The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

The first Book of KINGS. (Book 1 Kings)

CHAP. I. all.

DAVID in his old age is struck with a cold dead palsie, that no clothes can keep him warm, whereupon his Phisicians perswade him to marry a young fresh Damzel, which proveth to be Abishag of Shunem, in the County of Issachar. Adonijah upon the Kings age and decrepitness, stands up for the Kingdom; the Kings darling, and like Elies Sons, spoiled by his father for want of reproof; his next child to Absalom, by another woman, and like Absalom in beauty and rebellion. His aspiring to the Kingdom causeth David to anoint Solomon, to put the matter out of questi∣on. But here is a matter of some question about the time of Solomons anointing, and about the order of this Chapter.

We find three times mention of Solomons being made King, namely, twice in the Book of Chronicles, and once here, see 1 Chron. 23. 1. & 29. 22. Now the doubt lieth in this, whether he were three times made King indeed, and so all the three Texts that speak of it to be taken severally; or whether only twice, as 1 Chron. 29. 22. seemeth to settle, and then this Story to be concurrent with one of those relations in the Chronicles.

That that must give light in this obscurity, is this, That this anointing of Solomon mentioned in this 1 King. 1. upon this aspiring of Adonijah, was the first time that ever David shewed, who should raign after him, see ver. 20, 27. and therefore it must needs be held concurrent or the same with that ma∣king Solomon King in 1 Chron. 23. 1. and the current of the Story will make it plain.

Only that scruple that lies yet in the way [that being supposed] is this: That David at this first unction of Solomon, should be in his chamber, and upon his bed, and exceedingly decrepit: And yet at his second anointing should be in the midst of his Princes and Commanders, and standing upon his feet, 1 Chron. 28. 2. But this also will be removed, if it be but considered, that Davids pre∣sent infirmity was not sickness, but coldness and benummedness, and old age; he was heart whole, and head whole; but he was old and palsick, and therefore though his most common and most commodious posture and composure was to be in his chamber, and upon his couch; yet upon such an occasion as to Crown Solomon again before all Israel, he can come forth, and stand upon his feet, and make Orations, and give advice for things to come.

I CHRON. XXII. from vers. 6. to the end. And XXIII. vers. 1.

THE juncture of the Story here lieth plain and easie; David having cau∣sed Solomon to be anointed, because of the ambition of Adonijah, and that conspiracy being broken, he first giveth him in charge, the building of the House of the Lord, as the first thing to be looked after; And thus when David was old and full of days, he made solomon King, as is related in 1 King. 1. and so the first verse of 1 Chron. 23. and that Story doth speak but one and the same thing.

I CHRON. XXIII. from Verse 2. to end. And XXIV. XXV.

DAVID having that emergent occasion by Adonijahs Conspiracy, to anoint Salomon hastily and privately: When he hath so done it, he in∣tendeth [World 2989] [David 40] a more solemn and publick Coronation of him, and therefore he cal∣leth together all the Heads and Rulers of the people about it. And as at the first platforming of the people of Israel into a Commonwealth in the Wilder∣ness, they are numbred; the Levites appointed for Divine Service, and the San∣ctuary framed; much like doth David here: The Levites are numbred, and di∣stributed into their several offices and services, and the Priests into their courses, &c.