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1 Kings Chapter
Two
New King James Version (NKJV)
INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 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 is concerning his death and burial
and the years of his
reign
1 Kings 2:10; after
which it relates an address of Bathsheba to Solomon in favour of Adonijah
which was refused
and the issue of it was his death
1 Kings 2:12; and
the deposition of Abiathar from the priesthood
1 Kings 2:26; and
the putting of Joab to death for his treason and murders
1 Kings 2:28; in
whose post Benaiah was put
as Zadok was in the place of Abiathar
1 Kings 2:35; and
lastly the confinement of Shimei in Jerusalem
who had cursed David
1 Kings 2:36; who
upon transgressing the orders given him was put to death
1 Kings 2:39.
1 Kings 2:1 Now
the days of David drew near that he should die
and he charged Solomon his son
saying:
YLT
1And draw near do the days
of David to die
and he chargeth Solomon his son
saying
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 47:29.
Abarbinel observes
that he is called only David
not King David; because
Solomon his son was now anointed king
and reigned in his stead; so in 1 Kings 1:10; but
there is another reason given by some JewsF14Bereshit Rabba
sect.
96. fol. 83. 3.
that no man
even a king
has power in the day of death; he
is no king then
he has no rule over that
but that rules over him:
and he charged Solomon his son; gave him his last and
dying charge:
saying; as follows.
1 Kings 2:2 2 “I go the way of all the
earth; be strong
therefore
and prove yourself a man.
YLT
2`I am going in the way of
all the earth
and thou hast been strong
and become a man
I go the way of all the earth
.... A path which is the
path of deathF15"------ omnes una manet nox
Et calcanda semel
via lethi". Horat. Carmin. l. 1. ode 28. ver. 15
16.
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
from whom David seems to have borrowed it
and shows that that
book was written in his days
Joshua 23:14;
be thou strong therefore; not discouraged at my
death
being a common thing
and to be expected; nor at being left alone
the
Lord can give thee wisdom and counsel
assistance and strength
protection
and
defence; take heart therefore
and be of good courage:
and show thyself a man; in wisdom and
understanding
and in fortitude of mind
though so young a man; which were
necessary for the government of so great a people
and to guard against the
secret intrigues of some
and the open flatteries of others
and the fear of
attempts against his person and government
and the temptations he might be
liable to
to do wrong things; and especially they were necessary to enable him
to keep the commands of God
as follows; which required great strength of mind
and of grace
considering the corruptions of nature
the temptations of Satan
and the snares of men; see Joshua 1:7.
1 Kings 2:3 3 And keep the charge of the
Lord your God: to
walk in His ways
to keep His statutes
His commandments
His judgments
and
His testimonies
as it is written in the Law of Moses
that you may prosper in
all that you do and wherever you turn;
YLT
3and kept the charge of
Jehovah thy God
to walk in His ways
to keep His statutes
His commands
and
His judgments
and His testimonies
as it is written in the law of Moses
so
that thou dost wisely all that thou dost
and whithersoever thou turnest
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 judicial:
and his testimonies; as the above laws
which
testify of his mind
and declare what he would have done and observed:
as it is written in the law of Moses; which a king
of Israel was obliged to write a copy of
keep by him
and read it
and rule
according to it
Deuteronomy 17:18
that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest
and whithersoever
thou turnest thyself; to reign in righteousness
and according to the law of God
is
the only way to have a prosperous and happy reign: or "that thou mayest
act wisely"F16למען תשכיל "ut prudenter agas"
Montanus
Tigurine
version; "ut intelligas universa"
V. L. ; the law of God furnishing
out the best rules of government and maxims of policy; see Deuteronomy 4:6.
1 Kings 2:4 4 that the Lord may fulfill
His word which He spoke concerning me
saying
‘If your sons take heed to their
way
to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul
’
He said
‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
YLT
4so that Jehovah doth
establish His word which He spake unto me
saying
If thy sons observe their
way to walk before Me in truth
with all their heart
and with all their soul;
saying
There is not cut off a man of thine from the throne of Israel.
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 truth: in the sincerity and
integrity of their hearts
according to the word of truth
and under the
influence of the spirit of truth:
with all their heart
and with all their soul; in the most
cordial manner
with the strongest affection and zeal; with all eagerness and
earnestness; with their whole hearts engaged in every duty performed by them:
then the Lord said
there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel; one to
succeed him in the throne; this
with respect to his throne
literally
considered
was conditional; but
spiritually considered
was absolute
and had
its fulfilment in the Messiah
whose throne is for ever; see Luke 1:32.
1 Kings 2:5 5 “Moreover you know also
what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me
and what he did to the two
commanders of the armies of Israel
to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son
of Jether
whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime
and put
the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist
and on his
sandals that were on his feet.
