Text -- 1 Kings 2:40-46 (NET)

2:40 So Shimei got up, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to find his servants; Shimei went and brought back his servants from Gath. 2:41 When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had then returned, 2:42 the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “You will recall that I made you take an oath by the Lord, and I solemnly warned you, ‘If you ever leave and go anywhere, know for sure that you will certainly die.’ You said to me, ‘The proposal is acceptable; I agree to it.’ 2:43 Why then have you broken the oath you made before the Lord and disobeyed the order I gave you?” 2:44 Then the king said to Shimei, “You are well aware of the way you mistreated my father David. The Lord will punish you for what you did. 2:45 But King Solomon will be empowered and David’s dynasty will endure permanently before the Lord.” 2:46 The king then gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada who went and executed Shimei. So Solomon took firm control of the kingdom.

Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: 1Ki 2:40

By seeking his servants, says Bp. Hall, he lost himself. These earthly things either are, or should be our servants. How commonly do we see men run out of the bounds set by God's laws, to hunt after them, till their souls incur a fearful judgment.

Wesley: 1Ki 2:44

For which thine own conscience accuseth thee, and there is no need of other witnesses.

Wesley: 1Ki 2:44

God hath punished thee for thy former wickedness, by suffering thee to expose thyself to thy deserved death.

JFB: 1Ki 2:46

Now, by the death of Shimei, all the leaders of the rival factions had been cut off.

Clarke: 1Ki 2:40

And Shimei - went to Gath - It is astonishing that with his eyes wide open he would thus run into the jaws of death.

Clarke: 1Ki 2:45

King Solomon shall be blessed - He seems to think that, while such bad men remained unpunished, the nation could not prosper; that it was an act of justice which God required him to perform, in order to the establishment and perpetuity of his throne.

Clarke: 1Ki 2:46

And the kingdom was established - He had neither foes within nor without. He was either dreaded or loved universally. His own subjects were affectionately bound to him, and the surrounding nations did not think proper to make him their enemy

As there are serious doubts relative to the dying charge of David as it relates to Shimei, most believing that, in opposition to his own oath, David desired that Solomon should put him to death; I shall here insert Dr. Kennicott’ s criticism on this part of the text: -

"David is here represented in our English version as finishing his life with giving a command to Solomon to kill Shimei, and to kill him on account of that very crime for which, as David here says, he had sworn to him by the Lord he would not put him to death. The behavior thus imputed to the king and prophet, and which would be justly censurable if true, should be examined very carefully as to the ground it stands upon; and when the passage is duly considered, I presume it will appear highly probable that an injury has been here done to this illustrious character. The point to which I now beg the reader’ s attention is this: That it is not uncommon in the Hebrew language to omit the negative in a second part of the sentence, and to consider it as repeated, when it has been once expressed, and is followed by the connecting particle. And thus on Isa 13:22 the late learned annotator says: ‘ The negative is repeated or referred to by the conjunction vau , as in many other places.’ So also Isa 23:4. The necessity of so very considerable an alteration as inserting the particle Not, may be here confirmed by some other instances. Psa 1:5 : The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor (the Hebrew is And, signifying and not) sinners in the congregation of the righteous. Psa 9:18 : The needy shall not alway be forgotten, (and then the negative, understood as repeated by the conjunction, now dropped), the expectation of the poor shall (Not) perish for ever. Psa 38:1 : O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath; Neither (And, for and not) chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Psa 75:5 : Lift not up your horn on high, (and then the negative, understood as repeated by the conjunction, now dropped), speak (Not) with a stiff neck. Pro 24:12, (our version is this): Doth not he, that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth the soul, doth (Not) he know it? and shall (Not) he render to every man according to his works? And Pro 30:3 : I neither learned wisdom, Nor (And, for and not) have the knowledge of the holy. If then there are in fact many such instances, the question is, Whether the negative here, expressed in the former part of David’ s command, may not be understood as to be repeated in the latter part; and if this may be, a strong reason will be added why it should be, so interpreted. The passage will run thus: ‘ Behold, thou hast with thee Shimei, who cursed me - but I swore to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death by the sword. Now, therefore, hold him Not guiltless, (for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him), but bring Not down his hoar head to the grave with blood.’ Now if the language itself will admit of this construction, the sense thus given to the sentence derives a very strong support from the context. For how did Solomon understand this charge? Did he kill Shimei in consequence of it? Certainly he did not; for after he had immediately commanded Joab to be slain, in obedience to his father, he sends for Shimei, and knowing that Shimei ought to be well watched, confines him to a particular spot in Jerusalem for the remainder of his life; 1Ki 2:36-42. See also Job 23:17; Job 30:20; Job 31:20."This is the best mode of interpreting this text.

TSK: 1Ki 2:40

arose : Pro 15:27; Luk 12:15; 1Ti 6:10

TSK: 1Ki 2:42

Did I not : 1Ki 2:36-38; Psa 15:4; Luk 19:22

and thou saidst : Luk 15:22

TSK: 1Ki 2:43

Why : 2Sa 21:2; Eze 17:18, Eze 17:19

commandment : 2Ch 30:12; Ecc 8:2; Rom 13:5

TSK: 1Ki 2:44

Thou knowest : 2Sa 16:5-13; Joh 8:9; Rom 2:15; 1Jo 3:20

return : 1Ki 2:32, 1Ki 2:33; Psa 7:16; Pro 5:22; Eze 17:19; Hos 4:9 *marg.

TSK: 1Ki 2:45

blessed : Psa 21:6, Psa 72:17

the throne : 1Ki 2:24, 1Ki 2:33, 1Ki 2:34; Pro 25:5; Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7

TSK: 1Ki 2:46

the kingdom : 1Ki 2:12, 1Ki 2:45; 2Ch 1:1; Pro 29:4

Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Ki 2:42

Did I not make thee to swear - The Septuagint add to 1Ki 2:37 a clause stating that Solomon "made Shimei swear"on the day when he commanded him to reside at Jerusalem.

Poole: 1Ki 2:40

Went to Gath which, though highly dangerous, he attempted, partly, because he was blinded with covetousness and rage and against his servants, which two lusts have done, daily do, engage men to such courses and actions as are no less dangerous to their lives than this is; partly, because he thought length of time had worn this out of Solomon’ s mind, and other men’ s thoughts; and that this being done secretly and speedily, would never have come to Solomon’ s ears; or that Solomon would not be severe in this case, where it was not wantonness nor contempt of his authority, but the necessity of his household concerns, which put him upon it; and partly, because God withdrew from him the light of common prudence, and wholly left him to his own mistakes, and folly, and lusts; and withal, to the instigation of the devil, whose cunning and powerful artifices and insinuations he could not resist without Divine help.

Poole: 1Ki 2:41

It was told Solomon who doubtless had his spies appointed to observe him in all his motions.

Poole: 1Ki 2:43

He was guilty both of rebellion against the express, and just, and (as himself called it) good command of the king, and of perjury against God; which were two high and heinous crimes. His oath he calls

the oath of the Lord because it was taken in God’ s presence, and he was called upon as a witness of it, and as the avenger of all violations of it, and because the law of God obliged him to the performance of it.

Poole: 1Ki 2:44

Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to for which thy own conscience accuseth thee, and there is no need of other witnesses.

Shall return Heb. hath returned , which seems most proper. God hath punished thee for thy former wickedness, by suffering thee to fall into further crimes, and expose thyself to thy deserved death.

Poole: 1Ki 2:45

The throne of David that royal power and dignity conferred upon David to him and his heirs for ever.

Shall be established by the execution of such righteous judgments as this is.

Before the Lord in the presence of that God who is both an observer and rewarder of all such righteous actions; or under God’ s inspection, and by his blessing.

Poole: 1Ki 2:46

Which went out carrying Shimei along with him to the place of execution, which was not fit to be in the king’ s presence.

The kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon his secret and worst enemies being taken out of the way.

Gill: 1Ki 2:40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants,.... And demand them; through the passion he was in with his servants, and his hurry to get them home, and the covetous disposition which prevailed on him, he might forget, or be tempted to neglect, the prohibition he was under not to go out of Jerusalem; or he might think Solomon had forgot it; or that he could come and go secretly without his knowledge; or if he should know of it, he might hope he would never punish him with death for so small a fault; however, so it was ordered by the providence of God leaving him to his own lust, and the temptations of Satan, that he might suffer just punishment for cursing David:

and Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath; for the king being at peace with Israel, and a tributary to them also, did not choose to detain them, but delivered them up lest it should be resented, and bring him into trouble.

Gill: 1Ki 2:41

And it was told Solomon,.... By the spies he set to watch and observe his motions, or by some others who had seen him go out and return, and knew that it was contrary to the king's orders:

that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again; which was thirty four miles from Jerusalem ^h; whereas his utmost bounds, whither he might go, was the brook Kidron, about half a mile from it.

Gill: 1Ki 2:42

And the king sent and called for Shimei,.... He sent messengers to him, and by them ordered him to come to him, who accordingly came:

and he said unto him, did not I make thee swear by the Lord; which, though not before mentioned, was no doubt done, nor did Shimei deny it:

and protested unto thee; that is, declared before witnesses:

saying, know for certain, that on the day thou goest out; namely, out of the city of Jerusalem:

and walkest abroad any whither; further at most than the brook Kidron, or any other place equally distant from Jerusalem, on any side of it; for when he went to Gath, he did not go over Kidron, but went the road the other way around. Kidron lay to the east, and Gath to the west of Jerusalem: now the protestation made to him was, that if he went out of Jerusalem any way,

that thou shalt surely die; it would be sure and certain death to him:

and thou saidst unto me, the word that I have heard is good; not only he promised to obey it, and that with an oath, but declared it was agreeable and acceptable to him, and therefore the offence was a very aggravated one.

Gill: 1Ki 2:43

Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord,.... Which was made by him, and in his presence, and in which he was appealed to, and so by not keeping it was guilty of perjury:

and the commandment that I have charged thee with? and so guilty of disobedience to him as his sovereign; for which two reasons he ought to die.

Gill: 1Ki 2:44

The king said moreover to Shimei,.... Not as another reason for his putting him to death, but to remind him of his former sins, and to observe to him the providence of God in suffering him to fall into others, that justice might take place upon him for them also:

thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father; which conscience must bear witness to, and accuse him of, not only of the words and actions themselves uttered and done by him, but of the malice and wickedness from whence they sprung:

therefore the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head; the punishment of it; which though not directly inflicted for that, yet in providence was brought about as a just retaliation for it.

