THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS.

Introduction.

:

I. Title, VARIOUS. Prob. they derived their name fr. initial words vaMelech David = "now King David" (Origen) as the Bk. of Genesis does. In the LXX. they are called BAZIAEION=reigns or kingdoms of wh. it calls Sam. the first and second, and these the third and fourth. In the Vulgate it is Liber Regum tertius; secundum Hebræus, Liber Malachim :="the third book of Kings; according to the Hebrews, the first book of Malachim." Old Syriac has" Here follows the book of the Kings who flourished among the ancient people; and in this are also exhibited the history of the prophets, who flourished in their times." II. Author. Of this nothing certain is known. Prob. as "memoirs of their own times were written by several of the prophets for the use of their kingdom, the present books were compiled fr. these records by Jeremiah or Ezra (Angus). In favour of this view, wh. is advocated by Havernich, is Jewish tradition. (1) The hist. reaches the liberation of Jehoiachim fr. Babylon; ab. 26 yrs. aft. destruc. of Jerasalem. (2) A late authorship is proved by freq. use of Chaldaisms (De Wette). (3) There is a remarkable affinity of style betw. Kings and Jeremiah (Havernich). (4) That the bks. were drawn up fr. var. documents by one hand is confirmed by the bks. themselves. (5) Work of eye-witness shown in vividness of descrip. (6) There are frequent appeals to official documents-Chronicles of the Kings of Judah and Israel, cf. Est. ii. 23, vi. 1. (7) Uniformity of style, etc., indicates revision by one person (see Angus, Horne, etc.). III. Time. Not earlier than B.C. 562, when Jehoiachim was liberated; nor later than B.C. 536-the date of the return fr. the Babylonian exile-" for the author concludes with the deliverance of Jehoiachim as a joyful, hopeful event, and does not utter a syllable ab. the still more important and joyous matter, the return of the whole people, wh. is first mentioned in Ezra i. (Bähr). IV. Authenticity. (1) They contain many predictions. (2) They are cited as authentic by Jesus (Lu. iv. 25-27) and by His Apostles (Ac. vii. 47; Ro. xi. 2—4; Ja. v. 17, 18). (3) Received into the Canon by Jewish and Christian churches in every age. (4) Authenticity confirmed by testimony of profane writers (Jos., Antiq. viii. 2 -see instances of confirmation collected by Eusebius, Prep. Evang. lib. x. Grotius, de Veritate, iii. 16; also Horne, i. 141–166). V. Period covered by this Book, 126 yrs. i.e. fr. anointing of Sol. A.M. 2989, to death of Jehoshaphat, A.M. 3115.

Additional Note.-Other differences (in addition to discrepancies in the dates and the order of the events) are occasionally found, and refer chiefly to numbers and names. It is well known that the text of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles is in a worse condition than that of any other of the inspired writings; nor must we ascribe to the author what is really due to the error of copyists. These errors, it may be added, do not affect any article of faith or rule of life, and till we can rectify them they ought to be candidly acknowledged (Angus).

Synopsis.

B.C. 1015.

David's last illness

a "No Jewish monarch

after

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

1—4. (1) old, about 70 years of age. (2 Sa. v. 4, 5.) clothes, bed-clothes; David was evidently keeping his bed. (2) let there be, etc., this was the advice of the physicians. Polygamy being David, except- permitted, this device was not morally wrong. The damsel was ing Solomon and regarded as a concubine, or secondary wife. (3) Abishag, father Manasseh, exceeded 60 years." of error d Shunammite, of Shunem, now Sulam, village on an -Spk. Com. eminence in plain of Esdraelon, 5 m. S. of Tabor.e (4) fair, bCoverings the best being selected bec. for a king.

can

serve and accu

and garments Weakness and infirmity of old age (vv. 1-4).—They are—I. The only pre- universal human lot to which we must all consider ourselves mulate the heat appointed (Ps. xc. 10). II. They should loosen the bands which actually existing hold us to the temporal and perishable, and ripen us for eternity in the body; but (2 Cor. iv. 17 sq.)

not supply that

which is gone.

A curious Eastern custom (v. 2).-This is by no means so Only Я living uncommon a thing as people in England suppose. Men of body could im- seventy years of age and upwards often take a young virgin for part living warmth."-Keil. the same purpose as David did, and no other. It is believed to c Josephus, Ant. be exceedingly healthful for an aged person thus to sleep. "In the Jud. vii. 11. hot season he is kept cool, and in the cold season warm, by Fr. ab, fa- sleeping with a young person; his withered body derives nourishther; shagag to wander."-Gese- ment from the other. Thus, decrepit men may be seen having a young female in the house (to whom, generally, they are not e Jos. xix. 18; 1 married), and to whom they bequeath a considerable portion of their property.9

nius.

Sa. xxviii. 4.

f Bähr.

g Roberts.

