1 Kings 2 David lying on his death-bed, giveth charge to Solomon of a religious life, 1 Kings 2:1–4. Of Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei, 1 Kings 2:5–9. He dieth: Solomon succeedeth, 1 Kings 2:10–12. Adonijah suing for Abishag, is put to death, 1 Kings 2:13–25.

Of all the earth, i.e. of all men upon the earth. Compare Josh. 23:14, Heb. 9:27. Be thou strong; for to govern his people according to the law of God, as it here follows, requires great fortitude or strength of mind; to arm himself against the subtle devices and evasions of some; against the…

The charge of the Lord thy God, i.e. what God hath charged or commanded thee to do; the act being put for the object; as is usual. In the law of Moses; which the prince was enjoined to transcribe and read, Deut. 17:18, that he might govern his own and his people’s actions by it.

Confirm his word, i.e. fulfil his promise, the condition upon which it was suspended being performed. Take heed to their ways, i.e. diligently observe all their actions, to order them according to God’s word.

Did to me, i.e. against me; either, first, Directly and immediately; how insolently and imperiously he hath carried himself towards me from time to time, trampling upon my authority and commands when they thwarted his humour or interest, provoking my spirit by his words and actions. See 2 Sam.

According to thy wisdom, i.e. what in reason and justice thou seest fit. For though I was forced to forbear him when it was in a manner out of my power to punish him, yet I never forgave him; and therefore do thou wisely and severely examine all his actions, and particularly this last rebellion,…

Quest. Why doth he not require the like kindness to Mephibosheth the son of his dear Jonathan? Answ. Either he and his were now extinct, or by their after-miscarriages had forfeited his favour. For so, i.e.

With thee, i.e. in thy power, as that phrase is oft used. Cursed me with a grievous curse; or, reproached me with bitter reproaches, 2 Sam. 16:7–8; which David could not but deeply resent from him, though, as it was an affliction sent from God, he patiently submitted to it.

Hold him not guiltless; though I have spared his life, do not treat him as an innocent person, neither let him go wholly unpunished. Thou art a wise man, and therefore wilt easily find out just occasions to chastise him, especially considering his perverse and wicked disposition.

Slept with his fathers; See Poole “1 Kings 1:21”, See Poole “Deut. 31:16”. In the city of David, i.e. in that part of Jerusalem which was called by his name, because he took it from the Jebusites. See 2 Sam. 5:7, 1 Chron. 11:5, 2 Chron. 5:2.

Seven years; more precisely, seven years and six months, 2 Sam. 5:5; but smaller sums are oft neglected in Scripture computations.

Being settled upon him with universal consent and approbation, and with the hearty affections of his people, which all wise men know to be a prince’s best and surest establishment.

Comest thou peaceably, or with some evil design upon me or my son? which she might well surmise, knowing his ambition and envy at Solomon, and his hatred against her, as the chief occasion of his dejection.

The kingdom was mine, both by birthright and by actual inauguration. It seems he could not yet forget his pretence to the crown, nor his ambition for it, but continues his claim; which, it seems, Solomon did apprehend and resent, though Bath-sheba did not; the wives and concubines of the late king…

Deny me not, Heb. do not turn away my face, i.e. do not send me out of thy presence sad or ashamed. Compare 2 Chron. 6:42, Ps. 132:10.

Which though it was against a positive law of God, Lev. 18:7, yet either Adonijah might be ignorant of it, being a man more studied in the affairs of the court than in the book of God; or might think her not concerned in it, because David knew her not, 1 Kings 1:4.

The most honourable place next to the king’s. See 2 Chron. 18:18, Neh. 8:4, Ps. 45:9, Matt. 20:21.

One small petition; so she esteemed it, because she did not perceive his design in it; and as for that law, Lev. 18:7, she might apprehend, that because David knew her not, it was only a contract for marriage, and therefore no impediment of her marriage to any other after his death; which also is…

Thy brother, by the father’s side, whom brotherly affection and relation obligeth thee to gratify, at least, in small things.