Gill: 1Ki 2:45

And King Solomon shall be blessed,.... With a long and peaceable reign, and large dominions, notwithstanding all the attempts to make him unhappy:

and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord for ever; the kingdom of David over Judah for a long time, in his natural line; and the kingdom of Israel, spiritual Israel, for ever in his son the Messiah; and that in the presence of the Lord, he observing, ordering, and succeeding all things to that purpose.

Gill: 1Ki 2:46

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, which went out,.... From the presence of the king, and took Shimei with him to the proper place of execution, it not being fitting to execute him before the king:

and fell upon him, that he died; put him to death by the sword:

and the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon; Adonijah the usurper, and Joab the general of the army, who took on his side, being both put to death; and Abiathar the high priest deposed, who was in the same conspiracy; and Shimei, a dangerous and troublesome man, dispatched, there remained none to give any disturbance; so that he now sat easy and quiet on his throne, and things with respect to the civil government were on a firm and settled foundation.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 1Ki 2:42

¹ tn Heb “sent and summoned.”

² tn Heb “Is it not [true]…?” In the Hebrew text the statement is interrogative; the rhetorical question expects the answer, “Of course it is.”

³ tn Heb “here or there.”

⁴ tn Heb “good is the word; I have heard.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 2:43

¹ tn Heb “Why have you not kept the oath [to] the Lord and the commandment I commanded you?”

NET Notes: 1Ki 2:44

¹ tn Heb “You know all the evil, for your heart knows, which you did to David my father.”

² tn Heb “The Lord will cause your evil to return upon your head.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 2:45

¹ tn Or “blessed.”

² tn Heb “throne.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 2:46

¹ tn “The king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada and he went out and struck him down and he died.”

² tn “And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.”

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 2:40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and ^{( t )} Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

^{( t )} His covetous mind moved him to risk his life, rather than to lose the worldly profit he had by his servants.

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 2:44

The king said moreover to Shimei, ^{( u )} 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;

^{( u )} For though you would deny it, your own conscience accuses you for reviling and doing wrong to my father, (2Sa 16:5).

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 2:46

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was ^{( x )} established in the hand of Solomon.

^{( x )} Because all his enemies were destroyed.

Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Ki 2:1-46

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.

MHCC: 1Ki 2:35-46

The old malignity remains in the unconverted heart, and a watchful eye should be kept on those who, like Shimei, have manifested their enmity, but have given no evidence of repentance. No engagements or dangers will restrain worldly men; they go on, though they forfeit their lives and souls. Let us remember, God will not accommodate his judgment to us. His eye is over us; and let us strive to walk as in his presence. Let our every act, word, and thought, be governed by this great truth, that the hour is quickly coming when the smallest circumstances of our lives shall be brought to light, and our eternal state be fixed by a righteous and unerring God. Thus Solomon's throne was established in peace, as the type of the Redeemer's kingdom of peace and righteousness. And it is a comfort, in reference to the enmity of the church's enemies, that, how much soever they rage, it is a vain thing they imagine. Christ's throne is established, and they cannot shake it.

Matthew Henry: 1Ki 2:35-46

Here is, I. The preferment of Benaiah and Zadok, two faithful friends to Solomon and his government, 1Ki 2:35. Joab being put to death, Benaiah was advanced to be general of the forces in his room, and, Abiathar being deposed, Zadok was made high priest in his room, and therein was fulfilled the word of God, when he threatened to cut off the house of Eli (1Sa 2:35), I will raise me up a faithful priest, and will build him a sure house. Though sacred offices may be disgraced, they shall not be destroyed, by the mal-administration of those that are entrusted with them, nor shall God's work ever stand still for want of hands to carry it on. No wonder that he who was a king so immediately of God's making was empowered to make whom he though fit high priest; and he exercised this power with equity, for the ancient right was in Zadok, he being of the family of Eleazar, whereas Eli and his house were of Ithamar.

II. The course that was taken with Shimei. He is sent for, by a messenger, from his house at Bahurim, expecting perhaps no better than Adonijah's doom, being conscious of his enmity to the house of David; but Solomon knows how to make a difference of crimes and criminals. David had promised Shimei his life for his time. Solomon is not bound by that promise, yet he will not go directly contrary to it. 1. He confines him to Jerusalem, and forbids him, upon any pretence whatsoever, to go out of the city any further than the brook Kidron, 1Ki 2:36, 1Ki 2:37. He would suffer him to continue at his country seat lest he should make mischief among his neighbours, but took him to Jerusalem, where he kept him prisoner at large. This might make Shimei's confinement easy to himself, for Jerusalem was beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, the royal city, the holy city (he had no reason to complain of being shut up in such a paradise); it would also make it the more safe for Solomon, for there he would have him under his eye and be able to watch his motions; and he plainly tells him that if he ever go out of the rules he shall certainly die for it. This was a fair trial of his obedience, and such a test of his loyalty as he had no reason to complain of. He has his life upon easy terms: he shall live if he will but be content to live at Jerusalem. 2. Shimei submits to the confinement, and thankfully takes his life upon those terms. He enters into recognizance (1Ki 2:38), under the penalty of death, not to stir out of Jerusalem, and owns that the saying is good. Even those that perish cannot but own the conditions of pardon and life unexceptionable, so that their blood, like Shimei's, must rest upon their own heads. Shimei promised, with an oath, to keep within his bounds, 1Ki 2:42. 3. Shimei forfeits his recognizance, which was the thing Solomon expected; and God was righteous in suffering him to do it, that he might now suffer for his old sins. Two of his servants (it seems, though he was a prisoner, he lived like himself, well attended) ran from him to the land of the Philistines, 1Ki 2:39. Thither he pursued them, and thence brought them back to Jerusalem, 1Ki 2:40. For the keeping of it private he saddled his ass himself, probably went in the night, and came home he thought undiscovered. "Seeking his servants,"says bishop Hall, "he lost himself; those earthly things either are, or should be, our servants. How commonly do we see men run out of the bounds set by God's law, to hunt after them, till their souls incur a fearful judgment!"4. Solomon takes the forfeiture. Information is given him that Shimei has transgressed, 1Ki 2:41. The king sends for him, and, (1.) charges him with the present crime (1Ki 2:42, 1Ki 2:43), that he had put a great contempt upon the authority and wrath both of God and the king, that he had broken the oath of the Lord and disobeyed the commandment of his prince, and by this it appeared what manner of spirit he was of, that he would not be held by the bonds of gratitude or conscience. Had he represented to Solomon the urgency of the occasion, and begged leave to go, perhaps Solomon might have given him leave; but to presume either upon his ignorance or his connivance was to affront him in the highest degree. (2.) He condemns him for his former crime, cursing David, and throwing stones at him in the day of his affliction: The wickedness which thy heart is privy to, 1Ki 2:44. There was no need to examine witnesses for the proof of the fact, his own conscience was instead of a thousand witnesses. That wickedness which men's own hearts alone are privy to is enough, if duly considered, to fill them with confusion, in expectation of its return upon their own heads; for if the heart be privy to it, God is greater than the heart and knoweth all things. Others knew of Shimei's cursing David, but Shimei himself knew of the wicked principles of hatred and malice against David which he displayed in cursing him and that his submission was but feigned and forced. (3.) He blessed himself and his government (1Ki 2:45.): King Solomon shall be blessed, notwithstanding Shimei's impotent curses, which perhaps, in fury and despair, he now vented freely: Let them curse, but bless thou. And the throne of David shall be established, by taking away those that would undermine it. It is a comfort, in reference to the enmity of the church's enemies, that, how much soever they rage, it is a vain thing they imagine. Christ's throne is established, and they cannot shake it. (4.) He gives orders for the execution of Shimei immediately, 1Ki 2:46. All judgment is committed to the Lord Jesus, and, though he be King of peace, he will be found a King of righteousness; and this will shortly be his word of command concerning all his enemies, that would not have him to reign over them: Bring them forth, and slay them before me; the reproaches of those that blasphemed him will fall on themselves, to their eternal condemnation.

Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ki 2:12-46

Accession of Solomon and Establishment of his Government. - 1Ki 2:12 is aheading embracing the substance of what follows, and is more fullyexpanded in 1Ch 29:23-25. Solomon established his monarchy first ofall by punishing the rebels, Adonijah (1Ch 29:13-25) and his adherents (1Ch 29:26 -35), and by carrying out the final instructions of his father (vv. 36-46).

1Ki 2:13-18

Adonijah forfeits his life . - 1Ki 2:13-18. Adonijah came toBathsheba with the request that she would apply to king Solomon to givehim Abishag of Shunem as his wife. Bathsheba asked him, "Is peace thycoming?"i.e., comest thou with a peaceable intention? (as in 1Sa 16:4),because after what had occurred (1Ki 1:5.) she suspected an evilintention. He introduced his petition with these words: "Thou knowestthat the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set its face upon me that Ishould be king, then the kingdom turned about and became my brother's;for it became his from the Lord."The throne was his, not because he hadusurped it, but because it belonged to him as the eldest son at that time,according to the right of primogeniture. Moreover it might have been thecase that many of the people wished him to be king, and the fact that hehad found adherents in Joab, Abiathar, and others, confirms this; but hisassertion, that all Israel had set its eyes upon him as the future king, wentbeyond the bounds of truth. At the same time, he knew how to cover overthe dangerous sentiment implied in his words in a very skilful manner byadding the further remark, that the transfer of the kingdom to his brotherhad come from Jehovah; so that Bathsheba did not detect the artifice, andpromised to fulfil his request (1Ki 2:16.) to intercede with king Solomonfor Abishag to be given him to wife. את־פּני אל־תּשׁבי , "do not turnback my face,"i.e., do not refuse my request.

1Ki 2:19

When Bathsheba came to Solomon, he received her with thereverence due to the queen-mother: " he rose up to meet her "(a pregnantexpression for "he rose up and went to meet her"), made a low bow, thensat upon his throne again, and bade her sit upon a throne at his right hand. The seat at the right hand of the king was the place of honour among theIsraelites (cf. Psa 110:1), also with the ancient Arabian kings (cf. Eichhorn, Monumenta Antiq . Hist . Arab . p. 220), as well as among the Greeks andRomans.

