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Jerusalem is saved.

Before

1017.

CHAP. XXIV.

CHRIST upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

11.

16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to dea1 Sam. 15. stroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

17 And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

18 ¶ And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.

:

Araunah's generous offer.

the king and his servants coming on toward him and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing floor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.

24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels

20 And Araunah looked, and saw of silver.

ment threatened by God, for the violation of this statute, concerning the numbering the people, Exod. xxx. 12. Dr. Chandler.

It is easy to understand, on what account the pestilence is called more properly "the hand of God:" for war and many other calamities proceed from causes visible to all men; whereas none sees or knows whence the pestilence proceeds; no perceptible alteration is made in any of the elements which surround us; and it therefore is referred more peculiarly to the immediate interference of the Deity. Bp. Patrick.

15.

- to the time appointed:] Not to the end of the three days; for, ver. 16, "the Lord repented him of the evil" it means, probably, the appointed time of evening prayer, that is, about the ninth hour of the day; according to which sense the plague lasted nine hours. Bp. Patrick.

66

there died-seventy thousand men.] If it should be thought strange that God should destroy 70,000 men of Israel for David's fault, it should be recollected that God has an absolute right over the lives of all his creatures; and that, if ever He does any thing seemingly hard, He knows how to make them ample amends. But the anger of the Lord was (also) kindled against Israel," ver. 1; the people themselves had sins many and great, which deserved punishment, and for which they would probably have been before punished, had it not been for God's favour towards David, who would have suffered in common with them: now, therefore, when both king and people had deserved a correction or judgment, God was pleased to let loose his anger against both. Dr. Waterland.

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Before CHRIST 1017.

the angel was by the threshingplace] That is, the pestilence had spread in Jerusalem to this point. It is agreed by the learned, that this threshingfloor was situated upon mount Moriah, whereon Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac, and whereon Solomon afterwards built the temple. Dr. Wells.

17.

- of Araunah the Jebusite.] As Araunah is called a Jebusite, it thus appears that all the Jebusites were not at this time expelled from Jerusalem. Dr. Wall. but these sheep,] A noble example of the tenderness which kings should have for their subjects. Bp. Wilson. How sensibly was David affected with his people's sufferings under that pestilence which his imprudence and their neglect had brought upon them! How tenderly and affectionately does he plead with God in their behalf! What a noble instance of publick spirit, and generous concern for the safety of his people, does this moving and pathetick expostulation manifest! Here is the real language and spirit of a genuine shepherd of his people, willing to devote himself and his family to God, for the preservation of his subjects. Dr. Chandler. Although David, like a true patriot king and most affectionate father, intercedes for his people, and desires to receive in his own person and family the stroke that was ready to descend on them, yet it should seem that the people were by no means without fault; for (as was noted at ver. 1,) "the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel;" and, as a consequence of this, David was excited to number the people. The offences of the people called for punishment; and, on the numbering the people, an opportunity was taken to inflict it. Bp. Horne.

23. - did Araunah, as a king, give] As a king; that is, in a bountiful and royal manner. Bp. Hall. bought for fifty shekels of silver.] Here again this book differs from that of Chronicles, 1 Chron. xxi. 25, where it is said, that David bought the threshing

24.

The plague

Before CHRIST 1017.

II. SAMUEL.

25 And David built there an altar the LORD was intreated for the unto the LORD, and offered burnt land, and the plague was stayed offerings and peace offerings. So from Israel.

floor, &c. for six hundred shekels of gold, instead of fifty shekels of silver. It is generally supposed that, in the whole, David made two purchases; first, he bought the threshingfloor and oxen, for which he paid fifty shekels of silver; and afterwards he bought all the ground about it, (out of which the courts of the temple were made,) which cost him six hundred shekels of gold. Bp. Patrick.

The conduct of David on this occasion should be a warning to all men, to keep their hearts with all diligence, so that they be not overcome with pride, and the love of worldly things. For, if these sinful affections could break into the heart of such a holy man as David, what victories will they be apt to gain over others, who are not so vigilant! Too often, alas, do they alienate men from the love of God, and provoke him to punish them with the want of even necessary things; for the case of David is the case of too many amongst mankind. When they are exalted to honours, they forget themselves, and grow proud and insolent. When riches increase, their sensual lusts and corrupt manners commonly increase in the same proportion. When they dwell securely in full peace and health, they put away

is stayed.

Before CHRIST 1017.

far from them the evil day, living as if they should never die, and should never appear before God to give an ac count of all their works. Reading.

