I Kings 1
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Commentaries
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Now King David was old - He was probably now about sixty-nine years of age. He was thirty years old when he began to reign, reigned forty, and died in the seventieth year of his age, Sa2 5:4, and Kg1 2:11; and the transactions mentioned here are supposed to have taken place about a year before his death. But he gat no heat - Sixty-nine was not an advanced age; but David had been exhausted with various fatigues, and especially by family afflictions, so that he was much older in constitution than he was in years. Besides he seems to have labored under some wasting maladies, to which there is frequent reference in the Psalms.
Open source ↗ABISHAG CHERISHES DAVID IN HIS EXTREME AGE. (Kg1 1:1-4) Now king David was old--He was in the seventieth year of his age (Sa2 5:4-5). But the wear and tear of a military life, bodily fatigue, and mental care, had prematurely, if we may say it, exhausted the energies of David's strong constitution (Sa1 16:12). In modern Palestine and Egypt the people, owing to the heat of the climate, sleep each in a "separate" bed. They only depart from this practice for medical reasons (Ecc 4:11). The expedient recommended by David's physicians is the regimen still prescribed in similar cases in the East, particularly among the Arab population, not simply to give heat, but "to cherish," as they are aware that the inhalation of young breath will give new life and vigor to the worn-out frame. The fact of the health of the young and healthier person being, as it were, stolen to support that of the more aged and sickly is well established among the medical faculty. And hence the prescription for the aged king was made in a hygienic point of view for the prolongation of his valuable life, and not merely for the comfort to be derived from the natural warmth imparted to his withered frame [PORTER, Tent and Khan]. The polygamy of the age and country may account for the introduction of this practice; and it is evident that Abishag was made a concubine or secondary wife to David (see on Kg1 2:22).
Open source ↗Now King David was old, and stricken in years,.... Was seventy years of age; for he was thirty years of age when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years, Sa2 5:4; this was just the age of man, Psa 90:10; and they covered him with clothes; not wearing apparel, but bed clothes; he seems to have been bedridden and paralytic: but he got no heat; by them; having no natural heat in him, clothes could not communicate any to him, only keep the cold from him, see Hag 1:6; there are many persons at the age he was, that are lively, healthful, and robust, comparatively speaking at least; but David's strength was impaired, and his natural force abated by his many wars, fatigues by night and day in campaigns, and the many sorrows and afflictions he met with from his family and his friends, as well as enemies; which exhausted his natural moisture, weakened his nerves, and drank up his spirits, and brought upon him the infirmities of a decrepit old age very soon.
Open source ↗When king David had become so old that they could no longer warm him by covering him with clothes, his servants advised him to increase his vitality by lying with a young and robust virgin, and selected the beautiful Abishag of Shunem to perform this service. This circumstance, which is a trivial one in itself, is only mentioned on account of what follows - first, because it shows that David had become too weak from age, and too destitute of energy, to be able to carry on the government any longer; and, secondly, because Adonijah the pretender afterwards forfeited his life through asking for Abishag in marriage. - The opening of our book, והמּלך (and the King), may be explained from the fact that the account which follows has been taken from a writing containing the earlier history of David, and that the author of these books retained the Vav cop. which he found there, for the purpose of showing at the outset that his work was a continuation of the books of Samuel. בּיּמים בּא זקן as in Jos 13:1; Jos 23:1; Gen 24:1, etc. "They covered him with clothes, and he did not get warm." It follows from this that the king was bedridden, or at least that when lying down he could no longer be kept warm with bed-clothes. בּגדים does not mean clothes to wear here, but large cloths, which were used as bed-clothes, as in Sa1 19:13 and Num 4:6. יחם is used impersonally, and derived from חמם, cf. Ewald, 193, b., and 138, b. As David was then in his seventieth year, this decrepitude was not the natural result of extreme old age, but the consequence of a sickly constitution, arising out of the hardships which he had endured in his agitated and restless life. The proposal of his servants, to restore the vital warmth which he had lost by bringing a virgin to lie with him, is recommended as a…
Open source ↗David, as recorded in the foregoing chapter, had, by the great mercy of God, escaped the sword of the destroying angel. But our deliverances from or through diseases and dangers are but reprieves; if the candle be not blown out, it will burn out of itself. We have David here sinking under the infirmities of old age, and brought by them to the gates of the grave. He that cometh up out of the pit shall fall into the snare; and, one way or other, we must needs die. 1. It would have troubled one to see David so infirm. He as old, and his natural heat so wasted that no clothes could keep him warm, Kg1 1:1. David had been a valiant active man and a man of business, and very vehement had the flame always been in his breast; and yet now his blood is chilled and stagnated, he is confined to his bed, and there can get no heat. He was now seventy years old. Many, at that age, are as lively