YLT
5`And also
thou hast known
that which he did to me -- Joab son of Zeruiah -- that which he did to two
heads of the hosts of Israel
to Abner son of Ner
and to Amasa son of Jether
-- that he slayeth them
and maketh the blood of war in peace
and putteth the
blood of war in his girdle
that [is] on his loins
and in his sandals that
[are] on his feet;
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 with Adonijah
who set
himself up for king in his lifetime
and without his knowledge and consent; or
it may respect the instances next mentioned
in which he did injury to the
interest
honour
and character of David:
and
or "even"
what he did to the two captains of the host of Israel
unto Abner
the son of Ner
and unto Amasa the son of Jether
whom he slew; to Abner who
was under Ishbosheth
and Amasa under David
who had not only the promise of the
post
but was actually in it when Joab slew him; and indeed out of envy to him
for it:
and shed the blood of war in peace; when they were at peace
with him
as if they had been in open war; and even under a pretence of
friendship to them
asking of their peace and welfare
as if he meant nothing
less than to behave peaceably towards them; hence the Targum is
"whom
he slew in craftiness:'
and put the blood of war upon the girdle that was about his
loins
and in his shoes that were in his feet; which particularly
respects the affair of Amasa
whose blood he shed with his sword
that dropped
out of its scabbard
girded upon his loins
and into which he put it again
all
over bloody
and wore it girded upon his loins; and which he also stooped for
when it fell
as if he was going to unloose or buckle his shoes
and into which
the blood ran down when he stabbed him; and after this barbarous action marched
on without any shame or remorse
with his bloody sword on his loins
and the
blood of the murdered in his shoes.
1 Kings 2:6 6 Therefore do according to
your wisdom
and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.
YLT
6and thou hast done
according to thy wisdom
and dost not let his old age go down in peace to
Sheol.
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 head go down to the grave in peace; that is
let
him not die a natural
but a violent death; and let not his grey hairs be any
argument for sparing him
or any reason for delaying the taking of him off
because he would in course die quickly; for he must be now an old man
as old
as David
or perhaps older; since he had been his general forty years
even all
the time of his reign; see 2 Samuel 2:13.
1 Kings 2:7 7 “But show kindness to the
sons of Barzillai the Gileadite
and let them be among those who eat at your
table
for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
YLT
7`And to the sons of
Barzillai the Gileadite thou dost do kindness
and they have been among those
eating at thy table
for so they drew near unto me in my fleeing from the face
of Absalom thy brother.
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 desired to be excused on
account of his age:
for so they came to me
when I fled because of thy brother
Absalom; that is
they came to him
not only Barzillai
but his sons it
seems; and fed him or furnished him with provisions
when he was obliged to fly
to the other side Jordan
because of the rebellion of his son Absalom.
1 Kings 2:8 8 “And see
you have
with you Shimei the son of Gera
a Benjamite from Bahurim
who cursed me with a
malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me
at the Jordan
and I swore to him by the Lord
saying
‘I will not put
you to death with the sword.’
YLT
8`And lo
with thee [is]
Shimei son of Gera
the Benjamite of Bahurim
and he reviled me -- a grievous
reviling -- in the day of my going to Mahanaim; and he hath come down to meet
me at the Jordan
and I swear to him by Jehovah
saying
I do not put thee to
death by the sword;
And behold thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera
a
Benjamite of Bahurim
.... Of whom
and of his native place; see Gill 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 grievous curse
when I went to Mahanaim; a place on the
other side Jordan
of which place
and the curses this man cursed David
with
see 2 Samuel 16:7;
but he came down to me at Jordan; after the defeat of Absalom
and when David was returning
and humbled himself to him
and begged his
pardon:
and I sware unto him by the Lord
saying
I will not put thee to
death with the sword; but this oath was not binding upon his successor
and especially
should he commit a new crime.
1 Kings 2:9 9 Now therefore
do not hold
him guiltless
for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to
him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.”
YLT
9and now
acquit him not
for a wise man thou [art]
and thou hast known that which thou dost to him
and
hast brought down his old age with blood to Sheol.'
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 David himself:
and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; to watch and
observe him
and
if found offending
to punish him according to the rules of
justice
and the laws of the land:
but his hoary head bring thou down to the grave with blood; spare him not
on account of his age
but put him to death whensoever he shall be found
guilty
let him not die a natural death.
1 Kings 2:10 10 So David rested with his
fathers
and was buried in the City of David.
YLT
10And David lieth down with
his fathers
and is buried in the city of David
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 sayF17T. Hieros. Chagigah
fol. 78. 1. on the day of Pentecost
and according to Bishop UsherF18Anuals
&c. p. 56. A. M. 2990
and before Christ 1014;
and was buried in the city of David; not at Bethlehem
in the
sepulchre of Jesse
who was a private man; but being a king
in his own city
the hold of Zion he took from the Jebusite
and which afterwards was called by
his name
2 Samuel 5:7; and
his sepulchre remained unto the times of the apostles
upwards of a thousand
years; see Gill on Acts 2:29.
1 Kings 2:11 11 The period that David
reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron
and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.
YLT
11and the days that David
hath reigned over Israel [are] forty years
in Hebron he hath reigned seven
years
and in Jerusalem he hath reigned thirty and three years.
And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty
years
.... So says EupolemusF19Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel.
l. 9. c. 30.
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
which round number is only given; though in fact
he reigned six months more.
1 Kings 2:12 12 Then Solomon sat on the
throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.
YLT
12And Solomon hath sat on the
throne of David his father
and his kingdom is established greatly
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.
1 Kings 2:13 13 Now Adonijah the son of
Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said
“Do you come
peaceably?” And he said
“Peaceably.”
YLT
13and Adonijah son of Haggith
cometh in unto Bath-Sheba
mother of Solomon
and she saith
`Is thy coming
peace?' and he saith
`Peace.'
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 had been the instrument of
disappointing him of the kingdom
and of getting her son Solomon set upon the
throne
and established in it; and therefore could not tell what envy
rage
and disappointment
might prompt him to:
and he said
peaceably; he meant no harm unto
her.
1 Kings 2:14 14 Moreover he said
“I have
something to say to you.” And she said
“Say it.”
