Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. II.

Vers. 2. BE thou strong therefore, and shew thy self a man.] That is, though thou art young and of tender years (at least in respect of so great a charge as thou art now to take upon thee) yet let thy carriage be man-like, and such as may manifest a prince-like spirit; and this he speaks of spirituall fortitude and magnani∣mity; for indeed nothing more argues a truely valiant and courageous spirit, then when a man, a Prince especially, can constantly proceed in the wayes of holinesse

and righteousnesse, and not be drawn aside either by flattery or fear. As for Solo∣mons age when he was anointed king: see the note, chap. 3.7.

Vers. 5. Thou knowest also what Joab the sonne of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains, &c.] It is hard to say what this is which David here in∣tends that Joab did him; some think it is meant of his killing Absalom, when he had given a charge to the contrary; others understand it of some other action of disloyalty towards David, which is not expressed in the Scripture: but more pro∣bable it is, either that it is meant of Joabs insolency towards him in generall, of which he often complained, as 2. Sam. 3.39. And I am this day weak though an∣ointed king, and these men the sonnes of Zeruiah be too hard for me; or else of that which here followeth, his treacherous killing Abner and Amasa, wherein Da∣vid professeth himself to have been much wronged; first, because good Princes look upon the injuries done to their subjects, as done to themselves (and so doth Christ, Acts 9.9. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?) secondly, because David had engaged his faith, both to Abner and Amasa, that they should be safe, so that it redounded much to his disho∣nour, when they were afterward so treacherously slain; it was enough to make the people think that he had secretly a hand in it: however, these things he alledgeth here against Joab, both to shew how justly Solomon might put him to death, though he had spared him, as also to imply how dangerous it was for Solomon to let him live: how il-affected he was towards him, was evident by his conspiracy with Adoni∣jah; and what mischief might not be feared from him, that had his hands already so fouly embrued in bloud? now to aggravate his murthering of these two captains, he saith, first that he shed the bloud of warre in peace, that is, when there was peace made with them he slew them, as if they had been in open hostility against David, and secondly, that he put the bloud of warre upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet, to wit, when embracing them he stabbed them with the sword that hung at his girdle, and so they fell down dead at his feet; and this expression I conceive is used in describing these his impious facts, either to set forth the base perfidious manner of his murthering them, to wit, that stabbing them, when he pretended to embrace them, their bloud by that means gushed out upon his girdle, and ranne down upon his shoes; or else his boldnesse and impuden∣cie, in that he was not ashamed thus treacherously to slain himself with the bloud of these men, but did rather glory in it, going up and down with their bloud upon his girdle, or upon his sword hanging at his girdle, which he had put up all bloudy in∣to the scabbard, and so also on the shoes he wore stained with their bloud.

Vers. 6. Do therefore according to thy wisdome, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.] As if he should have said, be sure to cut him off, and let the bloud of Abner and Amasa be returned into his own bosome; for the time and occasion of doing this, that must be left to thine own wisdome, wherein do as thou feest cause; a man he is of a turbulent spirit, and will soon, some way or other give the occasion enough to take away his life, and therefore observe him wisely, and take the occasion as it shall be offered to thee, onely be sure it be done some time or other: let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace; where also he menti∣ons his hoar head, to intimate that he would not have him spared for his old age;

lest Solomon should think, alas he hath not long to live by the ordinary course of nature; let him alone, and within a while he will die of himself, and then the world will be rid of him; to prevent this David expresseth his charge thus, that his hoar head must not go down to the grave in peace: but why did not David cut off Joab himself, but put it now upon his sonne Solomon? I answer, first, because Joab had alwayes been faithfull to David, whereas he had already shown his ill will to Solo∣mon, by siding with Adonijah against him, and therefore it was now more dan∣gerous to let him live: secondly, David could never so well do it, as now Solomon might; in his younger years Joab had more power and esteem amongst the souldi∣ery of the kingdome, whose generall he was, then he had now in his old age, especi∣ally since he had lost his credit so much amongst them, by conspiring with Adonijah against his bedrid father; and besides, David being continually encumbred with warres, was thereby constrained to comply with Joab in regard of his great autho∣ritie and power amongst the souldiers, which Solomon in regard of the peaceable∣nesse of his reigne, of which God had assured David, would have no need to do; and therefore though David durst not proceed against him, the sonnes of Zeruiah, saith he, be too hard for me, 2 Sam. 3.39. yet Solomon might safely enough doe it: and thirdly, though David failed in sparing Ioab, yet now at his death he repented him of it, and so enjoyned his sonne to do that which he had neglected to do.

