might do accordingly.
Bathshebah then going in to the King, after due reverence done speaks unto him, V. 15. V. 22, 23, 24, &c.as Nathan had directed her, and hereupon Nathan also came in and seconded her, so as that the king sware again, that Solomon should reign. Then Bathshebah doing low reverence the second time prayed, that the king might live for ever, that is, as Pellican, in the world to come, for she saw that he could not live long in this; for although the everlasting life be but little spoken of in the old Testament, yet it is not to be doubted, but that the faithfull then had the hope thereof, as we now have.
Then the King commanded to call unto him Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah, and V. 32. 33.he said, take the servants of your Lord, and set Solomon my sonne upon my mule, &c. By the servants of their Lord he meant the Cherethites and Pelethites, which were his guard, of whom Benaiah was Captain, 2 Sam. 8. 18. and therefore when they went according to Davids direction to anoint Solomon King, it is said, Then went Zadok, Natan, Benaiah, and the Cherethites and Pelethites, vers. 38. see the same phrase also, 2 Sam. 20. 7. The place, to which he would have them bring Solomon to anoint him, was Gihon, and the same, saith Pellican, was also called Pellican. The Cald. cals it Siloah.Shiloh, where waters ran continually, and to this place he would have him brought to be anointed, to shew the perpetuitie of his kingdom, as the waters there did run perpetually; and he must be anointed by the priest and the Prophet, as Samuel had before anointed Saul and David, both to shew the graces of the spirit, with which the king must be indued, and also that he should be subject and ready to hearken to the priests and prophets instructions, who could best inform him of the will of God. And he would have him to ride upon his own mule, and to be guarded by his servants to shew, that it was done by his authoritic, that all the people might take notice of it, and the more readily obey and follow him; for it was unlawfull for any man to ride upon the Kings mule, but onelyonly for the King. And to the same end he would have the trumpet sounded, and lastly acclamations added, God save King Solomon; The grace of God which was needfull for him for the good of the kingdom, being thus desired by all. Martyr by his anointing in this P. Martyr.place, where the waters come from the foot of mount Sion, and are said to run softly, understandeth the condition of a King to be set forth, he should govern mildely as much as may be. And for the anointing of Kings, he saith, it was a sacrament instituted of God, and when it was rightly used, hereby guifts were given, whereby Kings were the better inabled to their office. None were anointed, that we read of amongst the Iews before Saul, and after him David; but there had been no need, saith R. Kimhi, and Levi, that his son should have been anointed also, had it not been for Adonijah, the competitour of the kingdom, because the father was anointed not onelyonly for himself, but for his posteritie, but this is onelyonly their conceit.
According to the Kings directions they did; and Solomon was made King and sate upon Davids throne. But of what age he then was, is not agreed amongst V. 38, 39.Expositours. The Hebrews, whom many follow, say that he was but 12. and to this Ierom seemeth to assent, because David said of him, that he was young and Hieronym. epistad Vitalem. 1 Chron. 29. 1.tender. And whereas it is objected, then he must have begotten Rehoboham at 10. or 11. years of age, because he was 40. when Solomon died, and Solomon by this account was at his death but 52. He answereth, that although in the common course of nature one cannot beget a childe so young, yet extraordinarily at some time it may be so done, when God will have it; as he saith in his time a Nurse was gotten with childe by a boy of 10. years old, whom shee lasciviously provoked unto it, for the discovering of her so great wickednes. Others yet hold, that Solomon was not so young, when he entred upon this royall dignity, but 18. or 20. years old: for Tostatus upon that speech of David to him, 1 King. 2. 9. thou art a wise Tostatus. Lyra.man, saith that Solomon was now 17. or 18. years old; Lyra that he was 20; some that he was 24. In the sacred history there is nothing said of his age, when he began to reign, or when he died, but onelyonly that he reigned 40. years, and that in his old age, his wives turned his heart away so as that he served idols; which implieth, that he was an old man, before he died, and therefore certainly 60. at the least. And Iosephus saith nothing of his age when he was made King, but most enoneously Josephus.of his age, when he died, that he was 80. But we may well conjecture, that he could not be so little as 12. when he began his reign, although both Ierem held so, and Euseb. ex Enpolemo, Isidor. de vita sanctor. Ignatius Epist. ad Magnes. &c. for they all took it from the Rabbins, and did not so duly examine it: First, because, as was said before, otherwise he could not have been said by his father to be a wise man, and one that of himself knew what was best to be done. 2. Because he was old some years before he died. 3. Because he begat Rehoboam 41. yeares before the end of his raign, which if it had been at 11. it could not bee without a miracle, and it agreed not with the discretion of his father to marry him so young, or with his sanctimony to be then so