1 Kings 2:13--4:34
Adonijah <0138> [Adonijah.]
visited ......... come <0935> [Comest.]
know <03045> [Thou knowest.]
Lord <03068> [for it was.]
refuse ..... Go ahead <06440 07725> [deny me not. Heb. turn not away my face.]
Abishag <049> [Abishag.]
That's <02896> [Well.]
So ............... got up <06965> [rose up.]
sat .................. sat <03427> [she sat.]
ask ................. ask <07592> [I desire.]
ask ................. ask <07592> [Ask on.]
Abishag <049> [Let Abishag.]
request ................ request <07592> [why dost.]
kingdom <04410> [the kingdom.]
God <0430> [God.]
Adonijah <0138> [if Adonijah.]
We have already seen, that the whole harem of an eastern monarch was a part of the regal succession (See note on 2 Sa 16:23); and it was treason for a subject to claim any wife or virgin who had once formed a part of it. Solomon evidently considered the request of Adonijah in this light; and was convinced that he was still aiming to seize the crown, to which he considered this as one step. But it is very doubtful, how far the plea either of policy or state necessity can justify Solomon in thus embruing his hands in his brother's blood, whatever might have been his treasonable intentions or conduct.
<01696> [spoken.]
Lord <03068> [as the Lord.]
sit ...... throne <03427 03678> [set me.]
dynasty <06213 01004> [made me.]
promised <01696> [as he promised.]
executed <04191> [put.]
killed <06293> [he fell.]
Abiathar <054> [Abiathar.]
Anathoth <06068> [Anathoth.]
deserve ... die <04194 0376> [worthy of death. Heb. a man of death.]
carry <05375> [barest.]
suffered ..... through .... difficult <06031> [hast been.]
Solomon <08010> [So Solomon.]
This was for having taken part with Adonijah; but by it a remarkable prophecy was fulfilled. God had told Eli, (1 Sa 2:30-36) that the priesthood should depart from his house; Abiathar was the last of the priests of Ithamar, of which family was Eli the high priest. Zadok, who succeeded, was of the family of Eleazar; and by this change the priesthood reverted to its ancient channel.
fulfilling <04390> [that he.]
Shiloh <07887> [Shiloh.]
Joab ... Joab ... supported ....... supported ... he <03097 05186> [Joab had.]
grabbed hold <02388> [caught.]
beside <0681> [he is by.]
<03212> [Go.]
Do <06213> [Do.]
away <05493> [that thou.]
Joab's <03097> [which.]
family <01004> [and from.]
<07725> [return.]
innocent <06662> [more righteous.]
father <01> [my father.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
Jether <03500> [Jether.]
[Ithra.]
David <01732> [upon David.]
family <01004> [his house.]
Benaiah <01141> [Benaiah.]
executed <06293> [and fell.]
It appears that he slew him at the very altar. The altar was so sacred among all the people, that, in general, even the vilest wretch found safety, if he once reached it. This led to many abuses, and the perversion of public justice; and God decreed (Ex 24:14) that the presumptuous murderer, who had taken refuge at his altar, should be dragged thence and put to death.
buried <06912> [buried.]
wilderness <04057> [in the.]
army <06635> [in his room.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
Shimei <08096> [Shimei.]
Build <01129> [Build.]
No doubt Solomon suspected that Shimei's influence would be dangerous upon his own estate and among his numerous dependents in different parts of the land; and therefore he proposed to him, as the condition of his indemnity for former crimes, that he should live in Jerusalem under his eye, and by no means remove thence. These terms Shimei readily agreed to, and solemnly swore to observe them; and for three years he lived unmolested and in affluence. But growing secure, in contempt of Solomon's authority and of the oath of God, upon an unnecessary business he took a journey, which according to his own engagement forfeited his life. Thus the Lord left him to be infatuated, that due punishment might be inflicted upon him; in order that every ringleader of opposition to Solomon's kingdom might be crushed, and others be intimidated by their examples. Solomon's throne by the death of this man was established in peace, and became a type of the Redeemer's kingdom of peace and righteousness.--SCOTT.
cross .... Valley <05674 05158> [over the.]
[Cedron. thy blood.]
proposal <01697> [The saying.]
Achish <0397> [A.M. 2993. B.C. 1011. An. Ex. Is. 480. Achish.]
got <06965> [arose.]
oath <07650> [Did I not.]
said .................... warned ................... said <0559> [and thou saidst.]
broken <08104> [Why.]
order <04687> [commandment.]
aware <03045> [Thou knowest.]
punish <07725> [return.]
be empowered <01288> [blessed.]
dynasty <03678> [the throne.]
kingdom <04467> [the kingdom.]
marriage <02859> [A.M. 2990. B.C. 1014. An. Ex. Is. 477. affinity.]
married <03947> [and took.]
