A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

1 Kings CHAP. II.

COntains the expiration of David's Kingdom, and the Initiation of Solomon's.

N. B. Which two Kingdoms were a most lively resemblance and representa∣tion of the two Churches, Militant on Earth, and Triumphant in Heaven. David's King∣dom was a Kingdom full of Wars, and abounding with many troubles and much per∣secution, wherein it was a figure of the Church Militant: But in Solomon's Reign the Kingdom of Israel came to its 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or highest ascension, being accomplished with both the sublimest Civil Peace, and most Religious Felicity in Temple-Worship, wherein it represented the Glory of the Church Triumphant.

Thus Benaiah had prayed [The Lord make Solomon's Throne greater than the Throne of David] Chap. 1. v. 37. and God heard his Prayer, and said [Amen] to it, and set his [Fiat] upon it, let it be so.

This Second Chapter consists of two General Parts, the first is, in Removendo prohi∣bentia, the taking away of those turbulent persons that opposed Solomon's Kingdom: and the second is, in applicando adjutoria, the applying of those means that might esta∣blish Solomon upon his Throne; this follows as the fruit of that.

In the First Part, we find Solomon's removal of four impediments, namely, Adonijah, Abiathar, Joab, and Shimei, who were all four as Rubs and Remora's in his way to the Throne.

Remarks upon his removing the first Remora, to wit, Adonijah.

The First is, The foundation that Dying David laid in his Son Solomon for the remo∣ving of all obstructions to his Reign in the General; and this David did in his Admo∣nition to his Son, v. 1, to v. 9. wherein,

Mark First, David's Days drew night that he should dye. A day is one of the shortest dates of time, but long enough to decipher Man's Life by, which is call'd but a Day, then the Night of Death succeeds it.

Mark Secondly, Grace like good Liquor ran fresh to the bottom in David's Divine Soul, and had most lively actings in him, when Nature was much decayed and almost dead [going the way of all the Earth] Heb. 9.27.

Mark Thirdly, The words of Dying Men are Living Oracles: Therefore hath this Ar∣gument been oft used in Scripture-Record [these last words of mine let them sink into your Souls] as the Patriarch Jacob, Gen. 48.21. and General Joshua, Josh. 23.14. and the Apostle Peter, 2 Pet. 1.13. So David did to his Son, [behold I am a dying Man, &c.]

Mark Fourthly, David when dying Admonishes his Son Solomon to make up his want of Age (being then but twelve years old) with manly prudence and fortitude, as 1 Cor. 14.20. and do not praevaricate either through fear, favour, or flattery, v. 2, 3, 4. [do thou live by God's Law] Deut. 17, 18. which pure and perfect Rule he propo∣sed to his Son (saith Peter Martyr) rather than his own example, because himself had grosly failed, assuring him, that true piety would be his best policy, and that if he would be but careful to keep the Condition, God would surely perform his promise, &c.

N. B. Notandum duo fuisse Davidi promissa, &c. saith Peter Martyr here, God made two Promises to David, 2 Sam. 7.12.

First, Absolutely, That the Messiah should surely spring from him, tho' his Sons might prove bad: and the

Second is Conditional; to wit, that the Kingdom of God would keep in his Family, pro∣vided his posterity would prove truly pious; and David therefore cautions his Son,

that Kings have many temptations from Parasites perswading them that they are above law, and may live as they 〈◊〉〈◊〉, &c. Therefore presseth him to keep God's Law as the Condition of the Covenant.

The Second Remark is, This Holy Admonition of Dying David did stick fast in Solomon's Soul, until his declining Age, and put him presently upon couragious Ex∣ploits, when David was dead and gone, Solomon laid aside all childish Dispositions, and began to Act like a Man at full Maturity, with manly Courage against Adonijah, from ver. 13, to ver. 25. Wherein Mark

(1.) Adonijah's Ambition was restless, He desires to Marry Abishag, the last Wife of the late King, 'tis supposed, Joab and Abiathar, advised this Ambitionist to attempt it, that by her, he might have another pull for the Kingdom, as ver. 22.