1Ki 2:20-22

To her request, "Let Abishag of Shunem be given to Adonijahthy brother for a wife"( את יתּן , cf. Ges. §§143, 1, a.),which she regarded in her womanly simplicity as a very small one( קטנּה ), he replied with indignation, detecting at once theintrigues of Adonijah: "And why dost thou ask Abishag of Shunem forAdonijah? ask for him the kingdom, for he is my elder brother; and indeedfor him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah."Therepetition of לו in ולו (1Ki 2:22), for the purpose of linkingon another clause, answers entirely to the emotional character of thewords. "For him, and for Abiathar and Joab:"Solomon said this, becausethese two men of high rank had supported Adonijah's rebellion and wishedto rule under his name. There is no ground for any such alterations of thetext as Thenius proposes. - Although Abishag had been only David's nurse,in the eyes of the people she passed as his concubine; and among theIsraelites, just as with the ancient Persians (Herod. iii. 68), takingpossession of the harem of a deceased king was equivalent to anestablishment of the claim to the throne (see at 2Sa 12:8 and 2Sa 3:7-8). According to 2Sa 16:21, this cannot have been unknown even toBathsheba; but as Adonijah's wily words had disarmed all suspicion, shemay not have thought of this, or may perhaps have thought that Abishagwas not to be reckoned as one of David's concubines, because David hadnot known her (1Ki 1:4).

1Ki 2:23-24

Solomon thereupon solemnly swore (the formula of an oath,and the כּי introducing the oath, as in 1Sa 14:44, etc.), "Adonijahhas spoken this word against his own life." בּנפשׁו , at the costof his life, as in 2Sa 23:17, i.e., at the hazard of his life, or to hisdestruction. 2Sa 23:24. "And now, as truly as Jehovah liveth, who hathestablished me and set me on the throne of my father David, and hathmade me a house, as He said ( verbatim , 2Sa 7:11): yea, to-day shallAdonijah be put to death."Jehovah established Solomon, or founded himfirmly, by raising him to the throne in spite of Adonijah's usurpation. In ויושׁיביני the central י has got into the text through a copyist's error. בּית לי עשׂה , i.e., He has bestowed uponme a family or posterity. Solomon had already one son, viz., Rehoboam,about a year old (compare 1Ki 11:42 with 1Ki 14:21 and 2Ch 12:13).

(Note: When Thenius denies this, and maintains that Rehoboamcannot have been 41 years old when he began to reign, referring tohis discussion at 1Ki 14:21, he answers himself, inasmuch as at 1Ki 14:21 he demonstrates the fallacy of the objections which Cappellushas raised against the correctness of the reading "41 years.")

1Ki 2:25

Solomon had this sentence immediately executed upon Adonijahby Benaiah, the chief of the body-guard, according to the oriental customof both ancient and modern times. The king was perfectly just in doingthis. For since Adonijah, even after his first attempt to seize upon thethrone had been forgiven by Solomon, endeavoured to secure his end byfresh machinations, duty to God, who had exalted Solomon to the throne,demanded that the rebel should be punished with all the severity of thelaw, without regard to blood-relationship.

1Ki 2:26-27

Deposition of Abiathar . - The conduct of Solomon towardsthe high priest Abiathar is a proof how free his actions were from personalrevenge or too great severity. Abiathar had also forfeited his life throughthe part he took in Adonijah's conspiracy; but Solomon simply sent himto Anathoth (i.e., Anata; see at Jos 18:24), to his own fields, i.e., to hisproperty there, telling him, "Thou art indeed a man of death,"i.e., thouhast deserved to die, "but I will not put thee to death to-day, because thouhast borne the ark of Jehovah,"namely, both on the occasion of its solemnconveyance to Jerusalem (1Ch 15:11.) and also on David's flightfrom Absalom (2Sa 15:24, 2Sa 15:29), that is to say, because of his high-priestly dignity, and because thou didst endure all that my father endured,i.e., thou didst share all his afflictions and sufferings, both in the period ofSaul's persecution (1Sa 22:20., 1Sa 23:8.), and during the rebellion ofAbsalom (2Sa 15:24.). ההוּא בּיּום (to-day) puts alimit upon the pardon, because Solomon could not foresee whetherAbiathar would always keep quiet, and not forfeit his life again by freshcrimes.

(Note: There is no meaning in the objection of Thenius, thatAbiathar did not carry the ark himself, since this was not the duty ofthe high priest. For, in the first place, it is questionable whetherAbiathar did not lend a helping hand at the removal of the ark duringAbsalom's conspiracy. And, secondly, the duty binding upon the highpriest, to superintend and conduct the removal of the ark, might verywell be called carrying the ark. The conjecture, that for ארון we should read אפוד , founders on the preterite נשׂאת ; for Abiathar had not only worn the ephod oncebefore, but he wore it till the very hour in which Solomon deposedhim from his office.)

1Ki 2:27

The banishment of Abiathar to his own private possessioninvolved his deposition from the priesthood. And, as the historian adds,thus was the word of the Lord concerning the house of Eli fulfilled (1Sa 2:30-33). למלּא corresponds to the New Testament ἵνα πληρωθῇ . For further remarks on this prophecy and its fulfilment,see at 1Sa 2:30.

(Note: Nothing is related concerning the subsequent fate of Abiathar,since the death of a high priest who had been deprived of his officewas a matter of no importance to the history of the kingdom of God. At any rate, he would not survive his deposition very long, as he wascertainly eighty years old already ( see Comm. on Sam . p. 267).- Theinference which Ewald ( Gesch . iii. pp. 269,270) draws from 1Sa 2:31-36 as to the manner of his death, namely, that he fell by thesword, is one of the numerous fictions founded upon naturalisticassumptions with which this scholar has ornamented the biblicalhistory.)

Thus was the high-priesthood of the house of Eli extinguished, andhenceforth this dignity passed through Zadok into the sole possession ofthe line of Eleazar.

1Ki 2:28-33

Execution of Joab . - When the report (of the execution ofAdonijah and the deposition of Abiathar) came to Joab, he fled to the tentof Jehovah (not to the tabernacle, but to the holy tent upon Zion) to seekprotection at the altar (see at 1Ki 1:50). The words נטה לא ... יואב כּי are introduced as a parenthesis toexplain Joab's flight: "for Joab had leaned after Adonijah,"i.e., taken hisside ( אהרי נטה , as in Exo 23:2; Jdg 9:3), "but notafter Absalom."

(Note: Instead of אבשׁלום the lxx (Cod. Vat.), Vulgate,Syr., and Arab. have adopted the reading שּׁלמה , and bothThenius and Ewald propose to alter the text accordingly. Butwhatever plausibility this reading may have, especially if we alter thepreterite נטה into the participle נטה after the ἦν κεκλικώς of the lxx, as Thenius does, it has noother foundation than an arbitrary rendering of the lxx, whothought, but quite erroneously, that the allusion to Absalom wasinapplicable here. For אחר נטה , to take a person'sside, would suit very well in the case of Adonijah and Absalom, butnot in that of Solomon, whose claim to the throne was not a partyaffair, but had been previously determined by God.)

There is no foundation in the biblical text for the conjecture, that Joab hadgiven Adonijah the advice to ask for Abishag as his wife, just asAhithophel had given similar advice to Absalom (2Sa 16:21). For notonly is there no intimation of anything of the kind, but Solomon punishedJoab solely because of his crimes in the case of Abner and Amasa. Moreover, Abiathar was also deposed, without having any freshmachinations in favour of Adonijah laid to his charge. The punishment ofAdonijah and Abiathar was quite sufficient to warn Joab of hisapproaching fate, and lead him to seek to save his life by fleeing to thealtar. It is true that, according to Exo 21:13-14, the altar could afford noprotection to a man who had committed two murders. But he probablythought no more of these crimes, which had been committed a long timebefore, but simply of his participation in Adonijah's usurpation; and hemight very well hope that religious awe would keep Solomon from puttinghim to death in a holy place for such a crime as that. And it is very evident that this hope was not altogether a visionary one,from the fact that, according to Exo 21:30, when Joab refused to leave the altarat the summons addressed to him in the name of the king, Benaiah did notgive him the death-blow at once, but informed Solomon of the fact andreceived his further commands. Solomon, however, did not arrest thecourse of justice, but ordered him to be put to death there and afterwardsburied. The burial of the persons executed was a matter of course, as,according to Deu 21:23, even a person who had been hanged was to beburied before sunset. When, therefore, Solomon gives special orders for theburial of Joab, the meaning is that Benaiah is to provide for the burial withdistinct reference to the services which Joab had rendered to his father. "And take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me andmy father's house."So long as Joab remained unpunished for the doublemurder, the blood-guiltiness rested upon the king and his house, on whomthe duty of punishment devolved (cf. Num 35:30-31; Deu 19:13). חנּם דּמי , blood without cause, i.e., blood shed ininnocence. On the connection of the adverb with the substantive, at which Theniustakes offence, comp. Ges. §151, 1, and Ewald, §287, d. - For V. 32, compareDeu 21:5. The words of Solomon in v. 33a point back to the curse which Daviduttered upon Joab and his descendants after the murder of Abner (2Sa 3:28-29). "But to David, and his seed, and his house, and his throne, letthere be salvation for ever from Jehovah."This wish sprang from aconviction, based upon 2Sa 7:14, that the Lord would not fulfil Hispromise to David unless his successors upon the throne exercised right andjustice according to the command of the Lord.

1Ki 2:34

Benaiah went up ( ויּעל ), inasmuch as the altar by theark of the covenant stood higher up Mount Zion than Solomon's house. Joab was buried "in his house"(i.e., in the tomb prepared in his house,either in the court or in the garden: cf. 1Sa 25:1), "in the desert,"probably the wilderness of Judah, as Joab's mother was a step-sister ofDavid, and therefore probably dwelt in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem.

1Ki 2:35

Solomon appointed Benaiah commander-in-chief in the place ofJoab, and put Zadok in Abiathar's place (cf. 1Ki 1:8-9).

1Ki 2:36-37

Punishment of Shimei . - Solomon thereupon ordered Shimei tocome, probably from Bahurim, where his home was (2Sa 16:5), andcommanded him to build himself a house in Jerusalem to dwell in, and notto leave the city "any whither"( ואנה אנה ),threatening him with death if ever he should cross the brook Kidron. Thevalley of Kidron is mentioned as the eastern boundary of the city with anallusion to the fact, that Bahurim was to the east of Jerusalem towards thedesert.

1Ki 2:38

Shimei vowed obedience, and that on oath, as is supplementarilyobserved in 1Ki 2:42, though it has been arbitrarily interpolated by the lxxhere; and he kept his word a considerable time.

1Ki 2:39-40

But after the lapse of three years, when two slaves fled toGath to king Achish, with whom David had also sought and found refuge(1Sa 27:2, compare 1Ki 21:11.), he started for Gath as soon as heknew this, and fetched them back.