YLT
14And he saith
`I have a
word unto thee
' and she saith
`Speak.'
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.
1 Kings 2:15 15 Then he said
“You know
that the kingdom was mine
and all Israel had set their expectations on me
that I should reign. However
the kingdom has been turned over
and has become
my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord.
YLT
15And he saith
`Thou hast
known that the kingdom was mine
and towards me set their faces had all Israel
for reigning
and the kingdom is turned round about
and is my brother's
for
from Jehovah it was his;
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
would declare his successor; and when Solomon was declared and anointed
vast
numbers attended him; unless Adonijah thought that the high priest
and general
of the army
with the captains
represented the whole people; however this he
observes by way of preface
to show how unhappy he was
being disappointed
and
to move the compassion of Bathsheba
that she might be the more easily
prevailed upon to seek to obtain so small a favour as he was about to ask:
howbeit the kingdom is turned about
and is become my brother's; things had
taken another turn
and what was his
and he thought himself sure of the other
day
was now become his brother's; such were the uncertainty and vicissitude of
human affairs:
for it was his from the Lord; by the appointment of
the Lord
by a promise of his
and a prophecy concerning it; which if he knew
of
it was both vain and sinful in him to act contrary thereunto; or it was
brought about by the overruling providence of God
which he now plainly saw and
submitted to; this he said to show that he had laid aside all hopes of the
kingdom
and was fully satisfied of the disposition of it in Providence
and so
to hide his real design in the petition he was about to make.
1 Kings 2:16 16 Now I ask one petition of
you; do not deny me.” And she said to him
“Say it.”
YLT
16and now
one petition I am
asking of thee -- turn not back my face;' and she saith unto him
`Speak.'
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"F20תשיבי את פני
"ne avertere facias faciem meam"
Pagninus. ; with shame and sorrow
which would be the case should he be denied:
and she said unto him
say on; let me hear it.
1 Kings 2:17 17 Then he said
“Please
speak to King Solomon
for he will not refuse you
that he may give me Abishag
the Shunammite as wife.”
YLT
17And he saith
`Speak
I
pray thee
to Solomon the king
for he doth not turn back thy face
and he doth
give to me Abishag the Shunammite for a wife.'
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 all accounts:
that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife; which was
contrary to the law of God
Leviticus 18:8;
which surely Adonijah must have been ignorant of
and Bathsheba likewise; or
the one would never have made such a request
nor the other have undertaken to
try to obtain it; but perhaps they did not take her to be David's wife
or the
marriage to be consummated
because he knew her not: but yet not being returned
to her father's house
and being at the dispose of Solomon
prove that she must
be a concubine wife
and which became the property of the next heir and
successor; see 2 Samuel 12:8; nor
did Adonijah apply to her or her friends; which
if he was really in love with
her
he would have done
if at her own or their disposal; but this he knew
that she was solely at the disposal of Solomon
to whom he did not care to
apply himself
but makes use of his mother.
1 Kings 2:18 18 So Bathsheba said
“Very
well
I will speak for you to the king.”
YLT
18And Bath-Sheba saith
`Good; I do speak for thee unto the king.'
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.
1 Kings 2:19 19 Bathsheba therefore went
to King Solomon
to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her
and bowed down to her
and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the
king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand.
YLT
19And Bath-Sheba cometh in
unto king Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah
and the king riseth to meet
her
and boweth himself to her
and sitteth on his throne
and placeth a throne
for the mother of the king
and she sitteth at his right hand.
Bathsheba therefore went unto King Solomon
to speak unto him for
Adonijah
.... She went from her own house to the palace; for she might not
live at court; or however had an apartment to herself
from whence she went to
the king with her suit in favour of Adonijah:
and the king rose up to meet her
and bowed himself unto her; upon her
entrance into the presence chamber
in honour to her as a parent
he rose up
from his throne
and made his obeisance to her
as a dutiful son:
and sat down on his throne
and caused a seat to be set for the
king's mother; a magnificent seat or throne
as the word is
was ordered to be
set for her:
and she sat on his right hand; where he placed her in
honour to her as his mother; so NeroF1Suetonius in Vit. Neron. c.
13. placed Tiridates king of Armenia at his right hand
to do him honour.
1 Kings 2:20 20 Then she said
“I desire
one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her
“Ask
it
my mother
for I will not refuse you.”
YLT
20And she saith
`One small
petition I ask of thee
turn not back my face;' and the king saith to her
`Ask
my mother
for I do not turn back thy face.'
Then she said
I desire one small petition of thee
.... It was
but one
and a little one
and therefore she hoped it would be granted:
I pray thee
say me not
nay; do not refuse it
or deny it me
or turn away my thee with shame
and disappointment:
and the king said
ask on
my mother
for I will not say thee nay; since it is a
small one
as thou sayest
and provided it is fit and lawful to be granted.
1 Kings 2:21 21 So she said
“Let Abishag
the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.”
YLT
21And she saith
`Let Abishag
the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother for a wife.'
And she said
let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy
brother to wife. For so Adonijah was by his father's side; and Bathsheba makes use
of the relation
the more to move upon him to grant the request.
1 Kings 2:22 22 And King Solomon answered
and said to his mother
“Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for
Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for
him
and for Abiathar the priest
and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”
YLT
22And king Solomon answereth
and saith to his mother
`And why art thou asking Abishag the Shunammite for
Adonijah? also ask for him the kingdom -- for he [is] mine elder brother --
even for him
and for Abiathar the priest
and for Joab son of Zeruiah.'