Mark (2.) Those two Arch-Rebels Counsel Adonijah to make his Application to Bathsheba, knowing that a Woman is prone to Pity, easylier deceived, and prevalent with Men; Bathsheba was startled at his appearance, and well she might be so, as knowing him a discontented Rebel, and her self the chief Instrument that had suppressed his late Rebellion: Yet He professing Peace to her, she gave him Audience, as well as Ad∣mission and Entrance, ver. 13, 14.

Mark (3.) Adonijah's Harangue to her, was [Though the Kingdom was mine by right of Succession, as the Eldest Son now alive, Chap. 1.6. and chosen by the People too, ver. 25. but finding that it was thy Son's from the Lord, though I did foolishly dash against that Decree, in saying I will be King, yet now can I be content to want it, so I may but have Abishag for my Wife, and seeing I know a Mother may do much with a Son, I pray thee prevail with the King to grant it, ver. 15, 16, 17.]

Mark (4.) Bathsheba, though a Wise Woman, the Grand-Daughter of Achitophel (as above) was wheadled into a compliance with his plausible pretences: This Story of his Love to Abishag (saith Grotius) did too easily captivate this Wise Woman's Judge∣ment: This Love-Tale so blinded her womanly Wit, that she could not discern this Am∣bitionist's drift and design, namely to supplant her Son Solomon out of the Throne, hence was she too facile and forward to gratifie him, ver. 17, 18.

Mark (5.) She Addresses to the King, who received her with the due Veneration of a Son to a Mother, bowing to Her, and placing Her on a Throne upon his Right Hand, then she told her Son, He must needs grant her a small Petition, &c. so she call'd it, not smelling the Rat, though it was contrary to the Law, Lev. 18.7. yet she might think it practicable, because David had not known her, so she begs for him, ver. 19, 20, 21.

Mark (6.) Sagacious Solomon, saw the Depth of the Design, and that the Hand of Joab was in the Plot, yea, and of Abiathar also, even at the very first prospect of the Proposal, which made him turn so short upon his Mother (to whom he had dutiful∣ly promised [I will not say thee nay] in any reasonable Request, &c.) But this Request Solomon (in his prodigious Prudence God had given Him) saw through this Project, that it was not so much for Abishag, as for the Kingdom, and therefore saith [Ask for him the Kingdom also] ver. 22. for that is it he gapeth after, and to patch his crack'd Title to the Crown, He would marry the late King's Concubine, (as 2 Sam. 3.7. and 12.8. and 16.21.) who was probably now grown Gracious with the great ones at Court, &c. ver. 22, 23.

The Third Remark is, Solomon being now satisfied, that a new Conspiracy was in Hatching by Adonijah, Abiathar and Joab, against Him; falls immediately upon a vi∣gorous Prosecution of the Plotting Conspirators. Whether be saw this new Villany in its Embryo, by any secret Instinct of God's Spirit (as some suppose) or by Informati∣on of Prudent and Faithful Friends, is uncertain. However He takes this for an Indi∣cation, and the first overt-Act of Treason against him, ver. 24, 25. Solomon having par∣don'd his former palpable Treason only upon his good Behaviour, Chap. 1.52. And now this new over presumptuous Act, reviving his former Guilt, he is that Day executed, because delaies be dangerous.

The Fourth Remark is, Abiathar's Punishment by Death for his High Treason, is mitigated and remitted into a bare Banishment, ver. 26, 27. His Crime had been pub∣lick and open before in conspiring with Adonijah, Chap. 1.7, 9. And now again, he had been dabbling Elbow-deep in a new Conspiracy, as Wise Solomon well perceived, ver. 22. here, therefore was He judged, and not without a double desert and demerit (saith Peter Martyr) Solomon first deposeth him from his Office of High Priesthood, and then banish'd him from Jerusalem (where the High-Priest was always resident,

both as Chief of the Sanhedrim, Ruler over the Priests, and a Counsellour to the King) unto his Field in Anathoth, Josh. 21.18. There to lead a Private ••••fe.

