1,2 David, having given a charge to Solomon 3,4 of religiousness 5,6 of Joab 7 of Barzillai 8,9 of Shimei 10,11 Solomon succeeds 12 Adonijah, moving Bath-sheba to sue unto Solomon for Abishag, 13-25 is put to death 26,27 Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood 28-34 Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain 35 Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's 36-46 Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going thence to Gath, is put to death.

the days Ge 47:29 De 31:14 33:1 2Ti 4:6 2Pe 1:13-15

charged Nu 27:19 De 3:28 31:23 Ac 20:28-31 1Ti 1:18 6:13 2Ti 4:1

2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man;

I go Jos 23:14 Job 16:22 30:23 Ps 89:48 Heb 9:27

be thou De 17:19,20 31:6 Jos 1:6,7 1Ch 28:20 Eph 6:10 2Ti 2:1

and shew 1Ki 3:7 2Sa 10:12 Ec 12:13 1Co 16:13 1Ti 4:12

3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

And keep De 29:9 Jos 1:7 22:5 1Ch 22:12,13 28:8,9 29:19

statues De 4:1,5,8 5:1 6:1,2

testimonies De 4:45 Ps 19:7 119:2,111,138

written De 17:18-20 Mal 4:4

that thou De 29:9

prosper. or, do wisely. Jos 1:7,8 1Sa 18:5,14,30 2Ch 31:20,21 Ps 1:2,3 119:98-100 Pr 3:1-4

whithersoever 2Sa 8:6,14 2Ki 18:7

4 That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

That the Lord Ge 18:19 De 7:12 1Ch 28:9 Joh 15:9,10 Jude 1:20,21,24

his word 2Sa 7:11-16,25 1Ch 17:11-15 22:9-11 28:5-7 Ps 89:29-37 132:11,12

walk 1Ki 3:3,14 8:23 Ge 17:1 Le 26:3 2Ki 20:3 23:3,25 2Ch 17:3 Lu 1:6

with all their heart De 6:5 10:12 11:13 Mt 22:37

fail, etc. [heb] be cut off from thee from the throne 1Ki 8:25 2Sa 7:12,13,16 Ps 37:9,22 Zec 14:2

5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

Joab 1Ki 1:7,18,19 2Sa 3:39 18:5,12,14 19:5-7

Abner 2Sa 3:27

Amasa 2Sa 20:10

Jether 2Sa 17:25

Ithra
shed [heb] put
put Jer 2:34 6:15 Eze 24:7,8

6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.

according 1Ki 2:9 Pr 20:26

let 1Ki 2:23-34 Ge 9:6 Nu 35:33 Pr 28:17 Ec 8:11 Isa 65:20

in Ge 42:38 2Ki 22:20 Ps 37:37 Isa 48:22 57:2,21

7 But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

Barzillai 2Sa 17:27-29 19:31-40 Pr 27:10

eat 2Sa 9:7,10 19:28 Lu 12:37 22:28-30 Re 3:20,21

when I fled 2Sa 15:13-15

8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

Shimei 1Ki 2:24-46 2Sa 16:5-8

grievous [heb] strong
he came 2Sa 19:16-23 Jer 4:2

9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

hold him Do not consider him as an innocent man; for, as thou art a wise man, and knowest how to treat such persons, threat him as he deserves; only as I have sworn to him that I would not put him to death, `bring NOT his hoar head down to the grave with blood.' So Solomon understood David; for, after he had commanded Joab to be slain, in obedience to his father, he sent for Shimei, and knowing he ought to be well watched, he confined him to Jerusalem for the rest of his life: and so it appears David should be understood; for the negative particle {lo}, in the former clause, `hold him {not} guiltless,' should be repeated in the latter clause, though not expressed; instances of which frequently occur in the Hebrew Scriptures. Jud 5:30 1Sa 2:3 Ps 1:5 9:18 38:1 75:5 Pr 5:16 24:12

This is the view taken of the subject by Dr. Kennicott, and it seems the best and most correct mode of interpreting the text. Ex 20:7 22:28 Job 9:28

wise 1Ki 3:12,28

his 1Ki 2:6 Ge 42:38 44:31

with Nu 32:23

10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

So David 1Ki 1:21 1Ch 29:28 Ac 2:29 13:36

the city 1Ki 3:1 11:43 2Sa 5:7 1Ch 11:7

11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

reigned over 2Sa 5:4 1Ch 29:26,27

12 Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.

A.M. 2990 B.C. 1014 An. Ex. Is. 477
sat Solomon 1Ki 1:46 1Ch 29:23-25 2Ch 1:1 Ps 132:12

his kingdom 2Sa 7:12,13,29 Ps 72:8 89:36,37

13 And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.

Adonijah 1Ki 1:5-10,50-53

Comest 1Sa 16:4,5 2Ki 9:18-22 1Ch 12:17,18 Lu 10:5,6

14 He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on.

2Sa 14:12 Lu 7:40

15 And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.

Thou knowest 1Ki 1:5,25 2Sa 15:6,13 16:18

for it was 2Sa 7:12 12:24 1Ch 22:9,10 28:5-7 Pr 21:30 Jer 27:5-8 Da 2:22

16 And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.

deny me not [heb] turn not away my face Ps 132:10 Pr 30:7

17 And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.

Abishag 1Ki 1:2-4 2Sa 3:7 12:8

18 And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.

Well Pr 14:15

19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.

rose up Ex 20:12 Le 19:3,32

she sat Ps 45:9 110:1 Mt 25:33

20 Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.