1Ki 2:41-43

When this was reported to Solomon, he sent for Shimei andcharged him with the breach of his command: "Did I not swear to thee byJehovah, and testify to thee, etc.? Why hast thou not kept the oath ofJehovah (the oath sworn by Jehovah)...?"

1Ki 2:44

He then reminded him of the evil which he had done to hisfather: "Thou knowest all the evil, which thy heart knoweth (i.e., whichthy conscience must tell thee); and now Jehovah returns the evil upon thyhead,"namely, by decreeing the punishment of death, which he deservedfor blaspheming the anointed of the Lord (2Sa 16:9).

1Ki 2:45

"And king Solomon will be blessed, and the throne of David beestablished before Jehovah for ever,"namely, because the king does justice(compare the remark on 1Ki 2:33).

1Ki 2:46

Solomon then ordered him to be executed by Benaiah. Thispunishment was also just. As Solomon had put Shimei's life in his ownhand by imposing upon him confinement in Jerusalem, and Shimei hadpromised on oath to obey the king's command, the breach of his oath wasa crime for which he had no excuse. There is no force at all in the excuseswhich some commentators adduce in his favour, founded upon the moneywhich his salves had cost him, and the wish to recover possession of them,which was a right one in itself. If Shimei had wished to remain faithful tohis oath, he might have informed the king of the flight of his slaves, haveentreated the king that they might be brought back, and have awaited theking's decision; but he had no right thus lightly to break the promise givenon oath. By the breach of his oath he had forfeited his life. And this is thefirst thing with which Solomon charges him, without his being able to offerany excuse; and it is not till afterwards that he adduces as a second fact inconfirmation of the justice of his procedure, the wickedness that hepractised towards his father. - The last clause, "and the kingdom wasestablished by ( בּיד ) Solomon,"is attached to the followingchapter in the Cod. Al. of the lxx (in the Cod. Vat. it is wanting, orrather its place is supplied by a long interpolation), in the Vulgate, and inthe Syriac; and indeed rightly so, as Thenius has shown, not merelybecause of the רק in 1Ki 3:2, but also because of its form as acircumstantial clause, to which the following account (1Ki 3:1.) isappended.

Constable: 1Ki 1:1--11:43

I. THE REIGN OF SOLOMON chs. 1--11

The Holy Spirit led the writer of Kings to give an interpretation of history, not just a chronologically sequential record of events. This is true of all the writers of the Old Testament historical books. Some of the events in Kings are not in chronological order. They appear in the text as they do to make a point that was primarily theological (i.e., to reveal a spiritual lesson from history). The writer chose the historical data he included for this purpose under the superintending inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The lesson that Kings teaches is that failure to honor the revealed will of God results in ruin and destruction.¹² For Israel the revealed will of God was the Mosaic Law and the later revelations of the prophets.

"By way of contrast with the other two books covering the historical details of the united and divided kingdoms, one might say that whereas Samuel's author uses a biographical style and Chronicles is written from a theological standpoint, the author of Kings employs a largely narrative-annalistic approach."¹³

All three major sections of Kings emphasize many theological lessons, but each one repeats and reinforces the main motif, the importance of obeying the Mosaic Law to succeed. This motif stands out clearly in the first major section dealing with Solomon's reign (chs. 1-11). The nation of Israel reached the height of its power and prestige in Solomon's day. It began to decline because of Solomon's unfaithfulness and failure to honor the Mosaic Covenant.

One writer observed that the structure of the record of Solomon's reign is as follows. Chapters 1-2 and 11:14-43 draw a frame around the whole history of Solomon's rule. Within this frame two similar sections form the body of the revelation. The first (3:1-8:66) is favorable to Solomon and the second (9:1-11:13) is critical of him.¹⁴ Each of these sections begins with a dream (3:1-15; 9:1-10a), and each ends with a revelation of Solomon's attitude toward God (chs. 6-8; 11:1-13). The first section has two parts. Part one reveals Solomon's domestic policy with sub-sections on women and wisdom (3:16-28), and administration and wisdom (4:1-5:14). Part two deals with Solomon's labor relations and has sub-sections on the contract with Hiram (5:15-18) and the corvée (5:28-33). The second section also has two parts. Part one gives more information about Solomon's labor relations and has sub-sections on the contract with Hiram (9:10b-14) and the corvée (9:15-28). Part two explains Solomon's foreign policy with sub-sections on women and wisdom (10:1-13), and wealth and wisdom (10:14-29). Thus there is both a chiastic and an unfolding structure in chapters 1-11.¹⁵

Constable: 1Ki 2:13-46

1. Solomon's purges 2:13-46

Solomon wrote that the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7; cf. Eccles. 12:13; Ps. 111:10). At the very beginning of his reign he gave evidence of being wise by the way he dealt with his political enemies. His wise decisions at this time resulted in peace and prosperity for Israel for the next 40 years (971-931 B.C.).

Constable: 1Ki 2:36-46

Shimei's execution 2:36-46

David had warned Solomon to keep Shimei under close observation and to put him to death (vv. 8-9). Evidently David realized because of Shimei's past actions that it would only be a matter of time before he would do something worthy of death, probably rebel against Solomon's authority. Solomon made Jerusalem Shimei's prison. Jerusalem was only "a small acropolis city, whose circumference has been estimated at 4500 feet."³² Solomon kept Shimei from reuniting with the other Benjamites. When Shimei left the city he flagrantly rebelled against Solomon's authority. Leaving the city in itself was no great crime, but the fact that Solomon had specifically forbidden it made it very serious. Thus Shimei's disregard for and disobedience to the will of the Lord's anointed resulted in his death.

All of Solomon's dealings with these enemies who had conspired against the Lord's anointed and violated the Mosaic Law show that the new king had a firm commitment to keeping that Law. Moreover Solomon was also merciful and wise, traits of God Himself, who blessed Solomon with these characteristics as His son because of Solomon's commitment to Him. This section also vividly portrays the fate of people who oppose God: disenfranchisement (in the case of Abiathar) and death (in the cases of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei).

"Taken as a whole, 2 Sam. 9-20; 1 Kgs. 1-2 is one of the most powerful indictments of sin in the Bible. But this material has to do with more than judgment. Running parallel to the nemesis of judgment are the grace and providence of God. The child born of the adulterous union died, but another son was born to David and Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:15-25). David almost lost his kingdom to Absalom, but God defeated the counsel of Ahithophel and David regained his throne (2 Sam. 16:15-17:14). The ultimate good in this tangle of events was the accession of that son of David whom the LORD loved (2 Sam. 12:24-25), who ended the disruption in David's family and established the kingdom in strength and peace. Good and evil mingle together in these events. But God is able to achieve his purposes in the midst of and in spite of evil. Even that which is meant for evil God can turn to good (Gen. 45:8; 50:20; Ps. 76:9). The supreme example of this, of course, was the turning of Good Friday into Easter."³³

"The major canonical and theological issue this section raises is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant."³⁴

"Historically, Israel is at a crossroads. From this moment on one sees a drastic shift from semidemocratic tribal rule (maintained to some extent in David's administration) to a typical despotic city-state."³⁵

Guzik: 1Ki 2:1-46

1 Kings 2 - The Securing of Solomon's Throne

A. The final acts of King David.

1. (1-4) David's exhortation to Solomon.

Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: "I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,' He said, 'you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.' "

a. I go the way of all the earth: David, son of Jesse - Israel's greatest king, apart from the Messiah - recognized that he was but a man and shared the common destiny of all the earth. Knowing he would soon pass from this life, David gives a final charge to Solomon.

i. An expanded account of David's charge to Solomon is in 1 Chronicles 28 and 29. It especially emphasizes Solomon's duty to build the temple.

b. Be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man: Perhaps David sensed some weakness in Solomon. Perhaps he knew Solomon would be tested in far greater ways than before. Whatever the exact reason was, David knew Solomon needed strength and courage (prove yourself a man). Great responsibilities require great strength and courage.

i. From these words of David we sense that Solomon faced great challenges, whether he knew it or not. "The same expression was used by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 4:9 as they encouraged one another in their battle against what they assumed to be insurmountable odds." (Patterson and Austel)

c. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: David also knew that Solomon could not be strong or courageous without obedient fellowship with God. In this place of obedient fellowship, Solomon would prosper in all that he did.

d. That the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me: David had a general reason to exhort Solomon to obedience, but he also had a specific reason, a specific promise of God. God promised David that as long as his sons walked in obedience, they would keep the throne of Israel.

i. This is an amazing promise. No matter what the Assyrians or the Egyptians or the Babylonians did, as long as David's sons were obedient and followed God with their heart and with all their soul, God would establish their kingdom. He would take care of the rest.

ii. We may envy the sons of David because they had such a promise - but we have a similar promise from God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. God promises that if we put Him first, He will take care of the rest.

2. (5-9) Advice on dealing with friends and enemies.

"Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace. But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother. And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the LORD, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.' Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood."

a. Do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace: David wants Solomon to begin his reign in justice, and to first give justice to Joab, who was guilty of the murder of both Abner, the general of Israel's army under Saul (2 Samuel 3:27) and Amasa, one of David's military commanders (2 Samuel 20:9-10).

i. Joab is one of the more complex characters of the Old Testament. He was fiercely loyal to David, yet not strongly obedient. He disobeyed David when he thought it was in David's best interest, and he was cunning and ruthless in furthering his own position.

ii. David doesn't even mention Joab's killing of Absalom, which David commanded him not to do (2 Samuel 18). Perhaps by this time David recognizes that Absalom in fact had to die for his treason and attempted murder against David.

iii. Many people think that David did not command Joab's execution during his lifetime because Joab knew about the murder of Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:14-25). The idea is that Joab used this knowledge as blackmail against David. This may be true, but it seems that others knew of David's sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah also (such as Nathan the prophet and servants in David's court). It would seem that Joab's knowledge was only effective as blackmail if no one else knew it.

iv. At the very least, David knew the complexity of Joab's character. He knew the loyalty and sacrifice Joab made for David over the years, and he knew his violence and ruthlessness. "David felt under obligation to Joab, and though David was certainly not lacking in courage, he was not able to cope with the mixture of Joab's loyalty and his misdeeds." (Patterson and Austel)

b. Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite: David also wanted Solomon to do justice by these who helped David in a time of great need.

i. "To eat at the king's table was the equivalent of having a pension, the beneficiary receiving a regular royal allowance of food and clothing, with a house and land to support him and his family." (Wiseman)

c. Shimei . . . bring is gray hair down to the grave with blood: David vowed that he would not kill the obnoxious rebel Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5-13). It was right for David to keep his vow, but it was also right for him to make sure that Shimei received justice without David breaking his vow.