and fit for business as ever; but David was now chastised for his former sins, especially that in the matter of Uriah, and felt from his former toils and the hardships he had gone through in his youth, which then he made nothing of, but was now the worse for. Let not the strong man glory in his strength, which may soon be weakened by sickness, or at last will be weakened by old age. Let young people remember their Creator in the days of their youth, before these evil days come. What our hand finds to do for God, and our souls, and our generation, let us do with all our might, because the night comes, the night of old age, in which no man can work; and, when our strength has gone, it will be a comfort to remember that we used it well. 2. It would have troubled one to see his physicians so weak and unskilful that they knew no other way of relieving him than by outward applications. No cordials, no…
Open source ↗1:1–2:12 The book of 1 Kings opens by emphasizing the continuity of the Lord’s covenant with David (see 2 Sam 7:11-16). Solomon was the legitimate and divinely chosen heir to what God had granted his father David. The challenges to Solomon’s succession to the throne (1 Kgs 1:1–2:46) foreshadowed challenges to his kingship at the end of his reign (11:1-43) and the continuing struggles between Israel and Judah thereafter. 1:1-3 At seventy years of age (2 Sam 5:4-5), David was feeble, perhaps because of years of warfare and stress. He needed a young person to impart warmth, a medical remedy also described in Josephus’s Antiquities and by the Greek physician Galen. David’s diminishing powers encouraged Adonijah’s attempts to take the throne.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse זָקֵן (zâqên, H2204) — to be old בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage יָחַם (yâcham, H3179) — probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נַעֲרָה (naʻărâh, H5291) — a girl (from infancy to adolescence) בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûwlâh, H1330) — a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… סָכַן (çâkan, H5532) — to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) חֵיק (chêyq, H2436) — the bosom (literally or figuratively) חָמַם (châmam, H2552) — to be hot (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) נַעֲרָה (naʻărâh, H5291) — a girl (from infancy to adolescence) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אֲבִישַׁג (ʼĂbîyshag, H49) — Abishag, a concubine of David שׁוּנַמִּית (Shûwnammîyth, H7767) — a Shunammitess, or female inhabitant of Shunem בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗נַעֲרָה (naʻărâh, H5291) — a girl (from infancy to adolescence) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) סָכַן (çâkan, H5532) — to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗אֲדֹנִיָּה (ʼĂdônîyâh, H138) — Adonijah, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חַגִּית (Chaggîyth, H2294) — Chaggith, a wife of David מִתְנַשֵּׂא (mithnassêʼ, H4984) — (used as abstractly) supreme exaltation אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by… חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עָצַב (ʻâtsab, H6087) — properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… תֹּאַר (tôʼar, H8389) — outline, i.e. figure or appearance יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (ʼĂbîyshâlôwm, H53) — Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צְרוּיָה (Tsᵉrûwyâh, H6870) — Tserujah, an Israelitess אֶבְיָתָר (ʼEbyâthâr, H54) — Ebjathar, an Israelite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֲדֹנִיָּה (ʼĂdônîyâh, H138) — Adonijah, the name of three Israelites עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid
Open source ↗צָדוֹק (Tsâdôwq, H6659) — Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… בְּנָיָה (Bᵉnâyâh, H1141) — Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוֹיָדָע (Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ, H3077) — Jehojada, the name of three Israelites נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites רֵעִי (Rêʻîy, H7472) — Rei, an Israelite גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֲדֹנִיָּה (ʼĂdônîyâh, H138) — Adonijah, the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗אֲדֹנִיָּה (ʼĂdônîyâh, H138) — Adonijah, the name of three Israelites זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… מְרִיא (mᵉrîyʼ, H4806) — stall-fed; often (as noun) a beeve אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone זֹחֶלֶת (Zôcheleth, H2120) — Zocheleth, a boundary stone in. Palestine אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681) — a side; (as a preposition) near עֵין רֹגֵל (ʻÊyn Rôgêl, H5883) — En-Rogel, a place near Jerusalem קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively)
Open source ↗נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man בְּנָיָה (Bᵉnâyâh, H1141) — Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of…
Open source ↗נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בַּת־שֶׁבַע (Bath-Shebaʻ, H1339) — Bath-Sheba, the mother of Solomon אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אֲדֹנִיָּה (ʼĂdônîyâh, H138) — Adonijah, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חַגִּית (Chaggîyth, H2294) — Chaggith, a wife of David מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence מָלַט (mâlaṭ, H4422) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness);… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אָמָה (ʼâmâh, H519) — a maidservant or female slave כִּי (kîy, H3588) — (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗Cross-references
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When David was old and full of years, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel.
The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong— yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.