Vers. 7. For so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy Brother.] This word [so] hath reference to that he said before, let them be of those that eat at thy table; it is as if he had said, they shewed me the very same kindnesse which I desire thou shouldest shew to them; they brought for me and my followers when I was in distresse, and therefore it is no lesse then just, that thou shouldest alwayes bid them welcome to thy table.

Vers. 8. Thou hast with thee Shimei the sonne of Gera a Benjamite of Bahu∣rim, which cursed me with a grievous curse, &c.] David calls the reviling and the reprochfull speeches of Shimei against him, a grievous curse; first, because he called him a bloudie man, and did in effect say that he had been the cause of the death of Saul and all his sonnes; and to him that knew what a grievous sinne bloudshed was, and that was deeply at that time wounded for shedding the bloud of Uriah and others, though he were innocent in regard of that he charged him with concerning Saul and his sonnes, it must needs be very greivous to have such an aspersion cast upon him: secondly, because he called him a man of Belial, an ungracious wretch, that had no fear of God in him; and to a man of so tender a conscience as David was, how bitter must this needs be? and thirdly, because he upbraided him with the rebellion of his sonne Absalom, as the just curse and vengeance of God upon him, for the wrong he had done to Saul his father-in-law, then which, nothing could pos∣sibly wound his heart more deeply, 2. Sam. 16.7, 8. Come out, come out, then bloudy man, thou man of Belial, the Lord hath returned upon thee all the bloud of the house of Saul, &c. Now however afterwards this Shimei came and fauned up∣on David, yet considering how bitterly he had vented his spleen against David in the time of his distresse, he was exceeding jealous, lest encouraged by the youth of his sonne, he should attempt any thing against him after his decease, and therefore gave astrict charge to Solomon to watch over him narrowly, and to take some occasion to cut him off.

Vers. 9. But his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with bloud.] How this order which he gave to Solomon to bring down his hoar head with bloud to the grave, agreeth with that oath of his to Shimei, 2, Sam. 19.23. see there.

Vers. 10. So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the citie of Da∣vid.] In 1, Chron. 29.28. it is said, that he died in a good old age, full of dayes, riches and honour; here the place of his buriall is named, to wit, that it was in the citie of David, that is, in that part of Jerusalem where he dwelt and kept his court, and which he had first taken out of the hands of the Jebusites, which was thence cal∣led the citie of David: even the place of his buriall was an honour to him, and it seems his sepulchre was strangely preserved, notwithstanding Jerusalem was so oft sacked and burnt, for it continued unto the Apostles times, as the Apostle Peter no∣ted, Acts 2.29. Men and Brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the Patriach David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

Vers. 13. And she said, Comest thou peaceably?] She might easily suspect that Adonijah did even swell with envy against Solomon, and against her too, because by her means his conspiracy was defeated, and therefore when she saw him come in to her, she was jealous presently of some plot he had against her, and her sonne, and thence enquired whether he came peaceably or no.

Vers. 15. And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdome was mine, and that all Israel set their faces upon me, &c.] That is, in regard that I was king, and in a fair way to have had the kingdome settled upon me, by the favour of the people, who looked upon me as my fathers eldest sonne, though I be now but a private sub∣ject (and content to be so, since it was of God that my brother Solomon should reigne) I hope you will be willing to afford me what honour a subject may be capable of, and will not deny me any reasonable request that I shall make to you: how farre Adonijah was from being really convinced that it was of God that Solo∣mon was king, or from a quiet submission to the good providence of God therein, is evident by the plot he had now in hand to get Abishag to wife, that so he might wrest the kingdome from Solomon; onely to hide his drift in desiring Abishag to wife, he would seem to be fully satisfied, concerning Solomons being king, the king∣dome is turned about, and is become my brothers, for it was his from the Lord, and onely to desire, that by considering what great hopes he was fallen from, she would compassionate his condition, and be the readier to gratifie him in any thing a sub∣ject might lawfully desire.