Ask for him the kingdom also: his design is not upon Abishag, but upon the kingdom; which, by this means, he thinks to recover; partly because she was the last king’s wife, or concubine, which might strengthen his pretence to the crown; see 2 Sam. 3:7, 2 Sam. 12:8, 2 Sam.

Sware by the Lord; once here, and again, 1 Kings 2:24; which he did to oblige himself irrevocably to it, and to prevent all intercessions for his life, it being of so great importance to him.

Though Adonijah be my elder brother, yet I have an undoubted right and title to the crown, and that from the promise and appointment of that God who disposeth of all kingdoms, and especially this of Israel, to whom he pleaseth; and therefore Adonijah in this and his former attempt is guilty of…

For the execution of justice was not then committed to obscure persons, as now it is; but to persons of great honour and authority. See Judg. 8:21, 1 Sam. 22:18, 2 Sam. 1:15, 2 Sam. 4:12. He fell upon him with a sword, or other instrument of death; as below, 1 Kings 2:32, 1 Kings 2:34, 1 Kings 2:46.

To Anathoth, a city of the priests, Josh. 21:18, to lead a private life there. Unto thine own fields; either that part of the suburbs which fell to his share, or other land which he had purchased there. See Jer. 32:7.

From being priest unto the Lord; either from his office, or at least, from the execution of his office. For some think that he was thrust from his office before David’s death, when Zadok was formerly made priest, i.e. high priest, in his stead, 1 Chron. 29:22.

Tidings came to Joab, concerning Adonijah’s death, and Abiathar’s deposition. The tabernacle of the Lord then was at Gibeon, 1 Kings 3:4, compared with 2 Chron. 1:3, 2 Chron. 1:5. Caught hold on the horns of the altar; of which see before, 1 Kings 1:50.

To wit, if he will not come thence, as I foresee he will not.

Thus saith the king, Come forth: that the king gave him this command, though it be not mentioned before, is evident, both from the nature of the thing; for Solomon would not pollute the altar without necessity; and from Benaiah’s affirmation of it; for why should he tell a lie without a cause? and…

Do as he hath said; either, 1. Kill him in that place; and for so doing Solomon might seem to have warrant from God, Ex. 21:14, and might further design by this just severity to deter future offenders, by showing that no place nor person should protect them from the stroke of justice. Or rather, 2.

His blood, i.e. the guilt of the blood which he shed. More righteous and better than he; of more ingenuous and generous tempers, abhorring from all such treacherous practices; and both of them then devoted to and employed in my service.

Upon the head of his seed for ever; either as long as he shall have a posterity, or for a long time, as that phrase is commonly used; but in and by this execution of justice upon him, and such malefactors, my throne shall be established, and God will bless me and mine with peace and prosperity.

Places which have but few houses and inhabitants are oft so called in Scripture, as Isa. 42:11, Jer. 25:24, Ezek. 34:25.

He now put him in the execution of that office to which he may seem to have been anointed before, 1 Chron. 29:22; but of that, See Poole “1 Chron. 29:27”.

This Solomon ordered, partly, for his own security, that being removed from that place where his kindred, and estate, and interest lay, to a place where he was but a stranger, and sufficiently odious for his former and never-to-be-forgotten insolency towards his lord and king, he might be incapable…

The brook Kidron; a brook nigh unto Jerusalem, of which see 2 Sam. 15:23, 2 Kings 23:4; which he particularly names, because that was the way to Bahurim, his former and settled habitation: but this is not to be understood exclusively to other ways and places; for the restraint was general, that he…

The saying is good; thy sentence is much more merciful than I expected or deserved. So will thy servant do; and Shimei did not only promise it, but also swore to it; being required by Solomon to do so, as is manifest from 1 Kings 2:42–43.

Achish son of Maachah king of Gath; a king, but subject and tributary, first to David, and then to Solomon. This might be either that Achish who showed so much kindness to David, 1 Sam. 27:0, 1 Sam.

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…

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

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.

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.

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.

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.