N. B. (1.) With Peter Martyr, in sacred History we never Read, that High-Priests did depose Kings (as the High-Priest of Rome hath often done) but that Kings have de∣posed High-Priests as here; and Grotius saith the same, and that they are but Subjects and stand when the King sits.

N. B. (2.) Mercy ought to be mingled with Justice, where any Merit may be for∣merly found: Thus Solomon mitigateth Abiathar's Punishment, who in rigour of Law was no better than a dead Man, as well as Adonijah and Joab here, but Solomon to re∣quite his former kindness to his Father David (both in bearing the Ark before him, 2 Sam. 15.24, 29. 1 Chron. 15.11, 12. And in being a Fellow-sufferer with him, 1 Sam. 22.20.) only banishes him, to teach Princes not to write Injuries in Marble, and Benefits in Sand or Water, &c.

N. B. (3.) The Scripture cannot be broken, John 20.35. But must be fulfilled, Matth. 26.54. Luk. 24.44. So God's threatning against the House of Eli, 1 Sam. 2.31, 35. was here accomplished, namely, the Translation of the High Priesthood from the Line of Itha∣mar in E••i and Abiathar, to the Line of Eleazar in Zadok: Ambrose saith, Deus tardi∣tatem supplicij gravitate compensat: Though Divine Vengeance seems sometimes to come slow with leaden feet, yet is it always sure, and comes to strike with its Iron hands, which drench deep were they fall. This Doom had lain dormant for eighty Years, betwixt Eli and Abiathar, who must be now punish'd for his Treason, and so accom∣plish that Divine Doom, &c.

The Fifth Remark is, Solomon's removing of Joab out of his way with more rigour of Justice, ver. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.

Mark (1.) David had caution'd Solomon particularly against Joab, ver. 5, 6. com∣plaining what he had done against David, either directly in his over Insolent and Im∣perious Carriage, trampling upon the King's commands, when they comply'd not with his Humour or Interest, who hath oft provok'd me to Passion, 2 Sam. 3.39. and 19.7, &c. or Indirectly done to me, in his basely Butchering Abner and Amasa, to both which I had given my publick Faith for their Security, and that when they were about a Trea∣ty of Peace with all the Tribes, &c. Therefore I refer him under this black Brand to thy Wisdom, though he hath been my General this forty Years, yet let him not Dye a natural Death.

N. B. Some Rabbins say, Joab had discover'd Ʋriah's Letters to David's great Dis∣grace, and therefore could never be reconciled to Him, for disclosing his Secrets a∣bout contriving Ʋriah's Death: But 'tis more probable, that his putting Absalom to Death still stuck in his Stomach.

Mark (2.) Joab hearing of the Execution of Adonijah, and of the Expulsion of Abia∣thar, two of his fellow Arch-Rebels, He being the Third, and the worst too, both as be∣ing so stigmatiz'd and branded by David to his Son (whereof He might have some no∣tice) whereas Adonijah (now executed) had not been so infamously Characterized as himself was, and also as being look'd upon by Solomon with a Squint eye, because Joab had despised him, and held him unworthy to Reign, not only for his scandalous Birth, but also for his Childish Youth, therefore despairing of any Mercy, He ran to the Horns of the Altar, ver. 28. that they might push away all Executioners of Justice from him, and that sacred place might save him, as it had done Adonijah, Chap. 1.50.

N. B. Christ seems to blame Pilate for killing the Galileans at the Altar, Luk. 13.1, 2. And the Jews for slaying Zacharias there, Matth. 23.35.

