Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Kings
Book: 1 Kings
Chapter: 2
Overview:
David's dying charge to
Solomon.
(1-4) David's charge as to
Joab and others.
(5-11) Solomon reigns,
Adonijah aspiring to the
Throne is
Put to
Death.
(12-25) Abiathar banished,
Joab Put to
Death.
(26-34) Shimei is
Put to
Death.
(35-46)
1-4 David's charge to
Solomon is, to keep the charge of the
Lord. The authority of a dying
Father is much, but nothing to
that of a living
God.
God promised
David that the
Messiah should
come from his descendants, and that promise was absolute; but
the promise, that there should not fail of them a
Man On the
Throne of
Israel, was conditional; if he walks before
God in
sincerity, with zeal and resolution: in order hereunto, he must
take heed to his way.
5-11 These dying counsels concerning
Joab and
Shimei, did not
come from personal
Anger, but for the security of
Solomon's
Throne, which was the cause of
God and
Israel. It is evident
Joab did not repent of the murders he had committed, but would
readily repeat them to carry any purpose; though long reprieved,
he shall be reckoned with at last. Time does not wear out the
guilt of any
Sin, particularly of
Murder. Concerning
Shimei,
Hold him not guiltless; do not think him any true friend to
thee, or thy government, or fit to be trusted; he has
No less
malice now than he had then.
David's dying sentiments are
recorded, as delivered under the influence of the
Holy Ghost,
2Sa 23:1-7. The
Lord discovered to him the offices and the
Salvation of that glorious personage, the
Messiah, whose coming
he then foretold, and from whom he derived all his comforts and
expectations. That
Passage gives a decided proof that
David died
under the influence of the
Holy Ghost, in the
Exercise of
Faith
and
Hope.
12-25 Solomon received Bathsheba with all the respect that was
owing to a mother; but let none be asked for that which they
ought not to grant. It ill becomes a good
Man to prefer a bad
request, or to appear in a bad cause. According to eastern
customs it was
Plain that
Adonijah sought to be
King,
By his
asking for
Abishag as his
Wife, and
Solomon could not be safe
while he lived. Ambitious, turbulent spirits commonly prepare
Death for themselves. Many a head has been lost
By catching at a
Crown.
26-34 Solomon's words to
Abiathar, and his silence, imply that
some recent conspiracies had been entered into. Those that show
kindness to
God's people shall have it remembered to their
advantage. For this reason
Solomon spares
Abiathar's
Life, but
dismisses him from his offices. In case of such sins as the
Blood of beasts would atone for, the
Altar was a
Refuge, but not
in
Joab's case.
Solomon looks upward to
God as the Author of
peace, and forward to eternity as the
Perfection of it. The
Lord
of peace himself gives us that peace which is
Everlasting.
35-46 The old malignity remains in the unconverted
Heart, and a
watchful
Eye should be kept
On those who, like
Shimei, have
manifested their
Enmity, but have given
No evidence of
Repentance.
No engagements or dangers will restrain worldly men;
they go
On, though they forfeit their lives and souls. Let us
remember,
God will not accommodate his
Judgment to us. His
Eye
is over us; and let us strive to walk as in his presence. Let
our every act,
Word, and thought, be governed
By this great
Truth, that the
Hour is quickly coming when the smallest
circumstances of our lives shall be brought to
Light, and our
eternal state be fixed
By a righteous and unerring
God. Thus
Solomon's
Throne was established in peace, as the
Type of the
Redeemer's kingdom of peace and
Righteousness. And it is a
comfort, in reference to the
Enmity of the
Church's enemies,
that, how much soever they rage, it is a vain thing they
imagine.
Christ's
Throne is established, and they cannot shake
it.