And King Solomon answered and said unto his mother
.... With as
much gentleness and mildness as he could
but inwardly fired at her request
and amazed at it
and could not forbear using some degree of tartness and
resentment:
and why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? is this a
small petition? is this a fit and lawful one?
ask for him the kingdom also; for this is what he
means by it
that by marrying the king's widow he may step into the throne
whenever any opportunity offers
as any uneasiness
or insurrection in the
kingdom
or the death of Solomon; for none but a king
the Jews sayF2Misn.
Sanhedrin
c. 2. sect. 2.
might marry a king's widow
not any private man;
and therefore for Adonijah to ask this was interpreted affecting the kingdom
and aspiring to it
and taking his measures to obtain it; yea
it is saidF3Maimon.
Hilchot Sanhedrin
c. 2. sect. 1.
that none but another king
the successor
might make use of his servants
handmaids
and ministers; and it is observed
that Abishag was free to Solomon
but not to Adonijah:
for he is mine elder brother; and has that to plead in
his favour
and if he could obtain this
it would strengthen his title
or at
least be a plausible pretence
which he might make use of
when opportunity
served
to gain the people to his interest:
even for him
and for Abiathar the priest
and for Joab the son of
Zeruiah; she might as well ask for them as for him; whose interest it
was
and therefore desirous it might be that he should be king
that so the one
might be continued in the office of high priest
and the other as general of
the army; who
Solomon knew
bore him no good will
but were secretly his
enemies; and he suspected that this was a scheme of theirs
and that it was by
their advice Adonijah made this request; so the Targum
"are
not he
and Abiathar the priest
and Joab the son of Zeruiah
in the counsel?'
in
this counsel; it is what they had consulted among themselves as a preparation
to bring about a design they are contriving; probably Solomon had private
notice that they were plotting against him
and this confirmed him in the truth
of it; and therefore all of them were upon this punished with deprivation of
office
or loss of life.
1 Kings 2:23 23 Then King Solomon swore by
the Lord
saying
“May God do so to me
and more also
if Adonijah has not spoken this
word against his own life!
YLT
23And king Solomon sweareth
by Jehovah
saying
`Thus doth God to me
and thus He doth add -- surely
against his soul hath Adonijah spoken this word;
Then King Solomon sware by the Lord
.... To prevent his mother
pressing him to have her petition granted:
saying
God do so to me
and more also; lay such and
such evils upon me
and more than I care to express:
if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life; to his own
prejudice
and even to the loss of his life; in which Solomon suggests it would
issue
being a fresh overt act of treason; he knew
from what Bathsheba said
that this was his petition
and that he had spoken of this to her
and put her
upon making it for him; and who no doubt related to Solomon the whole of the
conversation that passed between them
and to which he seems to have some
respect in his answer.
1 Kings 2:24 24 Now therefore
as
the Lord
lives
who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father
and
who has established a house[a] for me
as
He promised
Adonijah shall be put to death today!”
YLT
24and now
Jehovah liveth
who hath established me
and causeth me to sit on the throne of David my
father
and who hath made for me an house as He spake -- surely to-day is
Adonijah put to death.'
Now therefore
as the Lord liveth
.... Which is another
oath; and one may easily perceive hereby in what a temper and disposition
Solomon was
how warm
earnest
and vehement
how resolute against the
petition
and how determined he was to punish Adonijah and his confederates:
which hath established me
and set me upon the throne of David my
father
and who hath made me an house
as he promised; who had
placed him on his father's throne
and established him there
in spite of all
his enemies
and had given him a firm and stable kingdom
which was not to be
shaken and subverted by the power and policy of conspirators
according to the
promise of God by Nathan
2 Samuel 7:11;
Adonijah shall be put to death this day; both for his
former conspiracy
he only having had a reprieve
and which was to continue on
his good behaviour
1 Kings 1:51
and
for his fresh attempt in forming treasonable schemes to ascend the throne if
possible; wherefore
being a dangerous man
and no longer to be trusted
Solomon was determined to dispatch him at once
and being established in his
kingdom
he had nothing to fear from those in the conspiracy with him.
1 Kings 2:25 25 So King Solomon sent by
the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down
and he died.
YLT
25And king Solomon sendeth by
the hand of Benaiah son of Jehoiada
and he falleth upon him
and he dieth.
And King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
.... Orders to
execute him
and proper persons to do it; perhaps some of the Cherethites and
Pelethites under him
to assist at least in it:
and he fell upon him
that he died; Benaiah rushed in upon
him with his men
and thrust his sword into him
and killed him; executions
used to be done in those times and countries by great personages
as the
instances of Gideon
Doeg
and others
show
and not by common executioners.
1 Kings 2:26 26 And to Abiathar the priest
the king said
“Go to Anathoth
to your own fields
for you are
deserving of death; but I will not put you to death at this time
because you
carried the ark of the Lord God before my father David
and because you were
afflicted every time my father was afflicted.”
YLT
26And to Abiathar the priest
said the king
`To Anathoth go
unto thy fields; for a man of death thou [art]
but in this day I do not put thee to death
because thou hast borne the ark of
the Lord Jehovah before David my father
and because thou wast afflicted in all
that my father was afflicted in.'