libidinous. Lastly, the course of the history from the time of his birth hitherto evinceth, that he was much above 11. For Amnon was hated of Absalom for the abuse offered to Thamar 2. years after his birth; then he slew him and fled and stayed at Geshur 3. yeares, after that he lived apart at Ierusalem 2. years, then by Ioab being brought to David he must needs have 2 yeares at the least for preparation before his rebellion; lastly his rebelling and being subdued, and the Kings returning again to Ierusalem could not be be lesse then 1 yeare, which altogether make 10 yeares. After this followed Shebah his rebelling and being subdned and a famine of 3 yeares; then 4 battels and victories over the Philistians 4 yeares: after which, David being at rest, compiled a song unto God, and ma… great preparations for the temple in 2 yeares at the least; then the people we… numbred and plagued, after all which he being old and cold, for a time his servants sought to heat him otherwise, but at length brought Abishag to him, and when he had kept in thus a year, Adonijah rebelled, and Solomon was set up against him, being by this computation full 20. whereas it is objected that he was young and tender, it is answered, he was so indeed, although of this age, in respect of that office, which he now came unto, and the weighty businesse to be done of building the Temple. When Solomon was anointed King, there being great shouting & rejoycing, and the sound of trumpets, Ioab & they with Adoniiah V. 41.heard it; and enquiring the reason, and understanding, that David had made Solomon King, they were afraid, and fled every man to his own and left Adoniiah, who also fled and laid hold upon the hornes of the Altar. He that brought the newes to Adoniiah and his company, was Ionathan the sonne of Abiathar, the same man that was used as an intelligencer before for David, 2 Sam. 17. 17. He was most probably left behind by his Father, if there were any occasion, to come after and certify; as he now did. Then Ioab whom it concerned most to hearken after any tumult arising, because he was the generall, entertained Ionathan with flattering words saying, that he was a good man and brought good newes; wherein he spake, as he hoped, and would have had it, remembring also the good newes brought by him in times past unto David. But Ionathan denyed that hee came with good newes, and then he told all that had been done; whereupon they were so dismayed, that they fled, and Adoniiah fled to Gibeah, for there the tabernacle was, and the altar, so taking sanctuary for feare of Solomon, in danger to be cut off; by whom he knew, that he was for his usurping of the Kingdome. This altar was not that of Lyra.incense, to which the Priests onelyonly might come: but the other which was for sacrifices, whereunto the people might come sometimes. Hee that being in danger fled hither was sometimes protected, as in a city of refuge: as we may gather, Exod. 21. 14. wherefore Adoniiah, his case growing desperate, sought to this place, but in vain, had not Solomon the King in some other respect spared him; for he caused him to be brought from thence, and Ioab afterwards who fled thither 1 King. 2. 30.also and slew him, not fearing to doe so to a guilty person for the sanctimony of the place, seeing holy places were for the protection of such as offended un wittingly, but not otherwise: as hath been before she wed upon Exod. 21. 14. Adoniiah in flying to Gods house in time of danger, but without benefit; doth not unaptly Note. let forth such as come to God by prayer at such times, who to serve they never regard at other times, but it is to be feared, that they all shall speed no better then he did and Joab. Solomon hearing where Adoniiah was, sent to fetch him thence, and he requiring that the King would sweare unto him, that he would not V. 51.slay him, Solomon promised by his messengers that if hee would shew himselfe a worthy man, there should not one haire of him fall to the ground; but contrariwise, if wickednesse were thence forth found in him: for so it must be understood, because P. Martyr.he desired saying, Let King Solomon sweare unto me this day; that is, say the Hebrewes, remitting what hath been passed before this day, that hee will not slay me for that. The new King was easily intreated, as being willing to begin his reign with shewing mercy, and promised, that not a haire of him should fall to the ground; that is, that he should not have the least hurt for his former ambition, so that hee refreined from all ambitious courses for time to come. And thus Adoniiah was brought from the altar, not by force, but by perswasion; and came and did Homage V. 53.to Solomon, the elder brother younger, as Iosephs elder brethren had to the worshipped him, the submission of the greatest in the world unto Christ, who was at the The mystery.first neglected and contemned, (as Solomon had been) being herein typified. And hereby Martyr will have the Popes deiction at the last figured out; when the trumpet of the Archan gell shall sound, who hath usurped the Kingdome, and feasted with his flatterers and followers, not regarding Gods faithfull servants, but neglecting them, as hereticks, as Adoniiah did Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah. Then Solomon said, goe to thine house, meaning, that he should thenceforth lead a private life, and not intermeddle with state matters, o… …ould hold such pompe of horses and chariots, and men to run before him as fo… he had done.