3. (10-12) David's death.

So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.

a. David rested with his fathers: This phrase will become a common one throughout 1 and 2 Kings to describe the passing of a king from this world. Truly, David passed from this life to eternal rest and reward.

i. So ended one the earthly life of one of the greatest men ever to walk the earth. So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor. (1 Chronicles 29:28) "Of his adultery and murder we hear not a word, because he had made a thorough peace with God for those sins in his lifetime." (Trapp)

ii. "He was a shepherd, a soldier, an outlaw, a king, a fugitive, a sinner, a saint, a poet . . . His experiences were the writing of God on his life, making him into a man after God's own heart." (Redpath)

iii. "In general he lived well, and it is most evident that he died well; and as a king, a general, a poet, a father, and a friend, he has had few equals, and no superior, from his own time to the present day." (Clarke)

b. And was buried in the City of David: The tomb of David was known in the time of Jesus and the apostles, according to Acts 2:29. Afterwards, the Christian writer Jerome speaks of it being known in his time. What is currently known in Jerusalem as David's Tomb is almost certainly not the genuine that was known in ancient times.

i. "According to 2 Kings 11:10, David's weapons were preserved as relics in the sanctuary, while, according to Josephus, other representative treasures of his reign were buried with him in his tomb." (Dilday)

c. Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established: This is phrased to show that it is a fulfillment of the promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. That promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David; but it also had a definite and partial fulfillment in Solomon.

i. "With Solomon began, in some senses, the most splendid period in Israel's history. The splendor, however, was largely mental and material. The spiritual is noticeably absent." (Morgan)

B. Solomon secures his throne.

1. (13-18) Adonijah asks Bathsheba to make an appeal on his behalf.

Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, "Do you come peaceably?" And he said, "Peaceably." Moreover he said, "I have something to say to you." And she said, "Say it." Then he said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother's; for it was his from the LORD. Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me." And she said to him, "Say it." Then he said, "Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife." So Bathsheba said, "Very well, I will speak for you to the king."

a. Do you come peaceably? This as a valid question. Adonijah attempted to succeed David as king over Israel, but was kept from establishing his reign when Nathan and Bathsheba warned King David of Adonijah's attempt. Adonijah had reason to wish revenge on Bathsheba.

b. You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign: Adonijah seems to suffer from delusions of grandeur. He imagines that there was widespread popular support for him as king. In reality, he only had a handful of influential malcontents to support him, and they quickly deserted him when it was evident that David favored Solomon (1 Kings 1:49).

c. That he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife: In all likelihood, Abishag was a concubine of David's and therefore legally bound to him. That bond was broken by death, and now Adonijah wants to take the "concubine widow" Abishag as wife.

i. We can surmise that Adonjiah wanted more than Abishag's beauty (1 Kings 1:3-4). In 2 Samuel 16:20-23 Absalom - the brother of Adonijah - asserted his rebellious claim on David's throne by taking David's concubines unto himself. Adonijah wants to declare or build a claim to Solomon's throne by taking David's widowed concubine as his wife.

ii. This idea has historical examples. Among the ancient Persians and Arabs the new king took the harem of the previous king.

2. (19-21) Bathsheba brings the request to Solomon.

Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king's mother; so she sat at his right hand. Then she said, "I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me." And the king said to her, "Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you." So she said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife."

a. Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon: She knew that this was an outrageous request, yet she still agreed to bring it to Solomon. Bathsheba probably figured that it was best that Solomon knew what Adonijah wanted to do.

b. One small petition: Bathsheba knew this was not a small petition at all. She is being at least a little sarcastic, to make the request of Adonijah seem even more offensive to the ears of Solomon.

3. (22-25) Solomon has Adonijah executed for his challenge to the throne.

And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, "Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my older brother; for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah." Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, "May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! Now therefore, as the LORD lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!" So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died.

a. Ask for him the kingdom also: Solomon understood the situation perfectly. He knew that this was Adonijah's attempt to declare or build a claim to the throne of Israel.

b. As the LORD lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father: Saul was zealous to give justice to Adonijah because he knew that God gave him the throne of Israel.

c. Adonijah shall be put to death today: Solomon simply acted according to the "terms of parole" granted to Adonijah in 1 Kings 1:52: If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die. Adonijah made a wicked, treasonous request and is executed because of it.

i. We wonder why Adonijah - after hearing the warning Solomon made in 1 Kings 1:52 - would make such an outrageous request. Perhaps he felt that Solomon was too young, too inexperienced, or too timid to do the right thing. He soon found out that Solomon was a wise and decisive leader.

4. (26-27) The exile of Abiathar.

And to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your own fields, for you are deserving of death; but I will not put you to death at this time, because you carried the ark of the LORD GOD before my father David, and because you were afflicted every time my father was afflicted." So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, that he might fulfill the word of the LORD which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh.

a. You are deserving of death: Adonijah deserved death because he supported Adonijah as the next king, in defiance of the will of God and the will of King David (1 Kings 1:7). This was treason against both God and the King of Israel.

b. I will not put you to death at this time: Solomon shows mercy and wisdom to Abithar. Mercy was shown in sparing Abiathar's life in light of his past standing as a chief priest and supporter of David. Wisdom was shown in exiling him and saying, "I will not put you to death at this time." Solomon let Abiathar know that he could still be executed.

c. That he might fulfill the word of the LORD which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh: This refers to the prophecies found in 1 Samuel 2:27-36 and 1 Samuel 3:11-14. In removing Abiathar from the priesthood, Solomon - without direct intention - fulfilled the promise of judgment against the house of Eli, made some 100 years before Solomon took the throne.

5. (28-35) The execution of Joab.

Then news came to Joab, for Joab had defected to Adonijah, though he had not defected to Absalom. So Joab fled to the tabernacle of the LORD, and took hold of the horns of the altar. And King Solomon was told, "Joab has fled to the tabernacle of the LORD; there he is, by the altar." Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, strike him down." So Benaiah went to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said to him, "Thus says the king, 'Come out!' " And he said, "No, but I will die here." And Benaiah brought back word to the king, saying, "Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me." Then the king said to him, "Do as he has said, and strike him down and bury him, that you may take away from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood which Joab shed. So the LORD will return his blood on his head, because he struck down two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword; Abner the son of Ner, the commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, the commander of the army of Judah; though my father David did not know it. Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants forever. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the LORD." So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck and killed him; and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

a. And took hold of the horns of the altar: Joab supported Adonijah in his treasonous attempt to gain David's throne. Now he imitates Adonijah's attempt to find refuge by taking hold of the horns of the altar (as Adonijah did in 1 Kings 1:50-53).

i. "He did not know where to fly except he fled to the horns of an altar, which he had very seldom approached before. As far as we can judge, he had shown little respect to religion during his lifetime. He was a rough man of war, and cared little enough about God, or the tabernacle, or the priests, or the altar; but when he was in danger, he fled to that which he had avoided, and sought to make a refuge of that which be had neglected." (Spurgeon)

ii. "The laying hold upon the literal horns of an altar, which can be handled, availed not Joab. There are many - oh, how many still! - That are hoping to be saved, because they lay hold, as they think, upon the home of the altar by sacraments." (Spurgeon)

b. Go, strike him down: Although it was almost a universal custom in the ancient world to find sanctuary at a holy altar, Solomon knew that this ancient custom was not used in Israel to protect a guilty man. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die (Exodus 21:14). Since Joab refused to leave, Solomon had him executed right at the altar.

i. "It would have been an insult to justice not to have taken the life of Joab. David was culpable in delaying it so long; but probably the circumstances of his government would not admit of his doing it sooner." (Clarke)

c. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the LORD: This was only true as David's descendants followed the LORD. Our destiny is not determined by our ancestors, but by our current relationship with God.

i. David reinforced this principle with Solomon earlier in this chapter by reminding him what the LORD promised: If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul . . . 'you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel (2 Kings 2:4).

6. (36-46) Solomon settles the past with Shimei.

Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there anywhere. For it shall be, on the day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron, know for certain you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head." And Shimei said to the king, "The saying is good. As my LORD the king has said, so your servant will do." So Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days. Now it happened at the end of three years, that two slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, "Look, your slaves are in Gath!" So Shimei arose, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to seek his slaves. And Shimei went and brought his slaves from Gath. And Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had come back. Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by the LORD, and warn you, saying, 'Know for certain that on the day you go out and travel anywhere, you shall surely die'? And you said to me, 'The word I have heard is good.' Why then have you not kept the oath of the LORD and the commandment that I gave you?" The king said moreover to Shimei, "You know, as your heart acknowledges, all the wickedness that you did to my father David; therefore the LORD will return your wickedness on your own head. But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever." So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out and struck him down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

a. Do not go out from there anywhere: Shimei was associated with the household of the former King Saul, and showed himself as a threat to the House of David (2 Samuel 16:5-8). David instructed Solomon to not allow Shimei to die in peace (1 Kings 2:8). Solomon began dealing with Shimei by placing him under house arrest.

b. The saying is good: Shimei knew that Solomon was merciful and generous to him. He not only agreed with the arrangement, he was also grateful for it.

c. Why then have you not kept the oath of the LORD and the commandment that I gave you? Solomon extended mercy to Shimei, but Shimei abused it and took advantage of it. It seems to have mainly been a matter of neglect or forgetfulness, but it is criminal to neglect or forget a royal covenant.

d. Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon: This chapter demonstrates that Solomon's throne was secure at an early date, not like the reign of David or Solomon.

i. This initial demonstration of justice was important for Solomon to perform. "He seems to think that, while such bad men remained unpunished the nation could not prosper; that it was an act of justice which God required him to perform, in order to the establishment and perpetuity of his throne." (Clarke)

ii. "Oh that we would be as quick in slaying our arch-rebels, those predominant sins that threaten our precious souls!" (Trapp)

© 2004 David Guzik - No distribution beyond personal use without permission

Introduction / Outline

JFB: 1 Kings (Book Introduction)

THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS OF KINGS, in the ancient copies of the Hebrew Bible, constitute one book. Various titles have been given them; in the Septuagint and the Vulgate they are called the Third and Fourth Books of Kings. The authorship of these books is unknown; but the prevailing opinion is that they were compiled by Ezra, or one of the later prophets, from the ancient documents that are so frequently referred to in the course of the history as of public and established authority. Their inspired character was acknowledged by the Jewish Church, which ranked them in the sacred canon; and, besides, it is attested by our Lord, who frequently quotes from them (compare 1Ki 17:9; 2Ki 5:14 with Luk 4:24-27; 1Ki 10:1 with Mat 12:42).