Mark (3.) Solomon sends Benaiah to call him thence, Joab disobeys the King's com∣mand, hoping that the King would not dare to pollute that Holy Place with his Blood; but his Hope, being that of an Hypocrite, was no better than the giving up of the Ghost, Job 11.20. which is but Cold Comfort. He resolves to dye there, hoping also it might be some advantage to his Soul, but wilful Murtherers (such as he had been) must have no Mercy shewn them by God's Law, Exod. 21.14.

Mark (4.) 'Tis supposed that Joab was haled by force from the Horns of the Altar, according to the Direction of that Law of God, Exod. 21.14. and then slain, both as a pattern to all wilful Murderers not to expect Protection any where, and also to ex∣piate the Blood of Abner and Amasa from David, who was Innocent of it. Joab dies for it, and is buried, and Benaiah put in his place, ver. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.

The Sixth Remark is, Solomon's confining of Shimei, ver. 36, to 40.

Mark (1.) David's Caution to his Son concerning him, ver. 8.9. was not out of

any Rancorous or revengeful Spirit, wherewith David as a private Person durst not Dye; and from which canker'd frame, many Passages in David's Psalms, and in the History of his Life, do demonstrate his Freedom.

N. B. But this Charge he gave as a publick Magistrate, to maintain the Honour and Order of Civil Government: This Cursing Shimei had Cursed the King with bitter Curses, 2 Sam. 16.7, 8, &c. For which Abishai would have slain him once and again, and though David then patiently submitted to it, as sent of God, and afterwards par∣don'd it for his Part, 2 Sam. 19.21, 23. Yet leaves it to Solomon's Wisdom to Judge of this Publick malicious Fault, and to punish him for it at his committing future Of∣fences. This Advice was not contrary to David's Oath, for then there had been no need of Solomon's Wisdom to find out an occasion for the Future, to which his turbu∣lent Spirit will expose him, to be paid home for the new and old together.

Mark (2.) Solomon confines Him to Jerusalem at distance from his own Countrey and Kindred, amongst whom he might have rais'd some Tumults against the Govern∣ment, He must not stir out of the City, neither Eastward to Baburim (his old Habi∣tation) nor Westward to Gath, no way so far distant as the Brook Kidron is from Je∣rusalem, if he did he was a dead Man, ver. 36, 37.

N. B. How happy would Abiathar have thought himself in Shimei's Confinement, of whom for his Function's sake, and his sufferings with David, we read not, that any doleful Catastrophe attended him, as did all his Fellow-Criminals. Thus the Lord cha∣stizes his own Children, that they might not be condemned with the World, 1 Cor. 11.31. But this Cursing cursed Shimei must not be trusted any farther than he may be seen, He is kept within compass here, close confined.

N. B. Oh that we could learn to deal so with our own deceitful Hearts, and despe∣rately Wicked, Jer. 17.9. He that trusts his own Heart is a Fool, Prov. 28.26.

Mark (3:) This Confinement Shimei thankfully owned when imposed upon him, as a Favour far more than he either expected or deserved, and therefore promised up∣on Oath to perform it, ver. 38, 39, 42, 43. (where Solomon chargeth him with break∣ing his Oath) his false Heart praised this Law for it's Lenity, and promised Obedi∣ence without any Hesitancy, yea and perform'd it likewise without failure for three Years together, ver. 39. but then he broke the bonds of his Promise and Oath, and out∣run the bounds of his Confinement: The occasion was, [two of Shimei's Servants ran from him to Gath.]

N. B. Achish (in requital of old kindness to David, 1 Sam. Chap. 27, and 28.) Though Tributary now to Israel, was allowed to retain the Title of King, yet durst not detain Shimei's Servants, that fled to him for Protection.