Adonijah's conspiracy

5-10. (5) Adonijah, Dav.'s fourth son, but prob. eldest now living. will be king, forcing his natural right as eldest against the Divine right of Solomon. Comp. 2 Sa. xv. 1-6. (6) a Comp. 2 Sa. not displeased, etc., the indulgence of David's family rule was iii. 2, 4, xiii. 29, one source of his family troubles. (7) Joab, this man's faithxviii. 14. Of fulness to Dav. had been most marked, but he never appears Chileab, or Daniel, we have acting fr. high relig. motives: so here would not accept the Div. later men- appointed Solomon. Abiathar, prob. jealous of the superior influence of Zadok.c (8) Shimei, probably Dav.'s brother b"If a parent Shimeah; or the son of Elah, as ch. iv. 18. Rei, Ira, as 2 Sa. does not punish xx. 26, or Raddai. (9) Zoheleth, a stone not identified; for will be sure to En-rogel see Jos. xv. 7. (10) called, invited.

no

tion.

his sons, his sons

punish him." — Dr. Guthrie.

c Wordsworth.

d Spk. Stanley. e Keil,

Remonstrance with evil-doers (v. 6).—Adonijah, fourth son of David by Haggith (2 Sam. iii. 4), conspired for the crown. Much of evil that Adonijah did traceable to bad training. David erred in the treatment of his children. We learn-I. That remonstrance with evil-doers is an imperative duty. II. That it Words- is a very difficult duty. III. That it is a much neglected duty."

Com.;

Lect. ii. 282.

worth, etc. En-rogel (v. 9).-Šiloam was a fountain under the walls of f Ewald. "Stone of ser- Jerusalem, east, between the city and the brook Kedron; it is pents." supposed to be the same as the fountain En-rogel, or the Fuller's v.5. H. Lindsay, Fountain. The spring issues from a rock, and runs in a silent, stream, according to the testimony of Jeremiah. It has a kind i Chateaubriand. of ebb and flood, sometimes discharging its current like the "A college edu- fountain of Vaucluse; at others, retaining and scarcely suffering man how little it to run at all. The pool, or rather the two pools of the same other people name, are quite close to the spring. They are still used for wash

h W. Forsyth.

cation shows a

ing linen as formerly. The water of the spring is brackish, and has a very disagreable taste: people still bathe their eyes with it, in memory of the miracle performed on the man born blind." i

Bathsheba

a "Cassander put to death Roxana, the

ander the Great, at the same time

11-14. (11) Nathan, doing his duty as prophet of God, pre- Nathan venting any infringement of the Div. will. (12) Adonijah could informs only secure his position by putting both to death." (13) didst not thou, on what occasion this was said is not known it was after he received the promise, 2 Sa. vii. The spirit of the theocracy being retained, God designated whom He pleased as the widow of Alexnew king. (14) confirm, support by further testimony. Nathan the type of a true prophet (vv. 11—27).-I. Through his watchfulness and fidelity (Ez. xxxiii. 7): he is not silent when it was his duty to open his mouth (Is. lvi. 10). II. Through his wisdom and gentleness (Mat. x. 16). III. Through his earnestness and courage (Mat. x. 28). IV. How grand is this Nathan, how reproving to all who sleep when they should be wakeful, who are dumb when they should counsel, who flatter when they should warn.

with her son, the young Alexander." - Justin

XV. 2.

Cambyses, King

of Persia, slew his brother

Smerdis out of

envy because he could draw Я stronger bow than himself or

dubious man in

Confirm thy words (v. 14).—The Hebrew has for confirm, "fill up." "I wish you to go and inform Tamban, that I will gladly go into court and fill up all his words." "My friend, do not any of his folbelieve that man's words."-" Not believe them ! why, his words lowers. have been filled up by many people." 'Well, you say you saw "I am the most Muttoo turn his cattle last night into your rice-fields, what proof have you?"-" None, my lord; I was alone, and therefore have no one to fill up my words." "As Venase was coming through the cinnamon gardens, that notorious robber Kalloway met him, took from him his ear-rings, finger-rings, and five gold mohurs; but before he got off several people came up, who knew him well, so that there will be plenty of witnesses to fill up his words."b

the world about.
my own judg-
ment, and wil
stickle for no-
to live and to
thing, excepting
trust in
Lord."- Berridge.

b Roberts.

David

1, 2.

my

15-21. (15) chamber, inner bed-chamber, to wh. the king Bathsheba was confined. (16) obeisance, indicating the state ceremonial informs kept up in the Hebrew court." (17) thy son, not bringing herself in. (18) reigneth, only true that he was making the a Comp. Esth. v. attempt. (19) but Sol., etc., with this statement she intends to show that it was an antagonistic movement. Not a mere piece of jealousy. (20) thou shouldst tell, his right of fixing his successor was fully recognised. (21) offenders, exposed to death, as guilty of a capital crime.

"Such right of among a number of sons is in the East recognised, and even now

selecting one

century, had 60 sons, all brought up by their mo

thers with the

Bathsheba before the king (vv. 15-21).-She reminds him of his exercised."-Jaduty-I. Towards God, before whom he had sworn: vows to God, mieson. according to His will, must be kept. II. Towards the people "The Shah of whose well-being and whose woe were in his keeping :-respon- Persia, at the sibility of kings. III. Towards the wife and child whose happi- beginning of this ness and life were at stake-woe to the father through whose guilt wife and children, after his death, fall into contempt and wickedness. Husbands saluted (v. 16).-When a husband goes on a journey, hope of succeeding." Morier, or when he returns, his wife, on seeing him, puts her hands thro' Stanley. together, and presents them to him as an act of obeisance. "Nothing loveWhen she has an important request to make, she does the same lier can be found thing; and it is surprising to see the weakness of him who in woman, than tends to be the stronger vessel, for, under such circumstances, hold good, and she will gain almost anything she wants. Hence, the force of good works in

pre

to study house