David's crime in numbering the people appears to have consisted in a want of confidence in God. Had he acted in the true spirit of a king of Israel, he would have been less solicitous about the number of his forces, and would have trusted God with the work which He had undertaken, and which He had constantly, and in David's case, in a very particular manner, discharged faithfully. Read the promise in the law; "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee." And consider, what but distrust in God could tempt David to number his forces? Happy had it been for him and the people, had he then reflected, that "God hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse, neither delighteth he in any man's legs." He ought to have remembered what his own experience had taught him, that God wanted not the assistance of horse and foot to execute the designs of his providence. Bp. Sherlock.

The following Chapters from the second Book of Samuel are appointed for Proper Lessons on

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THE FIRST BOOK OF

THE KINGS,

COMMONLY CALLED,

THE THIRD BOOK OF THE KINGS.

INTRODUCTION.

THE two books of Kings formed only one in the Hebrew canon. They cannot be positively ascribed to any particular author: some have ascribed them to Jeremiah, some to Isaiah; and some, again, with more probability, suppose them to have been compiled by Ezra, from the records which were regularly kept, both in Jerusalem and Samaria, of all publick transactions. These records appear to have been made by the contemporary Prophets, and frequently derived their names from the kings whose history they contain. They are mentioned in many parts of Scripture: thus, in the first book of Kings, we read of the Book of the Acts of Solomon, which is supposed to have been written by Nathan, Ahijah, and Iddo. We elsewhere read, that Shemaiah the prophet, and Iddo the seer, wrote the acts of Rehoboam; that Jehu wrote the acts of Jehoshaphat, and Isaiah those of Uzziah and Hezekiah. We may therefore conclude, that from these publick records, and other authentick documents, were composed the two books of Kings; and the uniformity of their style favours the opinion of their being put into their present shape by the same person. Bp. Tomline.

The first book of Kings comprises a period of 126 years, from the death of David, in the year of the world 2989, to that of Jehoshaphat. After the description of the decay and death of David, we are presented with the most striking history of the reign of Solomon; of his wisdom and magnificence; of the building of the temple; of his extended commerce to Ophir; and of the visit of the queen of Sheba. To this succeeds an account of the miserable dotage and apostasy of Solomon; and of his death, preceded by a prospect of that threatened rending of the kingdom which should take place under his son. Afterwards are related the accession of Rehoboam; his rash and impolitick conduct, and the consequent separation of the ten tribes, which happened about the year of the world 3020. This is followed by a concise sketch of the history of the two kingdoms, in which particular periods are characterized by very animated relations; as that of the disobedient Prophet; of the widow of Zarephath; of Elijah and the prophets of Baal; of Benhadad's pride and defeat; of Ahab's injustice and punishment. In the course of these events we contemplate the exact accomplishment of God's promises and threats, the wisdom of his dispensations, and the mingled justice and mercy of his government. The book is stamped with the intrinsick marks of inspiration of the prophecies which it contains, some were speedily completed; but that which foretold that "Josiah should be born unto the house of David, and slay the priests of the high places," was not fulfilled till above 350 years after it was delivered. Both the books of Kings are cited as authentick and canonical by our Saviour and his Apostles. Dr. Gray.

It is sufficient to establish the authority and just esteem of these books, to consider that we owe them to the especial providence of God, as designed by Him for our great benefit and instruction; and that, by all circumstances compared together, we find them to have been collected by persons of unsuspected ability, care, and honesty, and handed down to us with as much purity and uncorruptedness in the copies, as the nature of such things could possibly bear. Pyle.

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Chap. I. ver. 1.-David was old and stricken in years;] He was now seventy years old, as we collect from 2 Sam. v. 4, 5. Bp. Patrick.

Adonijah usurpeth the kingdom.

Before CHRIST 1015.

+ Heb. Let them seek. + Heb.

a damsel, a virgin. + Heb. be a cherisher unto him.

I. KINGS. Nathan's advice to Bath-sheba thereupon.

2 Wherefore his servants said unto | him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not. 5¶ Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I † Heb. reign. will † be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

his days.

6 And his father had not displeased Heb. from him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.

+ Heb. his words were with Joab. + Heb. helped after Adonijah.

7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest and they + following Adonijah helped him.

2. — let her cherish him, &c.] Interpreters are much divided in opinion whether Abishag was the wife of David or not: some maintaining that she was truly his lawful wife; and others, that she was nothing more than a servant, or at most a concubine wife. Calmet.

5. Then Adonijah―exalted himself,] This attempt of Adonijah was another trial for David. Providence suffered this to happen, whilst David was yet alive, that Adonijah's party might be ruined and dispersed, and Solomon established in the kingdom; that so the promises made in favour of Solomon might be accomplished, and that the pride, and ambition, and conspiracy of Adonijah, might only hasten the exaltation of Solomon, and strengthen him in the kingdom. This is one of those examples which prove that God brings down the high looks of the proud, and generally confounds them in their own haughtiness; that nothing can hinder the execution of the designs of Providence; that whatever men do to prevent them, only serves to hasten them; and that criminal attempts turn to the confusion of the authors. Ostervald.

