The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 31

EXPOSITION. CHAPTER Il. 1-11. but the sudden brightening of the flame THE LAST WOBDS A.ND DEA.TB OF DAVID, before it dies out in the socket-and we see -The death of David, and of COUIS8 the him in this second chapter, once more in charge which preceded it, did not follow the ante-chamber of dee.th. Now, he he.a immediately (as the casual reader might be already given his pe.rting che.rge to the tempted to suppose) on the events related princes of the realm, and has publicly in chap. i. We find from 1 Chron. xxili.- exhorted Solomon to discharge his duties xxix. 23, that the aged king recovered suffi. faithfully (2 Chron. xxviii. 9, 10) ; but as cient strength to leave his sick room, to he feels the end e.pproaching, he summons gather round him the princes of Israel him to his side to impart to him his last (1 Chron. xxiii. 2), to make e. number of e.nd private instructions, and addresses him fresh arrangements respecting the priests thus: and Levites and the services of the sanc- Ver. 1.-I go the way [lit., I am walking tuary, and even to "stand up upon his (same word as in ver. 3) in the way] of all feet" (1 Chron. x.xviii. 2) and address e. the earth [i.e. , of all the sons of earth, e.11 mankind (cf 1 Sam. 17,46; 1 Kings x., 24; le.rge assembly respecting the erection ani Psa. lxvi. 4, &c.) The path to Sheol, the adornment of the Temple. And once more, path which ell '.b.i.s forefathers, and untold in strains which are among the noblest and millions more, he.Te trod, he is tree.ding it sweetest which the sweet singer of Israel now. The words sound like a reminiscence ever penned, he '' blessed the Lord before of Josh. xxili. 24. Perhaps, too, the thought of Joshua suggested to his mind the 11ex.t all the congregation 11 (oh. x.xix. 10. sqq.); wordsJ : but be thou strong, and be a IIUUL he u.lso instituted festal sacrifices on e. [Similar, though not identical, words were scu.le of great magnificence, and witnessed four times addressed to Joshua (Josh. i. a second and probably more formu.1 and 6, 7, 9, 18), and David may woll have thought that his son, in entering upon his public consecro.tion of his son to the kingly difficult duties, was not e.t all wilike J oshue. office (vers. 21, 22 ; cf. 1 Sam. xi. 15 ; when he succeeded Moses in the leadership 2 Sam. v. 3). But the recovery cannot of Israel, nnd that he needed similar en- havo been otherwise thlW transient -it was couro.gement. It is not nece~~a.ry to sup-  2-1 THE FIRS'!' BOOK OF KINGS. [cu. n. 1-11.