JFB: 1 Kings (Outline)

• ABISHAG CHERISHES DAVID IN HIS EXTREME AGE. (1Ki 1:1-4)
• ADONIJAH USURPS THE KINGDOM. (1Ki. 1:5-31)
• SOLOMON, BY DAVID'S APPOINTMENT, IS ANOINTED KING. (1Ki. 1:32-49)
• ADONIJAH, FLEEING TO THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR, IS DISMISSED BY SOLOMON. (1Ki 1:50-53)
• DAVID DIES. (1Ki 2:1-11)
• SOLOMON SUCCEEDS HIM. (1Ki 2:12-24)
• JOAB SLAIN. (1Ki. 2:28-45)
• SHIMEI PUT TO DEATH. (1Ki 2:34-46)
• SOLOMON MARRIES PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER. (1Ki 3:1)
• HIGH PLACES BEING IN USE, HE SACRIFICES AT GIBEON. (1Ki 3:2-5)
• HE CHOOSES WISDOM. (1Ki 3:6-15)
• HIS JUDGMENT BETWEEN TWO HARLOTS. (1Ki 3:16-28)
• SOLOMON'S PRINCES. (1Ki 4:1-6)
• HIS TWELVE OFFICERS. (1Ki 4:7-21)
• HIS WISDOM. (1Ki 4:29-34)
• HIRAM SENDS TO CONGRATULATE SOLOMON. (1Ki 5:1-6)
• FURNISHES TIMBER TO BUILD THE TEMPLE. (1Ki 5:7-12)
• SOLOMON'S WORKMEN AND LABORERS. (1Ki 5:13-18)
• THE BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. (1Ki 6:1-4)
• THE CHAMBERS THEREOF. (1Ki 6:5-10)
• GOD'S PROMISES UNTO IT. (1Ki 6:11-14)
• THE CEILING AND ADORNING OF IT. (1Ki 6:15-22)
• THE TIME TAKEN TO BUILD IT. (1Ki 6:37-38)
• BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S HOUSE. (1Ki 7:1)
• OF THE HOUSE OF LEBANON. (1Ki 7:2-7)
• HIRAM'S WORKS. (1Ki. 7:13-51)
• THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE. (1Ki 8:1-12)
• SOLOMON'S BLESSING. (1Ki 8:12-21)
• HIS PRAYER. (1Ki. 8:22-61)
• HIS SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERING. (1Ki 8:62-64)
• THE PEOPLE JOYFUL. (1Ki 8:65)
• GOD'S COVENANT IN A SECOND VISION WITH SOLOMON. (1Ki 9:1-9)
• THE MUTUAL PRESENTS OF SOLOMON AND HIRAM. (1Ki 9:10-23)
• SOLOMON'S YEARLY SACRIFICES. (1Ki 9:24-28)
• THE QUEEN OF SHEBA ADMIRES THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. (1Ki 10:1-13)
• HIS RICHES. (1Ki. 10:14-29)
• SOLOMON'S WIVES AND CONCUBINES IN HIS OLD AGE. (1Ki 11:1-8)
• GOD THREATENS HIM. (1Ki 11:9-13)
• REFUSING THE OLD MEN'S COUNSEL. (1Ki 12:1-5)
• JEROBOAM MADE KING OVER THEM. (1Ki 12:20-33)
• JEROBOAM'S HAND WITHERS. (1Ki. 13:1-22)
• THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET SLAIN BY A LION. (1Ki 13:23-32)
• AHIJAH DENOUNCES GOD'S JUDGMENTS AGAINST JEROBOAM. (1Ki. 14:1-20)
• REHOBOAM'S WICKED REIGN. (1Ki 14:21-24)
• SHISHAK SPOILS JERUSALEM. (1Ki 14:25-31)
• ABIJAM'S WICKED REIGN OVER JUDAH. (1Ki 15:1-8)
• ASA'S GOOD REIGN. (1Ki 15:9-22)
• NADAB'S WICKED REIGN. (1Ki 15:25-34)
• JEHU'S PROPHECY AGAINST BAASHA. (1Ki 16:1-8)
• ZIMRI'S CONSPIRACY. (1Ki 16:9-22)
• OMRI BUILDS SAMARIA. (1Ki 16:23-28)
• JOSHUA'S CURSE FULFILLED UPON HIEL THE BUILDER OF JERICHO. (1Ki 16:34)
• ELIJAH, PROPHESYING AGAINST AHAB, IS SENT TO CHERITH. (1Ki 17:1-7)
• HE IS SENT TO A WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH. (1Ki 17:8-16)
• HE RAISES HER SON TO LIFE. (1Ki 17:17-24)
• ELIJAH MEETS OBADIAH. (1Ki. 18:1-16)
• ELIJAH, BY PRAYER, OBTAINS RAIN. (1Ki 18:41-46)
• ELIJAH FLEES TO BEER-SHEBA. (1Ki 19:1-3)
• ELISHA FOLLOWS ELIJAH. (1Ki 19:19-21)
• BEN-HADAD BESIEGES SAMARIA. (1Ki 20:1-12)
• THE SYRIANS ARE SLAIN. (1Ki 20:13-20)
• A PROPHET REPROVES HIM. (1Ki 20:35-42)
• NABOTH REFUSES AHAB HIS VINEYARD. (1Ki 21:1-4)
• JEZEBEL CAUSES NABOTH TO BE STONED. (1Ki 21:5-16)
• ELIJAH DENOUNCES JUDGMENTS AGAINST AHAB AND JEZEBEL. (1Ki 21:17-29)
• AHAB SLAIN AT RAMOTH-GILEAD. (1Ki. 22:1-36)

TSK: 1 Kings 2 (Chapter Introduction)

Overview

1Ki 2:1, David, having given a charge to Solomon, 1Ki 2:3, of religiousness; 1Ki 2:5, of Joab; 1Ki 2:7, of Barzillai; 1Ki 2:8, of Shimei; 1Ki 2:10, dies; 1Ki 2:12, Solomon succeeds; 1Ki 2:13, Adonijah, moving Bath-sheba to sue unto Solomon for Abishag, is put to death; 1Ki 2:26, Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood; 1Ki 2:28, Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain; 1Ki 2:35, Benaiah is put in Joab’s room, and Zadok in Abiathar’s; 1Ki 2:36, Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going thence to Gath, is put to death.

Poole: 1 Kings (Book Introduction)

FIRST BOOK OF KINGS COMMONLY CALLED

THE THIRD BOOK OF THE KINGS

THE ARGUMENT

THESE two Books called Of the Kings, because they treat of the kings of Judah and Israel, were written by the prophets, or holy men of God, living in or near their several times, and by some one of them digested into this order. But whoever was the penman, that these are a part of those Holy Scriptures which were Divinely inspired is sufficiently evident first,

From the concurring testimony of the whole Jewish church in all ages, to whom were committed the oracles of God, Rom 3:2 , who also did faithfully discharge their duty in preserving and delivering them entirely and truly to their posterity from time to time, as plainly appears, because Christ and his apostles, who reproved them freely for their several sins, never taxed them with this fault, of depraving the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament. Secondly, Because this is manifest concerning divers parcels of them which were taken out of the records of the prophets Nathan, Ahijah, and Iddo, 2Ch 9:29 , and out of the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah; and the rest doubtless were of the same nature.

Thirdly, From the approbation of these books by the New Testament, both generally, as 2Ti 3:16 , All Scripture is given by inspiration from God, &c., which is affirmed concerning all those Holy Scriptures which Timothy had known, from a child, 2Ti 3:15 , and therefore must necessarily be meant of all the books of the Old Testament, which the Jews owned for canonical Scripture; and particularly Rom 11:2,3 , &c., where a passage out of these books is quoted and owned as a part of the Holy Scripture, called the Scripture by way of eminency.

Poole: 1 Kings 2 (Chapter Introduction)

KINGS CHAPTER 2

David lying on his death-bed, giveth charge to Solomon of a religious life, 1Ki 2:1-4 . Of Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei, 1Ki 2:5-9 . He dieth: Solomon succeedeth, 1Ki 2:10-12 . Adonijah suing for Abishag, is put to death, 1Ki 2:13-25 . Abiathar is deprived of the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26,27 . Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar is slain there, 1Ki 2:28-34 . Benaiah is put in Joab’ s room, and Zadok in Abiathar’ s, 1Ki 2:35 . Shimei confined to Jerusalem; going thence to Gath is put to death, 1Ki 2:36-46 .

MHCC: 1 Kings (Book Introduction)

The history now before us accounts for the affairs of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, yet with special regard to the kingdom of God among them; for it is a sacred history. It is earlier as to time, teaches much more, and is more interesting than any common histories.

MHCC: 1 Kings 2 (Chapter Introduction)

(1Ki 2:1-4) David's dying charge to Solomon.

(1Ki 2:5-11) David's charge as to Joab and others.

(1Ki 2:12-25) Solomon reigns, Adonijah aspiring to the throne is put to death.

(1Ki 2:26-34) Abiathar banished, Joab put to death.

(1Ki 2:35-46) Shimei is put to death.

