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1Ki 1:1-4.

ABISHAG CHERISHES DAVID IN HIS EXTREME AGE.

1, 2. Now king David was old--He was in the seventieth year of his age

(2Sa 5:4, 5).

But the wear and tear of a military life, bodily fatigue, and mental care, had prematurely, if we may say it, exhausted the energies of David's strong constitution

(1Sa 16:12).

In modern Palestine and Egypt the people, owing to the heat of the climate, sleep each in a "separate" bed. They only depart from this practice for medical reasons

(Ec 4:11).

The expedient recommended by David's physicians is the regimen still prescribed in similar cases in the East, particularly among the Arab population, not simply to give heat, but "to cherish," as they are aware that the inhalation of young breath will give new life and vigor to the worn-out frame. The fact of the health of the young and healthier person being, as it were, stolen to support that of the more aged and sickly is well established among the medical faculty. And hence the prescription for the aged king was made in a hygienic point of view for the prolongation of his valuable life, and not merely for the comfort to be derived from the natural warmth imparted to his withered frame [PORTER, Tent and Khan]. The polygamy of the age and country may account for the introduction of this practice; and it is evident that Abishag was made a concubine or secondary wife to David (see on

1Ki 2:22).

3. a Shunammite--Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar

(Jos 19:18),

lay on an eminence in the plain of Esdraelon, five miles south of Tabor. It is now called Sulam.

1Ki 1:5-31.

ADONIJAH USURPS THE KINGDOM.

5, 6. Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself--Nothing is said as to the origin or rank of Haggith, so that it is probable she was not distinguished by family descent. Adonijah, though David's fourth son

(2Sa 3:4; 1Ch 3:2),

was now the oldest alive; and his personal attractions and manners

(1Sa 9:2)

not only recommended him to the leading men about court, but made him the favorite of his father, who, though seeing him assume an equipage becoming only the heir-presumptive to the throne

(2Sa 15:1),

said nothing; and his silence was considered by many, as well as by Adonijah, to be equivalent to an expression of consent. The sinking health of the king prompted him to take a decisive step in furtherance of his ambitious designs.

7. he conferred with Joab--The anxiety of Adonijah to secure the influence of a leader so bold, enterprising, and popular with the army was natural, and the accession of the hoary commander is easily accounted for from his recent grudge at the king (see on

2Sa 19:13).

and with Abiathar the priest--His influence was as great over the priests and Levites--a powerful body in the kingdom--as that of Joab over the troops. It might be that both of them thought the crown belonged to Adonijah by right of primogeniture, from his mature age and the general expectations of the people

(1Ki 2:15).

8. But Zadok the priest--He had been high priest in the tabernacle at Gibeon under Saul

(1Ch 16:39).

David, on his accession, had conjoined him and Abiathar equal in the exercise of their high functions

(2Sa 8:17; 15:24, 29, 35).

But it is extremely probable that some cause of jealousy or discord between them had arisen, and hence each lent his countenance and support to opposite parties.

Benaiah--Distinguished for his bravery

(1Sa 23:20),

he had been appointed captain of the king's bodyguard

(2Sa 8:18; 20:23; 1Ch 18:17),

and was regarded by Joab as a rival.

Nathan the prophet--He was held in high estimation by David, and stood on the most intimate relations with the royal family

(2Sa 12:25).

Shimei--probably the person of this name who was afterwards enrolled among Solomon's great officers

(1Ki 4:18).

Rei--supposed to be the same as Ira

(2Sa 20:26).

and the mighty men--the select band of worthies.

9, 10. En-rogel--situated

(Jos 15:7-10)

east of Jerusalem, in a level place, just below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. It is a very deep well, measuring one hundred twenty-five feet in depth; the water is sweet, but not very cold, and it is at times quite full to overflowing. The Orientals are fond of enjoying festive repasts in the open air at places which command the advantage of shade, water, and verdure; and those fetes champetres are not cold collations, but magnificent entertainments, the animals being killed and dressed on the spot. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was one of this Oriental description, and it was on a large scale

(2Sa 3:4, 5; 5:14-16; 1Ch 14:1-7).

At the accession of a new king there were sacrifices offered

(1Sa 11:15).

But on such an occasion it was no less customary to entertain the grandees of the kingdom and even the populace in a public manner

(1Ch 12:23-40).

There is the strongest probability that Adonijah's feast was purely political, to court popularity and secure a party to support his claim to the crown.

11-27. Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba . . . let me . . . give thee counsel, &c.--The revolt was defeated by this prophet, who, knowing the Lord's will

(2Sa 7:12; 1Ch 22:9),

felt himself bound, in accordance with his character and office, to take the lead in seeing it executed. Hitherto the succession of the Hebrew monarchy had not been settled. The Lord had reserved to Himself the right of nomination

(De 17:15),

which was acted upon in the appointments both of Saul and David; and in the case of the latter the rule was so far modified that his posterity were guaranteed the perpetual possession of the sovereignty

(2Sa 7:12).

This divine purpose was known throughout the kingdom; but no intimation had been made as to whether the right of inheritance was to belong to the oldest son. Adonijah, in common with the people generally, expected that this natural arrangement should be followed in the Hebrew kingdom as in all others. Nathan, who was aware of the old king's solemn promise to Solomon, and, moreover, that this promise was sanctioned by the divine will, saw that no time was to be lost. Fearing the effects of too sudden excitement in the king's feeble state, he arranged that Bath-sheba should go first to inform him of what was being transacted without the walls, and that he himself should follow to confirm her statement. The narrative here not only exhibits the vivid picture of a scene within the interior of a palace, but gives the impression that a great deal of Oriental state ceremonial had been established in the Hebrew court.

20. the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne--When the kings died without declaring their will, then their oldest son succeeded. But frequently they designated long before their death which of their sons should inherit the throne. The kings of Persia, as well as of other Eastern countries, have exercised the same right in modern and even recent times.