48 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KING 2 This chapter gives an account of the charge David gave to his son Solomon, a little before his death, to walk in the ways of the Lord, 1 Kings 2:1; and of some instructions delivered to him concerning some particular persons he should either show favour to, or execute justice on, 1 Kings 2:5; and the next account in it...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die,.... The number of his days fixed and determined by the Lord, Job 14:5; and which might be perceived as drawing nigh, both by himself and others, through the growing infirmities of old age, decline of nature, and various symptoms of an approaching dissolution which were upon him; see Genesis...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
In this chapter we have David setting and Solomon at the same time rising. I. The conclusion of David's reign with his life. 1. The charge he gives to Solomon upon his death-bed, in general, to serve God (ver. 1-4), in particular, concerning Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei, ver. 5-9. 2. His death and burial, and the years of his reign, ver. 10, 11....
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
I go the way of all the earth,.... A path which is the path of death (o), which all pass in, kings and peasants, high and low, rich and poor, great and small, good and bad; none are exempted, all must die, and do; it is the appointment of God, a decree which can never be reversed; all experience confirms it: this same phrase is used by Joshua,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And keep the charge of the Lord thy God,.... Which may in general respect his whole walk and conversation, and his obedience to the law and will of God; and in particular his just government of Israel committed to his charge: to walk in his ways; directed to in his word: to keep his statutes and his judgments; his laws, ceremonial, moral, and...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me,.... his word of promise concerning the kingdom of David, and the succession of it, and confirm and establish it: saying, if thy children take heed to their way; they are directed to walk in, even the way of the Lord, and not turn to the right hand or the left: to walk before me in...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did unto me,.... In slaying Absalom, contrary to his orders, and in behaving insolently towards him on account of his mourning for him, and at other times; but as these things might not be personally known to Solomon, only by hearsay, this may respect his disloyalty towards him, in joining...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Do therefore according to thy wisdom,.... Which though young began to appear in him, even in the life of his father; he therefore exhorts him to use the wisdom he had, and take the first and fittest opportunity to cut him off for his former murders and late treason, as a dangerous man to his government and the peace of it: and let not his hoary...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite,.... Who perhaps was now dead, and therefore he would have kindness shown to his posterity for his sake: and let them be of those that eat of thy table; as Mephibosheth had at his, who also perhaps was dead, since no notice is taken of him; and as David would have had Barzillai, but he...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And behold [thou hast] with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim,.... Of whom, and of his native place, [See comments on 2 Samuel 16:5]; he was now at Jerusalem, and so with Solomon, or near at hand; and was on his side, and of his party; see 1 Kings 1:8; but not to be trusted, or looked upon as a real friend: which cursed me with a...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Now therefore hold him not guiltless,.... Do not look upon him as an innocent person; and if he commits an offence against thee, as he has against me, do not acquit him as I have done: for thou [art] a wise man; so it seems he was before the appearance of the Lord to him at Gibeon, even before his father's death he had given some proofs of it to...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
So David slept with his fathers,.... Died as his ancestors before him did; for, buried with them he was not; and therefore cannot be understood of his lying with them in the grave, but in the state of the dead; he died according as the Jews say (q) on the day of Pentecost, and according to Bishop Usher (r) A. M. 2990, and before Christ 1014; and...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And the days that David reigned over Israel [were] forty years,.... So says Eupolemus (s), an Heathen writer, which are thus reckoned: seven years reigned he in Hebron; the six months over are omitted, 2 Samuel 5:5; this part of his reign was over Judah only: and thirty three years reigned he in Jerusalem; over the twelve tribes, in all forty,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then sat Solomon on the throne of David his father,.... So he did in his lifetime, with his consent, and by his order, and now by the agreement of the whole people: and his kingdom was established greatly; all submitting to it, and none opposing it.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon,.... Into her apartment; Abarbinel thinks it was a few days after the death of David: and she said, comest thou peaceably? in a friendly manner, with no ill design, only to pay a friendly visit; for she might fear he came to avenge himself on her, and destroy her, because she...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
He said, moreover, I have something to say unto thee,.... Signifying that he came upon business: and she said, say on; intimating her readiness to hear what it was.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he said, thou knowest that the kingdom was mine,.... Belonged to him by virtue of his birthright; he was heir to it, being the eldest son: and [that] all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign; which was not true; for, as Bathsheba says, the body of the people were in suspense, their eyes being on David, waiting to hear whom he...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And now I ask one petition of thee,.... And but one, and a small one too, as Bathsheba herself after calls it: deny me not, or "turn not away my face" (t); with shame and sorrow, which would be the case should he be denied: and she said unto him, say on; let me hear it. (t) תשיבי את פני "ne avertere facias faciem meam", Pagninus.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he said, speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king,.... He owns him to be king, and which he the rather did to engage her to take his suit in hand, and to cover his design: for he will not say thee nay; or turn away thy face, or deny thy request; she being his mother, for whom he had a great affection, and to whom he was under obligation on...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Bathsheba said, well,.... Very well spoken, the thing is good and right: I will speak for thee unto the king; and use her interest with him, not seeing into his design, but pitying an unfortunate man.