Matthew Henry: 1 Kings (Book Introduction)

An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Book of Kings

Many histories are books of kings and their reigns, to which the affairs of their kingdoms are reduced; this is a piece of honour that has commonly been paid to crowned heads. The holy Scripture is the history of the kingdom of God among men, under the several administrations of it; but there the King is one and his name one. The particular history now before us accounts for the affairs of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, yet with special regard to the kingdom of God among them; for still it is a sacred history, much more instructive and not less entertaining than any of the histories of the kings of the earth, to which (those of them that are of any certainty) it is prior in time; for though there were kings in Edom before there was any king in Israel, Gen 36:31 (foreigners, in that point of state, got the precedency), yet the history of the kings of Israel lives, and will live, in holy Writ, to the end of the world, whereas that of the kings of Edom is long since buried in oblivion; for the honour that comes from God is durable, while the honour of the world is like a mushroom, which comes up in a night and perishes in a night. - The Bible began with the story of patriarchs, and prophets, and judges, men whose converse with heaven was more immediate, the record of which strengthens our faith, but is not so easily accommodated to our case, now that we expect not visions, as the subsequent history of affairs like ours under the direction of common providence; and here also we find, though not many types and figures of the Messiah, yet great expectations of him; for not only prophets, but kings, desired to see the great mysteries of the gospel, Luk 10:24 - The two books of Samuel are introductions to the books of the Kings, as they relate the origin of the royal government in Saul and of the royal family in David. These two books give us an account of David's successor, Solomon, the division of his kingdom, and the succession of the several kings both of Judah and Israel, with an abstract of their history down to the captivity. And as from the book of Genesis we may collect excellent rules of economics, for the good governing of families, so from these books we may collect rules of politics, for the directing of public affairs. There is in these books special regard had to the house and lineage of David, from which Christ came. Some of his sons trod in his steps, and others did not. The characters of the kings of Judah may be thus briefly given: - David the devout, Solomon the wise, Rehoboam the simple, Abijah the valiant, Asa the upright, Jehoshaphat the religious, Jehoram the wicked, Ahaziah the profane, Joash the backslider, Amaziah the rash, Uzziah the mighty, Jotham the peaceable, Ahaz the idolater, Hezekiah the reformer, Manasseh the penitent, Amon the obscure, Josiah the tender-hearted, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, all wicked, and such as brought ruin quickly on themselves and their kingdom. The number of the good and bad is nearly equal, but the reigns of the good were generally long and those of the bad short, the consideration of which will make the state of Israel not altogether so bad in this period as at first it seems. In this first book we have, I. The death of David, ch. 1 and 2. II. The glorious reign of Solomon, and his building the temple (ch. 3-10), but the cloud his sun set under, ch. 11. III. The division of the kingdoms in Rehoboam, and his reign and Jeroboam's, ch. 12-14. IV. The reigns of Abijah and Asa over Judah, Baasha and Omri over Israel, ch. 15 and 16. V. Elijah's miracles, ch. 17-19. VI. Ahab's success against Benhadad, his wickedness and fall, ch. 20-22. And in all this history it appears that kings, though gods to us, are men to God, mortal and accountable.

Matthew Henry: 1 Kings 2 (Chapter Introduction)

In this chapter we have David setting and Solomon at the same time rising. I. The conclusion of David's reign with his life. 1. The charge he gives to Solomon upon his death-bed, in general, to serve God (1Ki 2:1-4), in particular, concerning Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei (1Ki 2:5-9). 2. His death and burial, and the years of his reign (1Ki 2:10, 1Ki 2:11). II. The beginning of Solomon's reign (1Ki 2:12). Though he was to be a prince of peace, he began his reign with some remarkable acts of justice, 1. Upon Adonijah, whom he put to death for his aspiring pretensions (1Ki 2:13-25). 2. Upon Abiathar, whom he deposed from the high priesthood for siding with Adonijah (1Ki 2:26, 1Ki 2:27). 3. Upon Joab, who he put to death for his late treasons and former murders (1Ki 2:28-35). 4. Upon Shimei, whom, for cursing David, he confined to Jerusalem (1Ki 2:36-38), and three years after, for transgressing the rules, put to death (1Ki 2:39-46).

Constable: 1 Kings (Book Introduction)

Introduction

Title

The Books of 1 and 2 Kings received their names because they document the reigns of the 40 kings of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah following David.¹

In the Hebrew Bible 1 and 2 Kings were one book until the sixteenth century. The ancients regarded them as the continuation of the narrative begun in Samuel. The Septuagint (Greek) translation of the Hebrew text, dating from about 250 B.C., was the first to divide Kings into two books. That division has continued to the present day. The Septuagint translators, however, called these two books 3 and 4 Kingdoms. First and 2 Kingdoms were our 1 and 2 Samuel. Jerome's Vulgate (Latin) translation, which dates about A.D. 400, changed the name from Kingdoms to Kings.

"The English Bible presents the books primarily as historical accounts. Their placement next to 1, 2 Chronicles demonstrates the collectors' interest in detailing all the events of Israel's history. In contrast, the Hebrew Bible places Joshua-Kings with the prophets, which highlights their common viewpoints. This decision implies that 1, 2 Kings are being treated as proclamation and history."²

Writer and Date

Most Old Testament scholars today believe several different individuals wrote and edited Kings because of theories concerning textual transmission that have gained popularity in the last 150 years. However, many conservatives have continued to follow the older tradition of the church that one individual probably put Kings together.³ This view finds support in the stylistic and linguistic features that run through the whole work and make it read like the product of a single writer. Some of these features are the way the writer described and summarized each king's reign, the consistent basis on which he evaluated all the kings, and recurring phrases and terms.

The identity of the writer is unknown today and has been for centuries. Ancient Jewish tradition suggested Ezra or Ezekiel as possible writers since both of these men were biblical writers who lived after the Babylonian exile. The record of King Jehoiachin's release from Babylonian captivity (2 Kings 25:27-30) points to a date of final composition sometime after that event. Jeremiah has traditional Talmudic support as well though he never went to Babylon but died in Egypt. Of course, someone else may have written Kings. Scholars have suggested these men only because they were famous writers who lived when Kings reached its final form.

Most non-conservatives date Kings considerably later than the sixth or fifth centuries.⁴

Scope

The historical period Kings covers totals about 413 years. The events that frame this period were Solomon's coronation as co-regent with David (973 B.C.) and Jehoiachin's release from Babylonian exile (560 B.C.).

However, most of Kings deals with the period that spans Solomon's coronation and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., a period of 387 years. In terms of the temple, at the beginning we see the temple built and at the end the temple burnt.

". . . 1, 2 Kings present Israel's history as a series of events that describe how and why the nation fell from the heights of national prosperity to the depths of conquest and exile."⁵

"More specifically, 1, 2 Kings explain how and why Israel lost the land it fought so hard to win in Joshua and worked so hard to organize in Judges and 1, 2 Samuel."⁶

"Plot relates the causes and effects in a story. Thus, the story line in 1, 2 Kings may be that Israel went into exile, but the plot is Israel went into exile because of its unfaithfulness to God. To make cause and effect unfold, plots normally have at least two basic aspects: conflict and resolution. A plot's conflict is the tension in a story that makes it an interesting account, while a plot's resolution is the way the conflict is settled. How the author develops these two components usually decides the shape and effectiveness of the plot."⁷

This historical period is more than twice that of the one the Books of Samuel covered, which was about 150 years in length. The Book of Judges covers about 300 years of Israel's history.

The dates of the kings of Israel and Judah that I have used in the following notes are those of Edwin Thiele.⁸ He has worked out the many problems regarding these dates more satisfactorily than anyone else in the opinion of most scholars.⁹

Message¹⁰

The fact that this book opens and closes with death should be a clue as to its message.

It opens with David's death, and it closes with Ahab's death. The intervening period of about a century and a half is a story of national decline, disruption, disintegration, and disaster. Israel and Judah passed from affluence and influence to poverty and paralysis.

There is an emphasis in this book on thrones.

Obviously there were the thrones of Judah and Israel on earth with their kings who succeeded one another. However there is also the throne in heaven with its one King. Rehoboam and Jeroboam had their successors, the kings who replaced one another. Yahweh also in a sense had His successors, the prophets who replaced one another as His messengers to the people. While the kings remind us of the thrones on earth, the prophets remind us of the throne in heaven.

The thrones on earth present a story of disruption, disintegration, and disaster in both kingdoms, Judah and Israel. This trend continued despite changes in the methods the various rulers employed to govern their people.

Solomon's method of government was oppression. He taxed the people greatly and conscripted them into government service. The result was material magnificence. He multiplied riches and manifested great displays in the temple, the palace, and throughout his kingdom. He increased the military strength of the nation. Nevertheless in the process he ground down the people. The state became more important than the people. The testimony to this appears in 12:4. The result was dissatisfaction with Solomon's method of government.

In reaction to this method Rehoboam chose a new method of government: autocracy. He decided to tighten his grip on the people so he could control them (12:14). He believed the people should trust in their rulers, but he did not trust in God. Consequently he failed. Autocracy led to revolution (12:16).

Jeroboam chose a third method of government: democracy. He let the people determine how they would live. While this resulted in more pleasant conditions for the people, it also resulted in ultimate disaster for his nation. Notice what democracy produced in Jeroboam's day: 12:27-29. People cannot rule themselves effectively. We need God to govern us. Jeroboam believed rulers should trust in the people, but he did not trust in God. Consequently he failed. He made religion convenient, and the people became corrupt (12:30-31).

Rehoboam's successors in Judah chose a method of government we could call government by policy. That is, they chose to follow precedent, the pattern of their predecessors, rather than getting and following God's direction for their nation. There were some exceptions to this approach, but on the whole this was Judah's method of government.

Jeroboam's successors in Israel, however, chose a different method of government: selfishness. The kings of Israel cared little for the people of Israel. What concerned them primarily was what they could get out of being king for themselves. That is why the story of the kingdom of Israel is a story of intrigue, assassinations, and much bloodshed.

In summary, every form of human government results in disastrous failure if people do not acknowledge God's sovereignty. People cannot govern themselves effectively. The result is always decline, disruption, and disintegration. This is one of the great revelations of 1 Kings.

However there is another throne in view in this book: the throne in heaven. Whereas 1 Kings reveals that human government always fails, it also reveals that God's government never fails. There are two ways God exercised His kingship over His people during Israel's monarchy.

First, He broke in on human life with messages that the prophets delivered. Ahijah announced the division of the kingdom (11:26-39). Later he announced the death of Jeroboam's son (14:4-16). Shemaiah directed Rehoboam not to fight against Jeroboam (12:21-24). An unnamed prophet announced the fate of Jeroboam's altar (13:1-10). Jehu announced Baasha's doom (16:1-4). Elijah vindicated Yahweh in the days of Ahab's apostasy (chs. 17-21). Another unnamed prophet rebuked Ahab for allowing Ben-Hadad to escape (20:35-43). Micaiah foretold Israel's scattering (22:8-28). These are all evidences that God was governing His people independently of the kings when they forgot Him. The heavenly throne ruled in spite of the earthly thrones.

The second way God exercised His rule, in addition to sending messages by the prophets, was by directly and indirectly intervening in the lives of His people. He appeared and spoke directly to Solomon, which resulted in the building of the temple. He raised up an adversary to Solomon, namely Jeroboam. He slew Abijah. He withheld rain and brought famine. He sent fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel. He sent rain. He appeared to Elijah in an earthquake. He enticed Ahab into battle through the mouths of lying prophets.

In short, God ruled by exercising direct and indirect influence over people, by directly intervening and by controlling circumstances occasionally. He manipulated history. God sits in perfect control and continuity over all the human chaos that peoples' failure to rule themselves causes.

The message of the book, therefore, is that when people exclude God, every method of human government will fail; but even so God is still on His throne and is in control.