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king
.... Who was
either at court
or he sent for him
and thus addressed him:
get thee to Anathoth; a city of the tribe of
Benjamin
given to the priests
Joshua 21:18; of
which place Abiathar might be originally
and whither he is bid to return:
unto thine own fields; which belonged to him
there
either by inheritance or purchase; and these he was to mind
and not
perform the functions of his office
however as high priest
and at Jerusalem
and the tabernacle there
and still less appear at court
or meddle with state
affairs
only to attend to his private domestic concerns:
for thou art worthy of death; in joining with Adonijah
in the lifetime of David
and setting him up as a king without his knowledge
and in opposition to Solomon
contrary to the will of God
and promise of
David
of which he
being high priest
cannot be thought to be ignorant
and
for his late confederacy with Adonijah
of which Solomon had knowledge:
but I will not at this time put thee to death; he does not
give him a full pardon
only a respite; suggesting
that should he be guilty of
any overt act
he would be put to death another time
though not now:
because thou barest the ark of the Lord God before David my father; when he fled
from Absalom
2 Samuel 15:24;
and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was
afflicted; shared with him in all his afflictions under the persecutions of
Saul
from the time he slew the priests at Nob
and at the rebellion of
Absalom; in each of which he accompanied him
and suffered and sympathized with
him.
1 Kings 2:27 27 So Solomon removed
Abiathar from being priest to the Lord
that he might fulfill
the word of the Lord
which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh.
YLT
27And Solomon casteth out
Abiathar from being priest to Jehovah
to fulfil the word of Jehovah which He
spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord
.... He
deposed him from his office of high priest
otherwise I suppose he might
officiate as a common priest
at least in some of the branches of it; this was
done by his own authority as a king
and not as a prophet
as Bellarmine vainly
distinguishes; and not by the authority of the college of the
priests
at the
instance of Solomon
as Fortunatus Schacchus saysF4Elaeochrism.
Myrothec. l. 3. c. 50. col. 1069. for which there is no foundation:
that he might fulfil the word of the Lord; which he
might do intentionally
having knowledge of it
or however eventually:
which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh; of which
house Abiathar was
and which
according to that prophecy
was to be
demolished
and the priesthood translated from it
which was in the line of
lthamar
to another house
in the line of Eleazar; the word of the Lord
referred to
is in 1 Samuel 2:31.
1 Kings 2:28 28 Then news came to Joab
for Joab had defected to Adonijah
though he had not defected to Absalom. So
Joab fled to the tabernacle of the Lord
and took hold of the
horns of the altar.
YLT
28And the report hath come
unto Joab -- for Joab hath turned aside after Adonijah
though after Absalom he
did not turn aside -- and Joab fleeth unto the tent of Jehovah
and layeth hold
on the horns of the altar.
Then tidings came to Joab
.... Of the death of
Adonijah
and the deposition of Abiathar:
for Joab had turned after Adonijah; publicly appeared at his
feast
when he was saluted king by him
and others
and privately gave him
advice in the affair of Abishag:
though he turned not after Absalom; did not join with him in
his rebellion
but faithfully adhered to David; and yet both in his lifetime
and after his death
acted the traitorous part in favour of Adonijah: Ben
Gersom gives these words a different sense
as if he was blameworthy in both
cases; that he turned after Adonijah to make him king
without consulting
David
and having his consent; and he did not turn after Absalom
to deliver him
from death
as David commanded him; but the former sense is best:
and Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord; which was at
Gibeon
see 2 Chronicles 1:3;
it was four miles from Jerusalem to the north
situated on an hillF5Bunting's
Travels
&c. p. 98. ; according to JosephusF6Antiqu. l. 7. c.
11. sect. 7.
it was forty furlongs
or five miles
from it; though Kimchi
thinks it was the altar in Jerusalem he fled to
which was before the ark
in
the tent David made for it; but that is never called the tabernacle of the
Lord
only that of Moses: Joab's fleeing hither showed guilt
and that he was
in the conspiracy of Adonijah
and was conscious he deserved to die
and now
expected it
since Adonijah was put to death; while he remained reprieved or
pardoned
he thought himself safe
but now in danger
and therefore fled for
it:
and caught hold of the horns of the altar; See Gill on 1 Kings 1:50.
1 Kings 2:29 29 And King Solomon was told
“Joab has fled to the tabernacle of the Lord; there he is
by
the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
saying
“Go
strike
him down.”
YLT
29And it is declared to king
Solomon that Joab hath fled unto the tent of Jehovah
and lo
near the altar;
and Solomon sendeth Benaiah son of Jehoiada
saying
`Go
fall upon him.'
And it was told King Solomon that Joab was fled unto the
tabernacle of the Lord
.... This account was brought him very probably by some of his
courtiers:
and
behold
he is by the altar; to which he
betook himself for refuge
laying hold on the horns of it:
then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
saying
go
fall
upon him; slay him; JosephusF7Antiqu. l. 8. c. 1. sect. 4.
says
the orders were to cut off his head; but perhaps it might be only to lay
hold on him
and take him thence
and bring him to Solomon to have judgment
passed upon him; for the Targum is
"exercise
your power over him
'
take
him into custody; and certain it is that the first orders were not to slay him
at least upon the spot where he was.
1 Kings 2:30 30 So Benaiah went to the
tabernacle of the Lord
and said to him
“Thus says the king
‘Come out!’” And he said
“No
but I will
die here.” And Benaiah brought back word to the king
saying
“Thus said Joab
and thus he answered me.”
YLT
30And Benaiah cometh in unto
the tent of Jehovah
and saith unto him
`Thus said the king
Come out;' and he
saith
`Nay
but here I die.' And Benaiah bringeth back the king word
saying
`Thus spake Joab
yea
thus he answered me.'