Vers. 17. Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, &c.] The onely reason al∣ledged here by Adonijah, why he made choice of Bathsheba to get Solomons con∣sent for his marrying Abishag, is the great interest she had in the king her sonne (for, saith he, he will not say thee nay) but yet considering that there were many others that were of power enough to have obtained any reasonable request of the king for him, we may well think that there was another thing that induced him to set her a work in this businesse; namely, the hope of winning her to undertake his petition, & indeed accordingly it came to passe: though Bathsheba were so wise a woman, that her counsel to her sonne is recorded by the spirit of God in the holy Scripture, Prov. 31.1. yet she could not discern his drift, but being gulled with his fair words, and her melting thoughts of compassion towards him, she undertook that suit of his,

whereby he thought to undermine her sonne, and at last to shoulder him out of the throne.

Vers. 21. And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.] Thus she intimates that because he was his brother, forgetting what was past, he should do well to gratifie him in any reasonable request.

Vers. 22. Ask for him the kingdome also (for he is mine elder brother) even for him, and for Abiathar &c.] There is nothing in the text whence we can cer∣tainly conclude, whether Adonijah had a purpose again to wrest the kingdome from Solomon, and had for that cause by the advise of his confederates, Abiathar and Joab, sought to obtain Abishag to wife; yet it may seem probable: first, by the strangenesse of the suite, that he should desire her to wife, who had lain either as his wife or concubine, in the bosome of his own father: secondly, by Solomons severe proceeding against him; for though by an ordinary way of providence he might have suspected that Adonijah had some plot in this suit of his; yet because he did so certainly conclude of it▪ that presently without any more ado he adjudged him to death, this m••kes it most probable that the drift of Adonijah was discovered to So∣lomon by a speciall instinct of the spirit of God: and thirdly, by Joabs flying to the altar upon this, and not before, vers. 28. however it is evident that Solomon took it so to wit, that by the friends Abishag had gotten whilest she lay in his fathers bo∣some, he hoped to increase his faction; and happely also, by marrying a wife of the deceased king to strengthen his crakt title, and that because it was still the successours right to have the deceased kings concubines, 2. Sam. 12.8. And I gave thee thy masters house, and thy masters wives into thy bosome, &c. Ask for him (saith he) the kingdome also, as if he should have said, this is it which he looks after, and with him Joab and Abiathar too; having already the plea of being the elder brother, and Abiathar the high priest, and Joab the Generall on his side, if he could strengthen himself also by this marriage, then he would not fear to shew himself, and to obtain his desire.

Vers. 23. Then king Solomon sware by the Lord.] That his mother might not interpose any further in the businesse.

Vers. 24. As the Lord liveth, which hath established me and set me on the throne, &c.] That is, as surely as the Lord liveth, who hath done this for me, so surely shall Adonijah be put to death, and that this day; there must be no delay in a matter of such danger: though Solomon had beforehand promised his mother to grant her request, yet his intention was therein onely, to grant her any reasonable request, and therefore not thinking that any tie to intangle him for the granting of that which might prove the ruin both of himself and her, in stead of satisfiing her desire, he took on oath that Adonijah should presently be put to death; he had formerly pardoned him onely upon condition of his loyaltie for the time to come, chap, 1.52. which having now forfeited by this second attempt, even for his former conspiracie it was fit he should die. As for the mention that he makes in his oath of Gods establishing him in the throne, that was because his assurance that God had placed him in the throne, was that which encouraged him to proceed thus against Adonijah; he that had set him in the throne, he knew, would stand by him, and defend him herein; but however, here we see still that verified, which Nathan had threatned against Da∣vid, 2. Sam. 12.10. The sword shall never depart from thine house.

Vers. 26. And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, &c.] He banished him from the court, and confined him to his own house in Ana∣thoth (which was a city of the priests, Josh, 21.18.) that he might not hereafter attempt any thing against him.