City <05892> [the city.]
residence .... temple <01004> [his own.]
residence .... temple <01004> [the house.]
wall <02346> [the wall.]
people <05971> [the people.]
It was not right to offer sacrifices in any place but where the tabernacle and ark were; and wherever they were, whether on a high place or a plain, sacrifices might be lawfully offered, previously to building of the temple. The tabernacle was now at Gibeon, (2 Ch 1:3,) which was therefore called the great high place; whither we find Solomon, without censure, repaired to sacrifice.
temple <01004> [was no.]
demonstrated his loyalty <0157> [loved.]
<03212> [walking.]
sacrifices <02076> [only he.]
Gibeon <01391> [Gibeon.]
thousand <0505> [a thousand.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
dream <02472> [in a dream.]
Tell me ..... give <07592 05414> [Ask what.]
servant <05650> [thy servant.]
great ..................... great <01419> [great.]
loyalty ..................... loyalty <02617> [mercy. or, bounty.]
<01980> [according.]
allowing <05414> [that.]
servant <05650> [thou hast.]
young <06996> [a little.]
inexperienced <03318> [to go.]
people ...... nation <05971> [thy people.]
count <04487> [cannot.]
give ... servant <05414 05650> [Give therefore.]
discerning <08085> [understanding. Heb. hearing.]
make judicial decisions ................ make judicial decisions <08199> [to judge.]
distinguish <0995> [discern.]
able <03201> [who is able.]
pleased <03190> [pleased.]
asked ...... make wise judicial ..... for ....... vengeance <07592> [hast not.]
[long life. Heb. many days. discern. Heb. hear.]
<06213> [I have done.]
give <05414> [I have given.]
succeed <0310> [neither.]
giving <05414> [And I.]
riches <06239> [riches.]
<0376> [shall not be. or, hath not been.]
<03212> [if thou.]
father <01> [as thy.]
long <0748> [I will lengthen.]
woke <03364> [awoke.]
before <06440> [before.]
peace offerings <08002> [peace offerings.]
feast <04960> [a feast.]
two prostitutes <0802 08147> [two women.]
<02181> [harlots.]
The word {zanoth,} rendered harlots, is here translated by the Targumist, the best judge in this case, {pundekon,} "tavern-keepers:" see on Jos 2:1.
Had these women been harlots, it is not likely that they would have dared to appear before Solomon; nor is it likely that such persons would have been permitted in the reign of David. Their husbands might at this time have been following their necessary occupations in distant parts.
stood <05975> [stood.]
master <0994 0113> [O my lord.]
middle <08432> [midnight.]
took <03947> [took.]
son ...................... baby <01121> [give.]
alive ................... alive <02416> [Nay.]
Cut <01504> [Divide.]
This was apparently a very strange decision; but Solomon saw that the only way to discover the real mother was by the affection and tenderness should would necessarily shew to her offspring. The plan was tried, and succeeded; and it was a proof of his sound judgment, penetration, and acquaintance with the human heart, or rather, of his extraordinary and supernatural wisdom. See ver. 28. The two following instances are in some faint manner to be compared to Solomon's decision, inasmuch as they also work upon the human sympathies. Suetonius, in his Life of the emperor Claudian, tells us, that this emperor discovered a woman to be the real mother of a young man, whom she refused to acknowledge, by commanding her to marry him, the proofs being doubtful on both sides; for, rather than commit incest, she confessed the truth. Diodorus Siculus also informs us, that Ariopharnes, king of Thrace, being appointed to decided between three young men, each of whom professed to be the son of the deceased king of the Cimmerians, and claimed the succession, discovered the real son by ordering each to shoot an arrow into the dead body of the king: two of them did this without hesitation; but the real son of the deceased monarch refused.
motherly instincts <07356> [her bowels.]
aroused <03648> [yearned. Heb. were hot.]
give .... living <05414 02416> [give her.]
respected <03372> [feared.]
wisdom <02451> [the wisdom.]
possessed <07130> [in him. Heb. in the midst of him. to do.]
Israel <03478> [over all Israel.]
officials <08269> [the princes.]
That is, great, chief, or principal men; for none of them were princes, in the common acceptation of the word.
Azariah <05838> [Azariah.]
priest <03548> [priest. or, chief officer.]
Shisha <07894> [Shisha.]
[Sheva.]
[Shavsha. scribes. or, secretaries. recorder. or, remembrancer.]