And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the Lord
.... At
Gibeon:
and said unto him; that is
to Joab:
thus saith the king
come forth; meaning
out of the
tabernacle; which plainly shows that his orders were not to slay him in it:
and he said
nay
but I will die here; since he must
die
he chose to die there; but what was his reason for it is not so clear; the
Jews
some of them
say
to save his goods
and that they might come to his
heirs
which would have been forfeited to the crown if he had been tried and
condemned in a court of judicature; others
that he might be buried with his
ancestors
whereas
had he been sentenced to death by the court
he would have
been buried in the common place of malefactors; but rather he thought
or at
least hoped
he should not die at all; either that
by gaining time
Solomon
might be prevailed upon to pardon him; or however that he would not defile that
sacred place with his blood; or
if he should die
he chose to die there
as
being a sacred place
and so might hope to receive some benefit from it
as to
his future state
where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin:
and Benaiah brought the king word again
saying
thus said Joab
and thus he answered me; told me he would not come out
and
if he must die
he would die
there.
1 Kings 2:31 31 Then the king said to him
“Do as he has said
and strike him down and bury him
that you may take away
from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood which Joab shed.
YLT
31And the king saith to him
`Do as he hath spoken
and fall upon him
and thou hast buried him
and turned
aside the causeless blood which Joab shed
from off me
and from off the house
of my father;
And the king said unto him
do as he hath said
and fall upon him
and bury him
.... Let him die where he is
slay him upon the spot
and then
bury him; not by the altar
but in his own sepulchre
as later related
that
in
give orders to bury him there; for Benaiah being a priest
could not be
concerned in the burial of him
and besides it was below the dignity of his
office:
(
1 Chronicles 27:2
where Gill advances resaons for Benaiah not being a priest. Editor.)
that thou mayest take away the innocent blood
which Joab shed
from me
and from the house of my father; which had been too long
connived at
and had called for vengeance; and now here was a proper
opportunity upon fresh sins committed to avenge it
and so remove the guilt
which lay upon him and his father's house
for not inflicting deserved
punishment on him for it.
1 Kings 2:32 32 So the Lord will return
his blood on his head
because he struck down two men more righteous and better
than he
and killed them with the sword—Abner the son of Ner
the commander of
the army of Israel
and Amasa the son of Jether
the commander of the army of
Judah—though my father David did not know it.
YLT
32and Jehovah hath turned
back his blood on his own head
who hath fallen on two men more righteous and
better than he
and slayeth them with the sword
-- and my father David knew
not -- Abner son of Ner
head of the host of Israel
and Amasa son of Jether
head of the host of Judah;
And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head
.... By way of
retaliation
blood for blood:
who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he; later named;
for though they had been in open rebellion against David
yet had submitted
and were reconciled and received into favour; and even their open crimes were
not so bad
Solomon judged
as his secret treacherous murders of innocent
persons in cool blood; they were men of more honour and integrity than he was
not so cruel and barbarous
though guilty in other respects:
and slew them with the sword
my father not knowing thereof; this is
observed to remove all suspicion
and which doubtless had been entertained by
some
that David had an hand in their death; and that Joab did what he did with
his knowledge and consent
and by his advice and order; they having been both
concerned in rebellion against him
the one under Ishbosheth
and the other
under Absalom:
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: the reason of the two hosts
of which they were captains or
generals
being thus distinguished
is
because the tribes of Israel were on
the side of Ishbosheth
whose general Abner was
in opposition to Judah
who
made David their king; and
on the other hand
they were the men of Judah that
were first and chiefly in the rebellion of Absalom
whose general Amasa was; of
the murder of these two men by Joab
see 2 Samuel 3:27.
1 Kings 2:33 33 Their blood shall
therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants
forever. But upon David and his descendants
upon his house and his throne
there shall be peace forever from the Lord.”
YLT
33yea
turned back hath their
blood on the head of Joab
and on the head of his seed to the age; and for
David
and for his seed
and for his house
and for his throne
there is peace
unto the age
from Jehovah.'
Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab
and upon
the head of his seed for ever
.... Not only upon Joab
but upon his
posterity as long as there would be any; signifying
that Joab's death would
not be a sufficient satisfaction
but the punishment of his murders would be
continued to his offspring: see 2 Samuel 3:29;
but upon David
and upon his seed
and upon his house
and upon
his throne
shall there be peace for ever from the Lord; such traitors
and murderers being removed
peace and happiness might be expected and believed
would attend the family and kingdom of David; whether this be considered as a
prayer
or a prophecy
it can and will have its full accomplishment only in the
kingdom of the Messiah the son of David
of the increase of whose government
and the peace thereof
there shall be no end
Isaiah 9:7.
1 Kings 2:34 34 So Benaiah the son of
Jehoiada went up and struck and killed him; and he was buried in his own house
in the wilderness.
YLT
34And Benaiah son of Jehoiada
goeth up and falleth upon him
and putteth him to death
and he is buried in
his own house in the wilderness
So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up
.... To
Gibeon
which was a great high place
1 Kings 3:4;
and fell upon him
and slew him; at the altar; or
dragging him from it at some distance
drew his sword and slew him:
and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness; not in his dwelling
house strictly taken
but in a garden or field adjoining to it
which house in
the wilderness; not a waste place uninhabited; for
as Kimchi observes
this
word sometimes signifies a place uninhabited
though not tilled
but left for
pasture of cattle; and in such a place might Joab's house be
at least his
country house
where he might have a farm
and fields
and cattle
as it is
plain he had
2 Samuel 14:30.
1 Kings 2:35 35 The king put Benaiah the
son of Jehoiada in his place over the army
and the king put Zadok the priest
in the place of Abiathar.