Mark (4.) Now was the time that Divine Vengeance surely found out Shimei's Sin, and his Sin him, as Numb. 32.23. Shimei is left of God to his own Folly and foul har∣diness, to attempt this most highly dangerous, and desperate Journey from Jerusalem, to fetch back his Servants, being blinded both with the Dust of Avarice, and with Rage against them, and withal Hoping, that either he might go with that Secrecy, as it might never reach Solomon's Ears, or that the length of three Years time had worn out his Confinement out of Solomon's Mind and Memory: Or at the worst Solomon would not be so severe upon him, in a Case of such necessity, altogether without contempt of his Authority, so he ventures to Saddle his Ass, &c. ver. 40.

Mark (5.) Now a deceiving, and a deceived Heart turned Shimei aside, Isa. 44.20. The Pride of his Heart deceived him, Obad. ver. 3. and both He and it started aside like a deceitful bow, Psal. 78.57. both David by his discerning Spirit, and Solomon by his Sapience, did easily foresee, that though Shimei had been spared by the Father, and now was reprieved by the Son (and not immediately Executed, as Adonijah and Joab were) yet if any strict restraint were imposed upon him by Royal Authority, his restless and irreligious Spirit, could not contain it self long within Compass: And now when a Temptation met kindly with his Corruption, to draw it forth (the Prevention of which Augustine thanks God for in his own behalf) then did Shimei break the Bridle wherewith Solomon had restrain'd him.

The Seventh Remark is, The Execution of Shimei, for breaking the Covenant of his Confinement by King Solomon, ver. 40, to 45.

Mark (1.) Shimei had Judg'd Solomon's Clemency to be most generous towards him, in not slaying him outright with Joab and Adonijah, but only in confining so great a Criminal to the chief City of the Land (wherein many Countrey Gentlemen are ambiti∣ous to inhabit) and not to be doomed to any close Imprisonment in Jerusalem; but on∣ly

not to pass over the Brook Kidron, which was about a Mile from the City: So Shimei had both Liberty and space enough to walk abroad for his Health and Recrea∣tion: Yet all this cannot content him, when two of his Servants (who likely had agreed in some Evil) ran from him to Gath, being probably Philistines, &c.

Mark (2.) Some informed Shimei, that his Servants were seen in Gath, if this was told him for recovering them again, then was it from good Will; but if to ensnare Shimei in the breach of his Oath, then was it ill Will and Envy. However this iufatu∣ted Ass, ventures upon his Ass for speed, will get his Servants, though he lose his Life.

N. B. Worldling's cry out of this Folly, yet imitate it: Worldly things are Men's Ser∣vants by God's appointment, Psal. 8.6. They oft run from man, he breaks the bounds (set him by God's Law) commonly to catch them again, though he perish for it for ever.

Mark (3.) As Shimei heard of his Servants and caught them, so Solomon heard of what Shimei had done, and calls him: Kings have long Ears, and more Eyes than their own: Possibly Solomon (saith Peter Martyr) set a watch over Shimei, privily and un∣discern'd: Upon this Information Shimei is summoned, ver. 41, 42. Solomon, like a wise and a just Judge, expostulates the Case with him, convinces him of his Sin to make him repent (saith Peter Martyr) by three Arguments, (1.) His Guilt of Per∣jury to God. (2.) His Rebellion against the King's Command: Which himself had confess'd to be merciful. And (3.) An Appeal to his own Conscience, whether he now justly did not deserve Death, when the Lord returns thy old wickedness to Da∣vid upon thine own Head by suffering thee to fall into farther Crimes, ver. 43, 44. Shimei has not a Word to say for himself, &c.

Mark (4.) Shimei is led out of the King's Presence to the place of Execution, and there Executed: So Solomon like a Pious Son, was as zealous against Injuries done to his Father as to himself, and accomplish'd his Father's charge, ver. 9.

This brings in the Second Part only touch'd upon in the General, namely, the esta∣blishment of Solomon by his Execution of Justice upon the contrary Faction: So far was he, from fearing a curse for so doing, he expects it to bring in a Blessing, ver. 45, 46. and ver. 12. the Particulars hereof follow in the following Chapters.