1Když se přiblížily dny, kdy měl David zemřít, vydal svému synu Šalomounovi příkaz: 2Já jdu cestou všeho pozemského. Posilni se a vzmuž se. 3Zachovávej řád Hospodina, svého Boha, choď po jeho cestách a zachovávej jeho ustanovení, příkazy, nařízení a svědectví, jak je napsáno v Mojžíšově zákoně, abys měl úspěch ve všem, co budeš dělat a kamkoliv se obrátíš, 4a aby Hospodin naplnil své slovo, které ke mně promluvil: Jestliže budou tvoji synové dbát na svou cestu a chodit přede mnou věrně, celým svým srdcem a celou svou duší, nebude ti vyhlazen muž z izraelského trůnu. 5Ty také víš, co mi udělal Jóab, syn Serújin, co udělal dvěma velitelům izraelské armády, Abnérovi, synu Nérovu, a Amasovi, synu Jeterovu: Zabil je a prolil válečnou krev v míru a vložil válečnou krev na pás na svých bedrech a na boty na svých nohách. 6Učiň podle své moudrosti a nenech sestoupit jeho šediny v pokoji do podsvětí. 7Prokaž milosrdenství synům Barzilaje Gileádského, ať jsou mezi těmi, kdo jedí u tvého stolu, protože tak mi byli nablízku, když jsem utíkal před tvým bratrem Abšalómem. 8Hle, je u tebe Šimeí, syn Gérův, Benjamínec z Bachurímu. Ten mě proklínal hroznou kletbou v den, kdy jsem šel do Machanajimu. Pak mi vyšel vstříc k Jordánu a přísahal jsem mu při Hospodinu: Neusmrtím tě mečem. 9Nyní však ho nenech bez trestu. Vždyť jsi moudrý muž a víš, co mu máš udělat: Nech sestoupit jeho šediny do podsvětí v krvi. 10David pak ulehl se svými otci a byl pohřben v Městě Davidově. 11Doba, po kterou David kraloval nad Izraelem, byla čtyřicet let. V Chebrónu kraloval sedm let a v Jeruzalémě kraloval třicet tři let. 12A Šalomoun usedl na trůn svého otce Davida a jeho království se velice upevnilo. 13Potom Adónijáš, syn Chagítin, přišel k Bat-šebě, matce Šalomounově. Zeptala se: Přicházíš v pokoji? Odpověděl: V pokoji. 14Nato pravil: Chtěl bych ti něco říct. Řekla: Mluv. 15Řekl: Ty víš, že mně připadlo kralování, na mě byla zaměřena přízeň celého Izraele, abych kraloval, ale pak se odvrátilo kralování a připadlo mému bratru, protože mu připadlo od Hospodina. 16O jednu věc tě nyní žádám. Neodmítni mě. Řekla mu: Mluv. 17Řekl: Promluv, prosím, s králem Šalomounem, neboť tebe neodmítne. Ať mi dá za ženu Abíšagu Šúnemitskou. 18Bat-šeba řekla: Dobře. Promluvím o tobě s králem. 19Potom šla Bat-šeba ke králi Šalomounovi, aby s ním mluvila o Adónijášovi. Král vstal a šel jí naproti, poklonil se jí a usedl na svůj trůn. Nechal nachystat trůn pro královu matku a ona usedla po jeho pravici. 20Řekla: O jednu malou věc tě žádám. Neodmítni mě. Král jí řekl: Žádej, má matko, neodmítnu tě. 21Řekla: Ať je dána Abíšag Šúnemitská za ženu tvému bratru Adónijášovi. 22Král Šalomoun své matce odpověděl: Proč žádáš Abíšagu Šúnemitskou pro Adónijáše? Žádej pro něj království! Vždyť on je můj bratr, starší nežli já. Pro něho a pro kněze Ebjátara a pro Jóaba, syna Serújina! 23Nato král Šalomoun přísahal při Hospodinu slovy: Tak ať mi učiní Bůh, a ještě přidá, jestliže Adónijáš nevyslovil tuto věc ke své smrti. 24A nyní jakože živ je Hospodin, který mě určil a nechal mě usednout na trůn mého otce Davida a postavil mi dům, jak promluvil, Adónijáš dnes bude usmrcen. 25Pak poslal král Šalomoun Benajáše, syna Jójadova; ten proti němu zasáhl, takže Adonijáš zemřel. 