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.

David, as recorded in the foregoing chapter, had, by the great mercy of God, escaped the sword of the destroying angel. But our deliverances from or through diseases and dangers are but reprieves; if the candle be not blown out, it will burn out of itself.

David had much affliction in his children. Amnon and Absalom had both been his grief; the one his first-born, the other his third, 2 Sam. 3:2–3. His second, whom he had by Abigail, we will suppose he had comfort in; his fourth was Adonijah ; he was one of those that were born in Hebron; we have…

We have here the effectual endeavours that were used by Nathan and Bathsheba to obtain from David a ratification of Solomon’s succession, for the crushing of Adonijah’s usurpation. 1. David himself knew not what was doing.

We have here the effectual care David took both to secure Solomon’s right and to preserve the public peace, by crushing Adonijah’s project in the bud. Observe, I. The express orders he gave for the proclaiming of Solomon.

We have here, I. The tidings of Solomon’s inauguration brought to Adonijah and his party, in the midst of their jollity: They had made an end of eating, and, it should seem, it was a great while before they made an end, for all the affair of Solomon’s anointing was ordered and finished while they…