I desire Mt 20:20,21 Joh 2:3,4

Ask on Mt 7:7-11 18:19 10:35,36 11:24 Lu 11:9,10 Joh 14:13,14 15:16

21 And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.

Let Abishag 2Sa 16:21,22

22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

why dost Mt 20:22 Mr 10:38 Jas 4:3

the kingdom 1Ki 1:5-7,11,24,25

23 Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

God 1Ki 20:10 Ru 1:17 1Sa 14:44 2Sa 3:9,35 19:13 2Ki 6:31

if Adonijah We have already seen, that the whole harem of an eastern monarch was a part of the regal succession (See note on 2Sa 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.

spoken Ps 64:8 140:9 Pr 18:6,7 Ec 10:12 Lu 19:22

24 Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.

as the Lord 1Ki 1:29

set me 1Ki 3:6,7 10:9 1Ch 29:23 2Ch 1:8,9

made me Ex 1:21 1Sa 25:28 2Sa 7:11-13,27 1Ch 17:10,17,23 Ps 127:1

as he promised 1Ch 22:10

put 1Ki 1:52 Ec 8:11-13

25 And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

he fell 1Ki 2:31,34,46 Jud 8:20,21 1Sa 15:33 2Sa 1:15 4:12

26 And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the LORD God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

Abiathar 1Ki 2:35 1:7,25

Anathoth Jos 21:18 Isa 10:30 Jer 1:1

worthy of death [heb] a man of death 1Sa 26:16 2Sa 12:5

barest 1Sa 22:20-23 23:6-9 2Sa 15:24,29 1Ch 15:11,12

hast been 2Sa 15:24-29 Mt 10:42 Lu 22:28 Ga 3:4

27 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

So Solomon This was for having taken part with Adonijah; but by it a remarkable prophecy was fulfilled. God had told Eli, (1Sa 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.

that he 1Sa 2:3-36 3:12-14 Mt 26:56 Joh 12:38 19:24,28,36,37

Shiloh Jos 18:1 Ps 78:60 Jer 7:12-14

28 Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

Joab had 1Ki 1:7 De 32:35 2Sa 18:2,14,15

caught 1Ki 1:50 Ex 27:2

29 And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

he is Ex 21:14 Eze 9:6 1Pe 4:17

Go 1Ki 2:25,31,46

30 And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.

no ref

31 And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.

Do Ex 21:14

that thou Ge 9:5,6 Nu 35:33 De 19:12,13 21:8,9 2Ki 9:26 Pr 28:17 Ac 28:4

which 1Ki 2:5

and from 2Sa 3:28

32 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

return 1Ki 2:44 Ge 4:11 Jud 9:24,57 Ps 7:16

two men 2Sa 3:27 20:10

more righteous 1Sa 15:28 2Sa 4:11 2Ch 21:13 Es 1:19

my father 2Sa 3:26,37

Abner 2Sa 3:27

Amasa 2Sa 20:10

Jether 1Ki 2:5 2Sa 17:25

Ithra

33 Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the LORD.

return upon 1Ki 2:32 2Sa 3:29 2Ki 5:27 Ps 101:8 109:6-15 Mt 27:25

upon David 2Sa 3:28 Pr 25:5

his house Ps 89:29,36,37 132:12 Isa 9:6,7 11:1-9 Lu 1:31-33 2:14

34 So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

Benaiah 1Ki 2:25,31,46

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, would be dragged thence and put to death.

buried 2Ki 21:18 2Ch 33:20

in the Jos 15:61 Mt 3:1

35 And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.

in his room Job 34:24

Zadok 1Ki 2:27 Nu 25:11-13 1Sa 2:35 1Ch 6:4-15,50-53 24:3 Ps 109:8 Ac 1:20

36 And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.

Shimei 2Ki 2:8,9 2Sa 16:5-9 Pr 20:8,26

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. 1Ki 1:53 2Sa 14:24,28

37 For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.

over the 1Ki 15:13 2Sa 15:23 2Ki 23:6 2Ch 29:16 Jer 31:40 Joh 18:1

Cedron
thy blood 1Ki 2:31,33 Le 20:9 Jos 2:19 2Sa 1:16 Eze 18:13

38 And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

The saying 1Ki 20:4 2Ki 20:19

39 And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.

A.M. 2993 B.C. 1011 An. Ex. Is. 480
Achish 1Sa 21:10 27:2,3

40 And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

arose Pr 15:27 Lu 12:15 1Ti 6:10

41 And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.

42 And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.

Did I not 1Ki 2:36-38 Ps 15:4 Lu 19:22

and thou saidst Lu 15:22

43 Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?

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

commandment 2Ch 30:12 Ec 8:2 Ro 13:5

44 The king said moreover to Shimei, 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;

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

return 1Ki 2:32,33 Ps 7:16 Pr 5:22 Eze 17:19 Ho 4:9

45 And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.

blessed Ps 21:6 72:17

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

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

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