26Knězi Ebjátarovi král řekl: Jdi do Anatótu, na svá pole, neboť jsi hoden smrti, ale dnes tě nedám usmrtit, protože jsi nosil truhlu Panovníka Hospodina před mým otcem Davidem a byl jsi pokořován vším tím, čím byl pokořován můj otec. 27Šalomoun vyhnal Ebjátara, takže nebyl Hospodinovým knězem, aby se naplnilo Hospodinovo slovo, které promluvil o domu Élího v Šílu. 28Když se dostala ta zpráva k Jóabovi (Jóab se totiž postavil za Adónijáše, ačkoliv za Abšalóma se nepostavil), utekl Jóab do Hospodinova stanu a chytil se rohů oltáře. 29Králi Šalomounovi bylo oznámeno, že Jóab utekl do Hospodinova stanu a je u oltáře. Šalomoun poslal Benajáše, syna Jójadova, se slovy: Jdi a zasáhni proti němu. 30Benajáš vešel do Hospodinova stanu a řekl mu: Toto praví král: Odejdi. Odpověděl: Ne. Ať zemřu zde. Benajáš přinesl králi zprávu: Takto promluvil Jóab, toto mi odpověděl. 31Král mu odpověděl: Učiň, jak řekl. Zasáhni proti němu a pohřbi ho. Tak odstraníš ode mě a z domu mého otce bezdůvodně prolitou krev, kterou prolil Jóab. 32Hospodin vrátí na jeho hlavu krev, kterou prolil, když zasáhl proti dvěma mužům spravedlivějším a lepším, nežli je on, a zabil je mečem, aniž by o tom můj otec David věděl — totiž Abnéra, syna Nérova, velitele izraelské armády, a Amasu, syna Jeterova, velitele judské armády. 33Jejich krev ať se vrátí navěky na hlavu Jóabovu a na hlavu jeho potomstva. Ale Davidovi, jeho potomstvu, jeho domu a jeho trůnu ať je navěky pokoj od Hospodina. 34Benajáš, syn Jójadův, šel, zasáhl proti němu a usmrtil ho. Pak byl pohřben ve svém domě v pustině. 35Na jeho místo ustanovil král nad armádou Benajáše, syna Jójadova, a kněze Sádoka král ustanovil namísto Ebjátara. 36Král dal zavolat Šimeího a řekl mu: Postav si v Jeruzalémě dům, pobývej tam a nikam odtud nevycházej. 37I stane se, že v den, kdy vyjdeš a přejdeš přes potok Kidrón, to věz, že jistě zemřeš a tvá krev bude na tvé hlavě. 38Šimeí králi řekl: Dobře jsi promluvil. Jak můj pán a král řekl, tak tvůj otrok učiní. Šimeí pak pobýval v Jeruzalémě po mnoho dní. 39I stalo se po třech letech, že Šimeímu utekli dva otroci k Akíšovi, synu Maakovu, králi Gatu. Šimeímu oznámili: Hle, tvoji otroci jsou v Gatu. 40Šimeí vstal, osedlal svého osla a vydal se do Gatu k Akíšovi hledat své otroky. Pak Šimeí přišel a přivedl z Gatu své otroky. 41Šalomounovi bylo oznámeno, že Šimeí šel z Jeruzaléma do Gatu a vrátil se. 42Král dal zavolat Šimeího a řekl mu: Což jsem tě nezapřísahal při Hospodinu a nevaroval tě slovy: V den, kdy vyjdeš a půjdeš někam, to věz, že jistě zemřeš? Odpověděl jsi mi: Dobře jsi promluvil, uposlechnu. 43Proč jsi nedbal na přísahu Hospodinu a na příkaz, který jsem ti dal? 44Král dále Šimeímu řekl: Ty znáš a svědomí ti dosvědčuje všechno zlo, které jsi spáchal vůči mému otci Davidovi. Hospodin obrátil tvé zlo na tvou hlavu. 45Ale král Šalomoun bude požehnaný a trůn Davidův bude pevně stát před Hospodinem navěky. 46Král vydal příkaz Benajášovi, synu Jójadovu, ten šel a zasáhl proti němu, takže zemřel. Tak se království v Šalomounově ruce upevnilo.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 DAVID DIES. (
1Kgs 2:1-11)
David . . . charged Solomon his son--The charge recorded here was given to Solomon just before his death and is different from the farewell address delivered in public some time before (
1Chr 28:2-9). It is introduced with great solemnity.
