1 Kings 3:18
1 Kings 3:25
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.
1 Kings 5:12
promised ......... peace <01696 07965> [as he promised him.]
<08147> [they two.]
1 Kings 5:14
month ........ month ...... months <02320> [a month.]
Adoniram <0141> [Adoniram.]
1 Kings 7:20
pomegranate-shaped <07416> [and the pomegranates.]
1 Kings 7:24
ornaments ......... ornaments <06497> [knops.]
round ... arranged in settings ................. Sea <05437 05362 03220> [compassing the sea.]
1 Kings 9:10
After twenty <06242 07097> [at the end of twenty.]
1 Kings 10:19-20
<0310> [behind. Heb. on the hinder part thereof. stays. Heb. hands.]
lions <0738> [lions.]
like <06213 03651> [the like made. Heb. so made.]
1 Kings 14:20
passed away <07901> [slept. Heb. lay down.]
Nadab <05070> [Nadab.]
1 Kings 15:25
Nadab <05070> [A.M. 3050-3051. B.C. 954-953. Nadab.]
king ..... ruled <04427> [began to reign. Heb. reigned.]
1 Kings 16:23
thirty-first <07970> [A.M. 3079-3086. B.C. 925-918. the thirty.]
As it is stated in verses 10 and 15, that Zimri began to reign in the 27th year of Asa; and as he reigned only seven days, and Omri immediately succeeded him, this could not be the 31st, but in the 27th year of Asa. Jarchi, from Sedar Olam, reconciles this, by stating that Tibni and Omri began to reign jointly in the 27th year of Asa; and that Tibni dying about five years afterwards, Omri began to reign alone in the 31st year of Asa.
year ............... twelve years <08147 08141> [twelve years.]
1 Kings 18:31
stones <08147 068> [twelve stones.]
said <0559> [saying.]
1 Kings 20:16
Ben Hadad <01130> [Ben-hadad.]
thirty-two <07970> [the thirty.]
The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, while he was drinking at noon. Drunkenness is a sin which is most detestable in all, but more so in a king than in a private individual, inasmuch as the greater weight a man's situation carries, whether from accumulated riches, family connections, hereditary authority, or invested command, so is the influence which his vices must have on those around him. Perhaps it may be said, from past experience, that drunkenness, which is a most heinous sin in the sight of God, may be charged on those who indulge only now and then in that which may eventually lead them into drunkenness; for they shut their eyes against the most palpable facts, and rather than give up the paltry gratification of a debauch, involve thousands by their example to positive harm. Benhadad's drunkenness was the forerunner of his fall. Belshazzar also, we read, drank wine with his princes, his wives, and his concubines, and praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone: and in the same hour came forth the finger of a man's hand and wrote his doom on the plaster of the wall. Those who fancy themselves perfectly secure, and above the possibility of falling, are commonly nearest their destruction: there is always an Ahab read to take advantage of and improve the self-imposed imbecility.
1 Kings 20:27
supplies <03557> [were all present. or, were victualled.]
two <08147> [like two.]
1 Kings 21:10
villains <01121 01100> [sons of Belial.]
cursed <01288> [Thou didst blaspheme.]
Some, with Parkhurst, would render the original, {bairachta elohim wamailech,} "Thou hast blessed the gods and Molech;" a sense, however, which seems extremely forced, and is not acknowledged by any of the ancient versions, though the LXX. and Vulgate render {bairachta} by [eulogese,] {benedixit,} "blessed." It is no unusual thing for a word to have opposite senses.