YLT
35and the king putteth
Benaiah son of Jehoiada in his stead over the host
and Zadok the priest hath
the king put in the stead of Abiathar.
And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the
host
.... Advanced him from being captain of his bodyguards to be
general of the army:
and Zadok the priest did he put in the room of Abiathar; from a common
priest he promoted him to the high priesthood; whereby that office was restored
to its ancient line
the family or Eleazar
having been in the line of Ithamar
for many years; and the prediction of the destruction of Eli's house
made eighty
years ago
began to be fulfilled
1 Samuel 2:31.
1 Kings 2:36 36 Then the king sent and
called for Shimei
and said to him
“Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and
dwell there
and do not go out from there anywhere.
YLT
36And the king sendeth and
calleth for Shimei
and saith to him
`Build for thee a house in Jerusalem
and
thou hast dwelt there
and dost not go out thence any where;
And the king sent and called for Shimei
.... Who had
cursed his father; he lived at Bahurim
in the tribe of Benjamin
and from
thence he sent for him to him
2 Samuel 16:5;
and said unto him
build thee an house in Jerusalem and dwell
there
and go not from thence any where; the orders were to
remove from Bahurim to Jerusalem
where he was to provide himself a dwelling
house
and there continue
and never go out of the city
at least not further
on any side of it than it was to the brook Kidron
which was not more than half
a mile from the city. This Solomon ordered
to prevent this man going about in
the country sowing and stirring up sedition; and that he might be under his eye
and notice
that should he commit any evil
and give him an opportunity of
punishing him
he might do it as his father had directed him; and he might
judge from the temper of the man
and indeed from the nature of men in general
that what they are forbidden they are the most prone unto
that he would
transgress in this case
and give him an occasion against him.
1 Kings 2:37 37 For it shall be
on the
day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron
know for certain you shall surely
die; your blood shall be on your own head.”
YLT
37and it hath been
in the
day of thy going out
and thou hast passed over the brook Kidron
thou dost
certainly know that thou dost surely die -- thy blood is on thy head.'
For it shall be
that on the day thou goest out
.... Out of
the city of Jerusalem: and passest over the brook Kidron: which is particularly
mentioned
because this lay in his way to Bahurim
his native place; he must
cross that to go to it
see 2 Samuel 15:23; and
where it might reasonably be supposed he would some time or another be inclined
to go
through business
or a desire to see it again:
thou shalt know for certain that thou shall surely die: it may be
depended on as what will be most certainly the case; no reprieve nor pardon
will be granted:
thy blood shall be on thine own head; fair warning
being given
he could blame none but himself
should he be guilty and suffer.
1 Kings 2:38 38 And Shimei said to the
king
“The saying is good. As my lord the king has said
so your servant
will do.” So Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
YLT
38And Shimei saith to the
king
`The word [is] good; as my lord the king hath spoken so doth thy servant
do;' and Shimei dwelleth in Jerusalem many days.
And Shimei said unto the king
the saying is good
.... It was an
act of goodness in the king
and what was good
grateful
and acceptable to
him; for being sent for by him
and knowing how he had used his father
and
hearing of several traitors being put to death
he expected this would have
been his case; and wherefore
instead of being put to death
was only obliged
to leave his habitation in the country
and come and live at Jerusalem
a
pleasant and delightful city
and the metropolis of the nation
it was very
agreeable to him:
as my lord the king hath said
so will thy servant do; and he not
only promised
but swore to it
which Solomon obliged him to
1 Kings 2:42;
and Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days; he
accordingly built or purchased a house in Jerusalem
and removed from Bahurim
to it
where he lived for the space of three years
as follows.
1 Kings 2:39 39 Now it happened at the end
of three years
that two slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of
Maachah
king of Gath. And they told Shimei
saying
“Look
your slaves are
in Gath!”
YLT
39And it cometh to pass
at
the end of three years
that flee do two of the servants of Shimei unto Achish
son of Maachah
king of Gath
and they declare to Shimei
saying
`Lo
thy
servants [are] in Gath;'
And it came to pass
at the end of three years
.... He had
dwelt at Jerusalem:
that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of
Maachah king of Gath; and they told Shimei
saying
behold
thy servant be
in Gath; he being a churlish
ill-natured man
always cursing or beating
them
or imposing too hard service upon them
or not allowing them the necessaries
of life; wherefore they broke away from him
and fled to Gath
and put
themselves under the protection of the king of that place
who was now at peace
with Israel
and a tributary to them: if this Achish was the same that was
David's friend
who sheltered him when persecuted by
Saul
he must be an old
man; for that was between forty or fifty years ago; and as he seems to be
since he is called the son of Maoch
1 Samuel 27:2;
which may be thought to be the same with Maachah here.
1 Kings 2:40 40 So Shimei arose
saddled
his donkey
and went to Achish at Gath to seek his slaves. And Shimei went and
brought his slaves from Gath.
YLT
40and Shimei riseth
and
saddleth his ass
and goeth to Gath
unto Achish
to seek his servants
and
Shimei goeth and bringeth his servants from Gath.