If people exclude God, every method of government ends in disaster. Even though in Solomon's reign the king emphasized religious forms and ceremonies, internal development, foreign treaties, and intellectual attainment, his oppression did not bring stability and peace. Autocracy will end in revolution eventually. Democracy that locks God out can result in the most terrible consequences for the people whose interests it professes to advocate. Government by policy can only deteriorate. Selfish rulers will only rape their nations.

Man cannot govern himself because he does not know himself apart from God's Word. How can he govern others about whom he knows even less? If people do not submit to the throne in heaven, no matter what method of government they choose, they will fail. As Christians, we must remember who is in control. We must look beyond our government to our God.

First Kings also reveals God's method in the midst of human failures.

First, when a throne on earth rebels against the throne in heaven God abandons that throne on earth. He separated Himself from it. He allowed the evil choices of the rulers to work themselves out to their inevitable consequences. Departure leads to disaster. Apostasy results in awful consequences (cf. Rom. 1).

Second, God keeps some consciousness of Himself and His government alive in the hearts and minds of a remnant. The prophets spoke. All Christians exercise that ministry today. We should speak for God to our generation.

Third, God maintains ultimate control. He controls history directly and indirectly so His purposes get accomplished. The Christian never needs to panic. God has revealed His plan for history. Knowledge of the Word should give us stability in uncertain times.

What I have said is true on the national scale is also true on the individual level. If a person excludes God from his or her life, no matter how the person may live, he or she will fail. We can resist God's authority, but we cannot overcome it. People only break themselves by refusing to submit to the throne in heaven. People need reminding of the throne in heaven. These principles have worked out throughout history. God's plan moves ahead.

Constable: 1 Kings (Outline)

Outline

I. The reign of Solomon chs. 1-11

A. Solomon's succession to David's throne 1:1-2:12

1. David's declining health 1:1-4

2. Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne 1:5-53

3. David's charge to Solomon 2:1-9

4. David's death 2:10-12

B. The foundation of Solomon's reign 2:13-4:34

1. Solomon's purges 2:13-46

2. Solomon's wisdom from God ch. 3

3. Solomon's political strength ch. 4

C. Solomon's greatest contribution chs. 5-8

1. Preparations for building ch. 5

2. Temple construction ch. 6

3. Solomon's palace 7:1-12

4. The temple furnishings 7:13-51

5. The temple dedication ch. 8

D. The fruits of Solomon's reign chs. 9-11

1. God's covenant with Solomon 9:1-9

2. Further evidences of God's blessing 9:10-28

3. Solomon's greatness ch. 10

4. Solomon's apostasy ch. 11

II. The divided kingdom -1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17

A. The first period of antagonism 12:1-16:28

1. The division of the kingdom ch. 12

2. Jeroboam's evil reign in Israel 12:25-14:20

3. Rehoboam's evil reign in Judah 14:21-31

4. Abijam's evil reign in Judah 15:1-8

5. Asa's good reign in Judah 15:9-24

6. Nadab's evil reign in Israel 15:25-32

7. Baasha's evil reign in Israel 15:33-16:7

8. Elah's evil reign in Israel 16:8-14

9. Zimri's evil reign in Israel 16:15-20

10. Omri's evil reign in Israel 16:21-28

B. The period of alliance -1 Kings 16:29-2 Kings 9:29

1. Ahab's evil reign in Israel 16:29-22:40

2. Jehoshaphat's good reign in Judah 22:41-50

3. Ahaziah's evil reign in Israel -1 Kings 22:51-2 Kings 1:18

(Continued in notes on 2 Kings)

One writer observed that a chiastic structure marks the Books of Kings.¹¹

A Solomon/United Monarchy -- 1 Kings 1:1-11:25

B Jeroboam/Rehoboam; the division of the kingdom -- 1 Kings 11:26-14:31

C Kings of Judah/Israel -- 1 Kings 15:1-16:22

D The Omride dynasty; the rise and fall of the Baal cult in Israel and Judah -- -1 Kings 16:23-2 Kings 12

C' Kings of Judah/Israel -- 2 Kings 13-16

B' The fall of the Northern Kingdom -- 2 Kings 17

A' The Kingdom of Judah -- 2 Kings 18-25.

Constable: 1 Kings

1 Kings

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Copyright 2003 by Thomas L. Constable

Haydock: 1 Kings (Book Introduction)

THE THIRD BOOK OF KINGS.

INTRODUCTION.

This and the following Book are called by the holy Fathers, The Third and Fourth Book of Kings; but by the Hebrews, the First and Second. They contain the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Juda, from the beginning of the reign of Solomon to the captivity. As to the writer of these books, it seem most probable they were not written by one man, nor at one time; but as there was all along a succession of prophets in Israel, who recorded, by divine inspiration, the most remarkable things that happened in their days, these books seem to have been written by these prophets. See 2 Paralipomenon, alias 2 Chronicles ix. 29., xii. 15., xiii. 22., xx. 34., xxvi. 22., and xxxii. 32. (Challoner) --- This book informs us of the death of David, chap. ii. 11, where some Greek copies concluded the second book "of the reigns or kingdoms," as they style all the four books. Theodoret and Diodorus follow this division. The point is of no consequence; and the Hebrew editions have often varied. Origen observes, that the Jews denoted these two books from the first words, "Ouammelech David." (Eusebius, Hist. vi. 25.) (Haydock) --- In St. Jerome's time, the four books made only two. The present book details the actions of Solomon, (Calmet) till the end of the 12th chapter. Then we behold the division of the kingdom: Roboam, Abias, Asa, and Josaphat, reign over Juda; Jeroboam, &c., over Israel; while the prophets Abias, Elias, Eliseus, appear in the remaining eleven chapters. (Worthington) --- Though the memoirs seem to have been left by contemporary authors, (Haydock) one, and most probably Esdras, made the compilation, after the captivity, inserting frequently the very words of his authors, yet so as to make some additional reflections. (Calmet) --- The Rabbins generally attribute the work to Jeremias. (Haydock) --- He is more attentive to the house of David, and to display the rewards of the piety, and the punishment of vice, as well as the glory of the temple and of religion, than to describe the military exploits, which occupy so much of the profane history. (Calmet)

Gill: 1 Kings (Book Introduction)

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS

This, and the following book, properly are but one book, divided into two parts, and went with the Jews under the common name of Kings. This, in the Syriac version, is called the Book of Kings; and in the Arabic version, the Book of Solomon, the Son of David the Prophet, because it begins with his reign upon the death of his father; and, in the Vulgate Latin version, the Third Book of Kings, the two preceding books of Samuel being sometimes called the First and Second Books of Kings, they containing the reigns of Saul and David; and in the Septuagint version both this and the following book are called Kingdoms, because they treat of the kingdom of Israel and Judah, after the division in the times of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and of the several kings of them; as of Solomon before the division, so afterwards of the kings of Judah; Rehoboam, Abijam, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Jehoash, Amaziah, Uzziah or Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah; and of the kings of Israel, Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam the son of Joash, Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea; so that these books may, with great propriety, be called the books or histories of the kings in the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel: who they were written by, is not easy to say; some think they were written by piecemeal by the prophets that lived in the several reigns successively, as Nathan, Ahijah the Shilonite, Iddo, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, and afterwards put together by an inspired writer. The Jews commonly say ^a, that Jeremiah wrote the book of the Kings, by which they mean this, and the following book; though very probably they were written by Ezra, since the history in them is carried down to the liberty granted to Jehoiachin in Babylon; but that Ezra was the writer of all the preceding historical books, and even of the Pentateuch, cannot be admitted, which is the conceit of Spinosa ^b; part of whose tract is just now republished by somebody, word for word, under a title as in the margin ^c; but that Ezra was not the writer of the Pentateuch is clear, since he refers to it as written by Moses, and as the rule of religion and worship in his times, Ezr 3:2; and it is certain these writings were in being in the times of Josiah, Amaziah, Joash, yea, of David, and even of Joshua, 2Ch 34:14; and as for the book of Joshua, that also was written long before Ezra's time; it must be written long before the times of David, before the Jebusites were expelled from Jerusalem, since the writer of it says, that they dwelt there in his days, Jos 15:63; the book of Judges must be written before the times of Samuel and David, since the former refers to the annals of it, 1Sa 12:9; and the latter alludes to some passages in it, Psa 68:7; see Jdg 5:4; and a speech of Joab's, 2Sa 11:21, shows it to be an history then extant: to which may be added, that in it Jerusalem is called Jebus, Jdg 19:10; which it never was, after it was taken by David out of the hands of the Jebusites, 2Sa 5:6; the book of Ruth very probably was written by Samuel; had it been of a later date, or written by Ezra, the genealogy with which it concludes, would doubtless have been carried further than to David: the Book of Samuel, and particularly the song of Hannah in it, were written in all probability before the penning of the hundred thirteenth psalm, Psa 113:1, in which some expressions seem to be taken from it wherefore, though the two books of Kings may be allowed to be written or compiled by Ezra, the ten preceding ones cannot be assigned to him: however, there is no room to doubt of the divine authority of these two books, when the honour our Lord has done them is observed, by quoting or referring to several histories in them; as to the account of the queen of Sheba coming to hear the wisdom of Solomon; of the famine in the times of Elijah; and of that prophet being sent to the widow of Sarepta, and of the cleansing of Naaman the Syrian in the times of Elisha, Mat 12:42 from 1Ki 17:1 2Ki 5:10; to which may be added, the quotations and references made by the apostles to passages in them, as by the Apostle Paul in Rom 11:2 from 1Ki 19:14 where this book is expressly called the Scripture; and by the Apostle James, Jam 5:17; who manifestly refers to 1Ki 17:1; and there are various things in this part of Scripture, which are confirmed by the testimonies of Heathen writers, as will be observed in the exposition of it. The use of these books is to carry on the history of the Jewish nation, to show the state of the church of God in those times, and his providential care of it amidst all the changes and vicissitudes in the state; and, above all, to transmit to us the true genealogy of the Messiah, which serves to confirm the Evangelist Matthew's account of it.

Gill: 1 Kings 2 (Chapter Introduction)

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 2

This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1Ki 2:1; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1Ki 2:5; and the next account in it is concerning his death and burial, and the years of his reign, 1Ki 2:10; after which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah, which was refused, and the issue of it was his death, 1Ki 2:12; and the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood, 1Ki 2:26; and the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders, 1Ki 2:28; in whose post Benaiah was put, as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar, 1Ki 2:35; and lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem, who had cursed David, 1Ki 2:36; who upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death, 1Ki 2:39.