Benaiah <01141> [Benaiah.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
son ... Nathan ......... son ... Nathan <05416 01121> [son of Nathan.]
district <05324> [the officers.]
[the principal.]
king <04428> [the king's.]
Adoniram <0141> [Adoniram.]
[Adoram. tribute. or, levy.]
district <05324> [officers.]
These are doubtless to be considered as general receivers; for, as Sir John Chardin observes, "the revenues of the princes of the East are paid in the fruits and productions of the earth: there are no other taxes on the peasants."
Each <0259> [each man.]
Ben-Hur <01133> [The son of Hur. or, Ben-hur.]
Ben-Deker <01128> [The son of Dekar. or, Ben-dekar. Shaalbim.]
[Shaalabbin. Beth-shemesh.]
Ben-Hesed <01136> [The son of Hesed. or, Ben-hesed. Sochoh.]
Hepher <02660> [Hepher.]
Ben-Abinadab <01125> [The son of Abinadab. or, Ben-abinadab. Dor.]
Taanach <08590> [Taanach.]
Megiddo <04023> [Megiddo.]
Beth Shan ........ Beth Shan <01052> [Beth-shean.]
Zarethan <06891> [Zartanah.]
[Zarthan.]
[Zaretan. Jezreel.]
Abel Meholah <065> [Abel-meholah.]
Ben-Geber <01127> [The son of Geber. or, Ben-geber. Ramoth-gilead.]
villages <02333> [the towns.]
Argob <0709> [Argob.]
sixty large ... cities <08346 01419 05892> [threescore great cities.]
These were the fortified cities; their gates and bars being covered with plates of brass.
Mahanaim <04266> [Mahanaim. or, to Mahanaim.]
Naphtali <05321> [Naphtali.]
daughter <01323> [the daughter.]
Asher <0836> [Asher.]
Issachar <03485> [Issachar.]
Shimei <08096> [Shimei.]
Benjamin <01144> [Benjamin.]
land ..... territory ........ Sihon ................. area <05511 0776> [the country of Sihon.]
sand <02344> [as the sand.]
eat <0398> [eating.]
Solomon ............................ Solomon's <08010> [Solomon.]
<05066> [brought.]
consumed <03899> [provision. Heb. bread. measures. Heb. cors.]
ten ... fattened <06235 01277> [Ten fat.]
rams <0354> [harts.]
Dr. Shaw understands {ayil} as the name of the genus, including all the species of the deer kind, whether they are distinguished by round horns, as the stag, or by flat ones, as the fallow deer, or by the smallness of the branches, as the roe.
gazelles <06643> [roe-bucks.]
See note on De 15:22.
deer <03180> [fallow-deer.]
{Yachmur,} rendered {bubalus} by the Vulgate, probably the buffalo; and though "the flesh of a buffalo does not seem so well tasted as beef, being harder and more coarse," yet in our times, "persons of distinction, as well as the common people, and even the European merchants, eat a good deal of it, in the countries where that animal abounds." Niebuhr, Descrip. de l'Arab p. 146.
Gaza <05804> [Azzah.]
[Gaza. all the kings.]
peace <07965> [had peace.]
security <0983> [safely. Heb. confidently.]
everyone <0376> [every man.]
Dan <01835> [from Dan.]
4,000 ........ 12,000 <0505 0705> [forty thousand.]
district governors <05324> [those officers.]
<07409> [dromedaries. or, mules, or swift beasts.]
God <0430> [God.]
breadth <07341> [largeness.]
sand <02344> [as the sand.]
men <01121> [the children.]
wiser ............ sages ... Egypt <02451 04714> [the wisdom of Egypt.]
wiser <02449> [wiser.]
Ethan <0387> [Ethan.]
Heman <01968> [Heman.]
famous <08034> [his fame.]
composed <01696> [he spake.]
songs <07892> [songs.]
cedars <0730> [the cedar tree.]
The word {airez,} whence the Chaldee and Syriac {arzo,} and the Arabic and Ethiopic {arz,} and Spanish {alerze,} unquestionably denotes the cedar; it is thus rendered by the LXX. and other versions, [kedros,] and by the Vulgate {cedrus;} and the inhabitants of mount Lebanon still call it {ars.} The cedar is a large and nobel evergreen tree, and grows on the most elevated part of the mountain, is taller than the pine, and so thick that five men together could scarcely fathom one. It shoots out its branches at ten or twelve feet from the ground; they are large and distant from each other, and are perpetually green. The wood is of a brown colour, very solid and incorruptible, if preserved from wet. The tree bears a small cone, like that of the pine.
hyssop <0231> [the hyssop.]
animals <0929> [of beasts.]
