The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 11

Jove for the beautiful Bhunammite and the words were" (2 Sam. iii.17, Heb.)J With Joab desire to gain possession of her mo.y have [Joa.b'a she.re in this conspiracy, despite bia strengthened his resolves, It is noteworthy hitherto unwavering fidelity to David, is that he and his beauty are mentioned just easily accounted for. He must have known after her and hers): and he prepared [Heb, that he was under David's displeasure, a.nd made] him cha.riots and horsemen [rather he must he.ve feared, too, that be would be horses, as in 1 Sam. viii. 11 ; 1 Kings v. 6, an object of dislike and distrust to a suc. Heb. The former passage almost settles the cessor trained, as Solomon had been, under meaning here. Keil assumes that a mounted David's and Nathan's immediate influence. escort is meant), and fifty men to run He could hardly be unconscious that under before him [as Absalom before him (2 Sam. a new reign bis position-unless be took xv. 1). Adonijah seems in every way to measures to assn.re it--wouW be a preca- have imitated Absalom. Josephus says he rious one. He resolved, therefore, to secure resembled him in disposition. Chariots, himself by helping Adonijah to his throne, horses, andoutrunners arementioned(l Sam. It is also hlghly probable that Adonijah's viii. 11) as the very first of the king's in. ambitious character was much more to his signia, Horses were such natural and liking than that of the pious and pacific fomilfor tokens of royal state (not being Solomon. Adonijab's physical qualities, employed in agriculture or for travelling), again, would no doubt commend him to that the Hebrew kings were warned (Deut. this rough soldier, who may also have xvii. 16) against multiplying them. Out- sympathised with him as the eldest BOD. runners again, such as the Roman emperors And there may have been other circum- had (called by them cursores), and such as we sta.nces (such, e.g., as close personal friend- find at the present day in Egypt, foot-men ship), of whlch we know nothing) the son who precede the chariot at full speed, a.nd of Zeruia.h, a.nd With Ab1atha.r [in 2 Sam. by their shrill cries clear the way, are ad- viii. 17, we read that "Ahi.melech son of mirably calculated to impress the public Abiathe.r" was priest. Similarly, 1 Chron. mind, According to Morier, "runners xxiv. 6. An obvious transposition] the before the king's horse in Persia are indis- prtest. [" Abiatha.r's defection is still more pensable to the royal state." Adonijah surprising" than Joab's (Rawlinson). It is hoped by this display of regal pomp to win certainly remarkable, when we consider the the suffrages of the people.] close ties which subsisted between Abiatba.r Ver. 6.-And his father had not dis- and David, ties which were cemented by pleased [or pained, ajfiicted. The LXX. the blood of eighty-five persons (1 Sam. has a1rE1<wAv<rEv] him at any time [Heb. xxii. 18), and strengthened by the many from his days, i.e., all his days, LXX. oviii- afflictions which they had shared in com- 1rorE, Vulg. a diebus ej'll,S, Sein Lebtage mon (ibid. ver. 23 to eh. xxviii. ; 2 Sam. xv. (Bahr). Some (Seb. Schmidt, e.g.) would 24--29), that he should have joined in a understand "since the days of his ambition plot to defeat David's oheriebed hopes and and display"] 1n saying, Why hast thou plans-plans, too, which be moot sw·ely done so? and he also [i.e., he also, as well as have known, bad the sanction of religion Absalom, mentioned presently; or, possibly, (1 Chron. xxviii. 5), and there must have he as well as Abishag just mentioned. been some powerful motive to account for Bahr's rendering, "Und dazu war er sehr this. May we not find one in jealousy of echon," &o. "And moreover he" was, &o. Zadok, who bad for some time been asso- will not stand] was a very goodly man [of. ciated with him in the priesthood, who is 2 Sam. xiv. 25. This accounted in part generally mentioned first (2 Sam. viii. 17 ; not only for his ambition, but also for his xv. 29, 35, 36; xx. 25), as if he were the following); and his mother [the two last more important a.nd influential, and whose words are not in the original, which simply advanoement, after the prophecy of 1 Sam. has "and she bare," n,,,_ There is no ii. 33--36, Abiatbe.r could not contemple;te without suspicion and dread. Is it not need, with Thenius, to r~;:d, 1?; genuit, or highly probable that among the " words " with others, 1 17,n, We have a similar Adonijah bad with him was a promise to ellipsis in Num. xxvi. 69. The meaning restore the priesthood to his family exclu- is quite clear, viz., that Haggith bare sively, as the reward of his allegiance): and Adonijah to David next after Me.a.cbah bore they following AdonJJah helped him (lit., as him Absalom. Thie fact is mentioned to marg., •· helped after Adonijab." It is a show that be was the eldest surviving son ; pregnant construction, "they 11iued having and it shows therefore tbu.t seniority counted followed the side of Adonijah" (Geseuius), for something (of. oh. ii. 25)) bare him Ver. 8.-But Zadok the priest [2 Sam. after Absalom. viii. 17. It is generally said to be difficult to Ver. 7.-And he oonferred [Heb. "his explain " how Za.dok and Abin.thu.r c11me  4 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [en. 1. 1-68.