Vers. 27. So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord: that he might fulfill the word of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Ehiloh.] For by this means, according as God had threatned Eli above four∣score years since, 1. Sam. 2.31.35. the high priesthood was transferred from the posterity of Eli, who was of the stock of Ithamar, to Zadok who was descended of Eleazar. And so also that promise made to Phineas the sonne of Eleazar, was ful∣filled Numb. 25.13. And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the cove∣nant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

Vers. 28. Then tidings came to Joab.] To wit, that Adonijah was slain, and Abiathar put from his place.

For Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom.] This clause is inserted; first, to shew the cause of his fear and danger, his siding with Adonijah: and secondly, to intimate the hand of God in this businesse; for how came it to passe that he that had stuck so faithfully to David in the case of Absalom, should now take part with Adonijah in his usurpation? surely it was, that the bloud of Abner and Amasa might fall upon him.

Vers. 30. And he said, Nay, but I will die here.] This Joab spake doubtlesse, as hoping that by hanging on the altar, he should save his life, and that they would not there put him to death; indeed it is strange that he should so think, considering the Law of God was so expresse, Exod. 21.15. that he that had slain a man wilful∣ly should be taken from the altar, and be put to death; but for this we must know that Joab dreamed not now of being put to death, for his murthering of Abner and Amasa; but onely of his conspiracy with Adonijah, in which case he hoped the altar might be a refuge to him.

Vers. 31. And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, &c.] This Solomon enjoyned, as conceiving that the Lord, who allowed not that the altar should be a shelter to wilfull murderers, would not be displeased that Joab should be slain there, if he could not be drawn thence; yet perhaps Benaiah had before bidden Joab come forth voluntarily out of the tabernacle, and so Solomon gave him here a charge one∣ly to draw him thence by force, and then to slay him; for indeed, the words of the Law are, Exod. 21.14. that he should be taken from the altar and slain; and the same course we see was taken with Athaliah, 2. Kings 11.15. have her forth with∣out the ranges; and him that followeth, kill with the sword: for the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord.

Vers. 32. And the Lord shall return his bloud upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous, and better then he, &c.] This Solomon spake, as judging that their open insurrections were not so bad as his treacherours shedding innocent bloud: as for that clause which he addes, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing of it; very observable it is, how carefull he was to insert this for the honour of his father.

Vers. 36. Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.] Shimei was not suffered to return to Bahurim, to his own countrey, but was confined to Jerusalem, both to prevent all seditious practises he might otherwise have runne into, and also that he might be in Solomons eye, & in the eye of his servants, that if he went away it might be discovered, and so an advantage might be taken against him, which he waited for, as his father had advised him, v. 8.9.

Vers. 37. On the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, &c.] It is evident in the former verse, that he was not to go any way out of Jerusalem; yet here his going over the brook Kidron is particularly expressed, because that was the way to Bahurim, where he formerly dwelt & where his inheritance lay, 2. Sam. 16.5.

Vers. 38. And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good, &c.] And withall it seems he took an oath that he would do as Solomon had said, as we may see, v. 42.43

Vers. 40. And Shimei arose, and sadled his asse, and went to Gath, &c.] Whereby it appears that there was peace at this time betwixt the Israelites and the Philistines. It may justly be wondred at, that Shimei should for the recovery of his two runaway servants, venture to go out of Jerusalem, when he knew that his life lay upon it; but for this we must consider, first, that covetousnesse doth ordinarily so besot men, that it makes them do that which is most unreasonable: secondly, that perhaps he was so transported with passion against his servants, that either he thought not of his dan∣ger, or else, however could not forbear: thirdly, that he might flatter himself with vain hopes, that doing this secretly, it would not be known; it was now three years since this charge was given him, vers. 39. and by this time he might hope that Solo∣mon would not so heedfully mind, what he did at first so strictly command; he had matters of state, of greater importance to intend, and therefore going secretly, and re∣turning speedily, there would be no notice taken of such an outscape as this was: and fourthly, that there was doubtlesse an over-ruling hand of Gods providence in it, that carried him on headlong upon his own ruine, that so he might receive his just reward for his base reviling of David the Lords anointed, in the time of his affliction.

Vers. 46. And the kingdome was established in the hand of Solomon.] For the execution of justice upon offenders doth establish kingdomes; and besides the faction that opposed Solomon was now destroyed.