2 I go the way of all the earth--a beautiful and impressive periphrasis for death.
be thou strong, . . . show thyself a man--This counsel is similar to the apostolic direction (
1Cor 16:13) and refers to the fortitude or strength of mind that was required to discharge the onerous functions of king.
3 keep the charge of the Lord thy God--that is, the divine law in all its ceremonial as well as moral requirements. But particular reference was intended to its political institutions, as it was only by strictly maintaining the conduct that became the Hebrew monarch (
Deut 17:10-
Deut 17:20), that he would secure the blessing of peace and prosperity to his reign (see on
Deut 4:5;
Deut 29:10).
4 there shall not fail thee . . . a man on the throne of Israel--a reference to the promise made to David of the sovereignty being vested perpetually in his lineage (
2Sam 7:11-16), which was confirmed to Solomon afterwards (see
1Kgs 9:5), and repeated with reference to its spiritual meaning long after (
Jer 33:17).
5 thou knowest also what Joab . . . did--The insolent and imperious conduct of that general had not only been deeply offensive to the feelings (
2Sam 18:5-15;
2Sam 19:5-7), but calculated to bring reproach on the character, to injure the prospects, and endanger the throne of David. Passing over the injuries committed directly against himself, David dwelt with strong feelings on the base assassination of Abner and Amasa.
shed the blood of war in peace, &c.--The obvious meaning is, that in peace he acted towards them as if they had been in a state of warfare; but perhaps these graphic expressions might be designed to impress Solomon's mind more strongly with a sense of the malice, treachery, and cruelty by which those murders were characterized.
6 Do . . . according to thy wisdom--Joab's immense popularity with the army required that any proceedings instituted against him should be taken with great prudence and deliberation.
8 thou hast with thee Shimei--Though David promised him a pardon, which being enforced by the presence of a thousand followers, could not have been well refused, he warned his son against Shimei as a turbulent and dangerous character. It must not be supposed that in these dying instructions David was evincing a fierce, vindictive spirit. He is rather to be considered as acting in the character of a king and magistrate, in noticing crimes which he had not been in a condition to punish, and pointing out persons of whom Solomon would be under a necessity to rid himself as dangerous to the state. The grateful mention of Barzillai's kindness [
1Kgs 2:7] was, however, a personal feeling that does honor to the warmth of his heart; and his silence as to Mephibosheth, the son of his beloved Jonathan, would imply the previous death of that prince.
9 for thou art a wise man--Solomon had given early indications of wisdom before his miraculous endowment with the heavenly gift (see
1Kgs 3:11), and his own sagacity would dictate the course that should be followed in any new offense that Shimei might commit.
10 So David slept with his fathers--about six months after the coronation of Solomon (compare
2Sam 5:5 with
1Chr 29:27). The interval was spent in developing his ideas and plans for the future glory of the kingdom and providing for the permanent worship of God (see on
1Chr 22:1, and following).
was buried in the city of David--Sepulchres were not allowed within the precincts of cities. Jerusalem, however, formed an exception; and yet, even there, the privilege was reserved chiefly for the royal family (
Acts 2:29). Tradition says that the bones of David repose on Mount Zion, and the minaret of a small mosque points out the spot which tradition has fixed. His was a noble, a wondrous, and a humbling history. He was a good man, yet his life was deformed by various crimes of a very gross character. But there were many bright and noble traits in his character; he was an earnest lover of the divine law; his reign was signalized by many important services that contributed to the glory of God and the exaltation of His kingdom; and his name, as the sweet Psalmist of Israel, will be held in honor to the latest age of the Church.
12 SOLOMON SUCCEEDS HIM. (
1Kgs 2:12-24)
Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father--His ascension to the royal dignity was made under the happiest auspices. Having been born after his father became monarch of the whole kingdom, his claim, according to the notions of Oriental people, was preferable to that of all, even his elder brothers. The Hebrew kingdom enjoyed internal prosperity; it was respected and renowned abroad, and Solomon well knew how to improve these advantages.