And Shimei arose
and saddled his ass
and went to Gath to Achish
to seek his servants
.... And demand them; through the passion he was in with his
servants
and his hurry to get them home
and the covetous disposition which
prevailed on him
he might forget
or be tempted to neglect
the prohibition he
was under not to go out of Jerusalem; or he might think Solomon had forgot it;
or that he could come and go secretly without his knowledge; or if he should
know of it
he might hope he would never punish him with death for so small a
fault; however
so it was ordered by the providence of God leaving him to his
own lust
and the temptations of Satan
that he might suffer just punishment
for cursing David:
and Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath; for the king
being at peace with Israel
and a tributary to them also
did not choose to
detain them
but delivered them up lest it should be resented
and bring him
into trouble.
1 Kings 2:41 41 And Solomon was told that
Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had come back.
YLT
41And it is declared to
Solomon that Shimei hath gone from Jerusalem to Gath
and doth return
And it was told Solomon
.... By the spies he set
to watch and observe his motions
or by some others who had seen him go out and
return
and knew that it was contrary to the king's orders:
that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath
and was come again; which was
thirty four miles from JerusalemF8Bunting's Travels
&c. p. 124.
; whereas his utmost bounds
whither he might go
was the brook Kidron
about
half a mile from it.
1 Kings 2:42 42 Then the king sent and
called for Shimei
and said to him
“Did I not make you swear by the Lord
and warn you
saying
‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and travel anywhere
you
shall surely die’? And you said to me
‘The word I have heard is good.’
YLT
42and the king sendeth and
calleth for Shimei
and saith unto him
`Have I not caused thee to swear by
Jehovah -- and I testify against thee
saying
In the day of thy going out
and
thou hast gone anywhere
thou dost certainly know that thou dost surely die;
and thou sayest unto me
The word I have heard [is] good?
And the king sent and called for Shimei
.... He sent
messengers to him
and by them ordered him to come to him
who accordingly
came:
and he said unto him
did not I make thee swear by the Lord; which
though
not before mentioned
was no doubt done
nor did Shimei deny it:
and protested unto thee; that is
declared before
witnesses:
saying
know for certain
that on the day thou goest out; namely
out
of the city of Jerusalem:
and walkest abroad any whither; further at most than the
brook Kidron
or any other place equally distant from Jerusalem
on any side of
it; for when he went to Gath
he did not go over Kidron
but went the road the
other way around. Kidron lay to the east
and Gath to the west of Jerusalem:
now the protestation made to him was
that if he went out of Jerusalem any way
that thou shalt surely die; it would be sure and
certain death to him:
and thou saidst unto me
the word that I have heard is
good; not only he promised to obey it
and that with an oath
but declared
it was agreeable and acceptable to him
and therefore the offence was a very
aggravated one.
1 Kings 2:43 43 Why then have you not kept
the oath of the Lord
and the commandment that I gave you?”
YLT
43and wherefore hast thou not
kept the oath of Jehovah
and the charge that I charged upon thee?'
Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord
.... Which was
made by him
and in his presence
and in which he was appealed to
and so by
not keeping it was guilty of perjury:
and the commandment that I have charged thee with? and so guilty
of disobedience to him as his sovereign; for which two reasons he ought to die.
1 Kings 2:44 44 The king said moreover to
Shimei
“You know
as your heart acknowledges
all the wickedness that you did
to my father David; therefore the Lord will return your
wickedness on your own head.
YLT
44And the king saith unto
Shimei
`Thou hast known all the evil that thy heart hath known
which thou
didest to David my father
and Jehovah hath turned back thine evil on thy head
The king said moreover to Shimei
.... Not as another
reason for his putting him to death
but to remind him of his former sins
and
to observe to him the providence of God in suffering him to fall into others
that justice might take place upon him for them also:
thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to
that thou didst to David my father; which conscience must
bear witness to
and accuse him of
not only of the words and actions
themselves uttered and done by him
but of the malice and wickedness from
whence they sprung:
therefore the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head; the
punishment of it; which though not directly inflicted for that
yet in
providence was brought about as a just retaliation for it.
1 Kings 2:45 45 But King Solomon shall
be blessed
and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.”
YLT
45and king Solomon [is]
blessed
and the throne of David is established before Jehovah unto the age.'
And King Solomon shall be blessed
.... With a
long and peaceable reign
and large dominions
notwithstanding all the attempts
to make him unhappy:
and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord for
ever; the kingdom of David over Judah for a long time
in his natural
line; and the kingdom of Israel
spiritual Israel
for ever in his son the
Messiah; and that in the presence of the Lord
he observing
ordering
and
succeeding all things to that purpose.
1 Kings 2:46 46 So the king commanded
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out and struck him down
and he died.
Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
YLT
46And the king chargeth
Benaiah son of Jehoiada
and he goeth out and falleth on him
and he dieth
and
the kingdom is established in the hand of Solomon.
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
which went out
.... From the
presence of the king
and took Shimei with him to the proper place of
execution
it not being fitting to execute him before the king:
and fell upon him
that he died; put him to death by the
sword:
and the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon; Adonijah the
usurper
and Joab the general of the army
who took on his side
being both put
to death; and Abiathar the high priest deposed
who was in the same conspiracy;
and Shimei
a dangerous and troublesome man
dispatched
there remained none to
give any disturbance; so that he now sat easy and quiet on his throne
and
things with respect to the civil government were on a firm and settled
foundation.
──《John Gill’s
Exposition of the Bible》
New King James
Version (NKJV)