6. — his father had not displeased him &c.] It appears from this expression that Adonijah was a great favourite with his father, as Absalom had been before, whom he resembled in ambition and in beauty. Dr. Hales. Extraordinary indulgence to his children seems to have been one of David's great faults: he appears to have been so fond of them that he overlooked their errours, and never chided them for what they did amiss: now in his old age this weakness was more apparent, as he naturally grew more remiss, careless, and sluggish. Bp. Patrick. Adonijah, as well as Absalom, had been the darling of his father. Their father had not displeased them from their childhood; therefore they both displeased him in his age. The excessive indulgence of parents at last pays them home in crosses. Bp. Hall. David had nobody to blame but himself for this mis

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9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by | En-rogel, Or, the well and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants:

10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

Rogel.

11 ¶ Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of a Haggith doth a 2 Sam. 3. 4. reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?

12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.

13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly

conduct of his son. It was his own excessive indulgence which led to this extravagance. Strange weakness in parents and cruelty to their children, to suffer them to become incorrigible in errour, or inveterate in vice, rather than restrain them, while correction is kindness! Dr. Delaney.

9.-which is by En-rogel,] En-rogel lay not far from Jerusalem, to the east or north-east of it. Dr. Wells. Josephus says, that En-rogel means "the fountain in the king's garden." Dr. Hales.

are,

11. Wherefore Nathan spake &c.] The word "wherefore" is not in the Hebrew; where the words "And Nathan spake." The insertion of the word "wherefore" in our translation has sometimes given birth to a very unfounded insinuation against Nathan, as if a feeling of resentment for the neglect shewn to him by Adonijah, as mentioned in the preceding verse, was the cause of his discovering the plot to David; whereas there can be no doubt that Zadok and Nathan were actuated by loyalty and affection to the king, and by the desire of having the succession to the crown settled by his appointment and authority. Dr. Chandler.

Nathan was the man by whom God had sent to David that message of assurance, that his son Solomon should reign and prosper: yet now, when Adonijah's plot was on foot, he did not sit still and depend upon the issue of God's decree, but bestirred himself in the business, and consulted with Bath-sheba how at once to save their lives, and defeat Adonijah and advance Solomon. If we would not have God wanting to us, we must not be wanting to ourselves. Bp. Hall.

12. and the life of thy son Solomon.] For, if Adonijah had succeeded in his treason, Solomon, as being the rival of his throne, would have fallen an immediate sacrifice. Dr. Chandler.

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Bath-sheba moveth the king.

Before CHRIST 1015.

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upon

Before CHRIST 1015.

Solomon thy son shall reign after me, | reign after me, and he shall sit and he shall sit upon my throne? my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? 14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come + Heb. fill up. in after thee, and confirm thy words. 15 ¶ And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. 16 And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, +What wouldest thou?

25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, † God save king + Heb. Let Adonijah.

+ Heb.
What to thee?

+ Heb. sinners.

17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted + offenders. 22 ¶ And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall

David had solemnly sworn to her, that her son should be made his successor. It appears from 2 Sam. vii. 12, that God had designed him for that honour; for He there promises to David, by Nathan, to set upon his throne a son that should proceed from him, which plainly signifies, that none of his sons already born should succeed him. But more plainly, at 1 Chron. xxii. 8, 9, David declares, that God had told him his son Solomon should reign after him and build Him a house. All this, we may well suppose, was known to Adonijah, which makes his crime the greater, in setting himself against the decree of Heaven, as he himself indeed confesses in the next chapter, ver. 15. Bp. Patrick.

21. shall be counted offenders.] Shall be deemed

26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

kingAdonijah

live.

28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, Heb. and stood before the king.

29 And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

30 Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

31 Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

32 And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the

king.

before the

king.

33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon + mine own mule, and bring + Heb. which him down to Gihon:

34 And let Zadok the priest and

belongeth

to me.

guilty of death, for aiming at the kingdom. Bp. Patrick.

26. But me, even me thy servant,-hath he not called.] Nathan's meaning is, that Adonijah had not acquainted him, Zadok, &c. with his purpose, taken them into his counsels, nor asked their consent, in order that they might not have an opportunity of frustrating his measures. Dr. Chandler.

27. Is this thing done by my lord the king, &c.] Is this feast of Adonijah, his proclaiming himself king, and his assumption of the royal authority, done by the king's consent and order? Dr. Chandler.

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