13 Adonijah . . . came to Bath-sheba--Her question to him betrays an apprehension which his recent conduct might well warrant; but his pious acknowledgment of the divine will seemed apparently to indicate so entire an acquiescence in the settlement of the succession [
1Kgs 2:15], that, in her womanly simplicity, she perceived not the deep cunning and evil design that was concealed under his request and readily undertook to promote his wishes.
19 Bath-sheba . . . went unto King Solomon--The filial reverence and the particular act of respect, which Solomon rendered, were quite in accordance with the sentiments and customs of the East. The right hand is the place of honor; and as it expressly said to have been assigned to "the king's mother," it is necessary to remark that, when a husband dies, his widow acquires a higher dignity and power, as a mother over her son, than she ever possessed before. Besides, the dignity of "king's mother" is a state office, to which certain revenues are attached. The holder has a separate palace or court, as well as possesses great influence in public affairs; and as the dignity is held for life, it sometimes happens, in consequence of deaths, that the person enjoying it may not be related to the reigning sovereign by natural maternity. Bath-sheba had evidently been invested with this honorable office.
22 why dost thou ask Abishag . . . ask for him the kingdom also--(See on
2Sam 16:5; also see on
2Sam 12:8). Solomon's indignation was roused; he in a moment penetrated the artful scheme, and from his associating the names of Abiathar and Joab, he seems to have suspected or known that those deep schemers had been the prompters of Adonijah.
23 God do so to me, and more also--the common form of introducing a solemn oath.
if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life--Whether there was a treasonable design to conceal under this request or not, the act, according to Eastern notions, was criminal, and of dangerous consequence to the state. There is no ground of censure upon Solomon for cruelty or precipitation in this instance. He had pardoned Adonijah's former conspiracy; but this new attempt was rebellion against the viceroy appointed by the divine King and called for condign punishment. The office of executioner was among the Hebrews, as in other ancient countries of the East, performed unceremoniously and privately--often without any previous warning--by the captain of the guard, or one of his officers (
Matt 14:10).
26 unto Abiathar the priest said the king--This functionary, as the counsellor or accomplice of Adonijah, had deserved to share his fate. But partly from regard to his priestly dignity, and partly from his long associations with the late king, Solomon pronounced on him the mitigated sentence of banishment to his country estate at Anathoth, and thereby, as God's vicegerent, deprived him of his office and its emoluments. The sacred writer notices the remarkable fulfilment, Abiathar's degradation from the high priesthood (see on
1Kgs 4:4), of the doom denounced against the house of Eli (
1Sam 2:30).
28 JOAB SLAIN. (1Ki. 2:28-45)
Then tidings came to Joab--The execution of these sentences respectively on Adonijah and Abiathar prepared Joab for his fate. Death, due to his great crimes (
Num 35:33), would long ago have been inflicted, had not his power and popularity with the army been too formidable for the old king. He now fled to the altar, which, though a recognized asylum, afforded no sanctuary to the rebel and murderer (
Exod 21:14). And, as he refused to leave it, he seems to have cherished some faint hope that a religious scruple would have been felt at the thought of violating the sanctity of the place by bloodshed. Benaiah, not liking to assume any responsibility, referred the matter to Solomon, who determined that the law should take its course (
Deut 19:13).
33 Their blood shall . . . return upon the head of Joab, &c.--A reference is here made to the curse publicly and solemnly pronounced by King David (
2Sam 3:28-29).
34 SHIMEI PUT TO DEATH. (
1Kgs 2:34-46)
Benaiah . . . went up, and fell upon him--According to the terms of the statute (
Exod 21:14), and the practice in similar cases (
2Kgs 11:15), the criminal was to be dragged from the altar and slain elsewhere. But the truth is, that the sanctity of the altar was violated as much by the violence used in forcing the criminal from the place as in shedding his blood there; the express command of God authorized the former and therefore by implication permitted the latter.
was buried in his own house--or family vault, at his property in the wilderness of Judah. His interment was included in the king's order, as enjoined in the divine law (
Deut 21:23).
36 the king sent and called for Shimei--He was probably residing at Bahurim, his native place. But, as he was a suspicious character, Solomon condemned him henceforth to live in Jerusalem, on the penalty of death, for going without the gates. He submitted to this confinement for three years, when, violating his oath, he was arrested and put to death by Solomon for perjury, aggravated by his former crime of high treason against David [
1Kgs 2:42-44].
46 the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon--Now, by the death of Shimei, all the leaders of the rival factions had been cut off.