1Když se přiblížil čas Davidovy smrti, dal svému synu Šalomounovi tyto pokyny: 2„Já odcházím jako všechno pozemské, ty ale jednej statečně a mužně 3a zachovávej, co ti svěřil Hospodin, tvůj Bůh. Choď po jeho cestách, dodržuj jeho ustanovení, přikázání, pravidla i svědectví zapsaná v Mojžíšově zákoně, aby se ti dařilo vše, co podnikneš, všude, kam se obrátíš. 4Potom Hospodin splní slovo, které mi dal: ‚Budou-li tví synové dbát na svou cestu a budou-li věrně, z celého srdce a ze vší duše žít přede mnou, pak na izraelském trůnu nikdy nebude chybět tvůj potomek.‘ 5Víš také, co mi provedl Joáb, syn Ceruji – co provedl dvěma izraelským vojevůdcům – Abnerovi, synu Nerovu, a Amasovi, synu Jeterovu. Zavraždil je, prolil jejich krev jako ve válečné řeži, ačkoli byl mír. Prolitou krví potřísnil pás na svých bedrech i obuv na svých nohou. 6Zachovej se tedy podle své moudrosti, ale nenech ho v šedinách pokojně ulehnout do hrobu. 7Synům Barzilaje Gileádského ale prokaž přízeň – přijmi je mezi své spolustolovníky, neboť se ke mně zachovali jako přátelé, když jsem prchal před tvým bratrem Abšalomem. 8Hle, máš u sebe také Šimeiho, syna Gerova, Benjamínce z Bachurim. Tenkrát, když jsem šel do Machanajim, zlořečil mi hroznými kletbami. Potom mi vyšel vstříc k Jordánu a já jsem mu přísahal při Hospodinu, že ho nezabiji. 9Ty ho ale nenech bez trestu. Však jsi moudrý a budeš vědět, jak s ním máš naložit, abys jeho šediny poslal do hrobu v krvi.“ 10Poté David ulehl ke svým předkům a byl pohřben ve Městě Davidově. 11David kraloval nad Izraelem celkem čtyřicet let. Sedm let kraloval v Hebronu a třiatřicet let kraloval v Jeruzalémě. 12Na trůn svého otce Davida usedl Šalomoun a vzal královskou vládu pevně do rukou. 13Za Šalomounovou matkou Batšebou přišel Adoniáš, syn Chagity. „Přicházíš v pokoji?“ otázala se ho. „Ano,“ odvětil. 14„Rád bych s tebou promluvil.“ „Mluv,“ vybídla ho. 15„Ty víš, že následnictví bylo na mně a celý Izrael očekával, že budu kralovat. To se ale změnilo a království z Hospodinovy vůle připadlo mému bratrovi. 16Teď tedy mám k tobě jedinou prosbu, neodmítni mě.“ „Mluv,“ odpověděla. 17„Požádej prosím krále Šalomouna – tebe přece neodmítne – ať mi dá za ženu Šunemitku Abišag.“ 18„Dobrá,“ odpověděla Batšeba, „promluvím o tobě s králem.“ 19Potom šla za králem Šalomounem, aby mu řekla o Adoniášovi. Král vstal a vykročil jí vstříc, poklonil se jí a posadil se na trůn. Také své matce dal král přistavit trůn a ona zasedla po jeho pravici. 20„Chci tě požádat o jednu maličkost,“ řekla. „snad mě neodmítneš.“ „Žádej, matko, tebe neodmítnu,“ odpověděl král. 21Tehdy řekla: „Mohl by tvůj bratr Adoniáš dostat za ženu Šunemitku Abišag?“ 22„Proč žádáš pro Adoniáše Šunemitku Abišag?“ odpověděl jí král Šalomoun. „To už pro něj rovnou žádej království! Vždyť je to můj starší bratr a navíc má na své straně kněze Abiatara i Joába, syna Ceruji.“ 23A král Šalomoun tehdy přísahal při Hospodinu: „Ať mě Bůh potrestá a ještě mi přidá, jestli Adoniáš za ta slova nezaplatí životem! 24Jakože je živ Hospodin, který mě pevně usadil na trůnu mého otce Davida a který mi podle svého slova vybudoval dům – Adoniáš zemře ještě dnes!“ 25Král Šalomoun pak poslal Benajáše, syna Jojadova, a ten ho popravil. 26Kněze Abiatara král vykázal do Anatotu. „Odejdi ke svým polím. Zasloužíš si smrt, ale dnes tě nenechám zemřít, protože jsi před mým otcem Davidem nosil Truhlu Panovníka Hospodina a snášel jsi všechna strádání mého otce.“ 27Tak Šalomoun Abiatarovi odebral Hospodinovo kněžství, aby se naplnilo slovo, které Hospodin v Šílu promluvil o domu Elího. 28Zpráva o tom se donesla i k Joábovi, který se také přiklonil k Adoniášovi (ačkoli k Abšalomovi se předtím nepřidal). Joáb proto utekl k Hospodinovu stánku a chytil se rohů oltáře. 29Králi Šalomounovi bylo oznámeno, že Joáb utekl k Hospodinovu stánku a že je u oltáře. Šalomoun poslal Benajáše, syna Jojadova, se slovy: „Jdi ho zabít.“ 30Benajáš přišel k Hospodinovu stánku a řekl Joábovi: „Král nařizuje: Vyjdi ven!“ On ale odpověděl: „Ne. Raději umřu tady.“ Benajáš tedy vyřídil králi: „Joáb mi odpověděl tak a tak.“ 31Král na to prohlásil: „Udělej, jak řekl – zabij ho. Pak ho pohřbíš a sejmeš tak ze mě i z domu mého otce krev, kterou Joáb bezdůvodně prolil. 32Hospodin obrátí jeho krev na jeho hlavu, protože napadl dva muže spravedlivější a lepší, než je sám, a zavraždil je mečem. Můj otec David přece o vraždě izraelského vojevůdce Abnera, syna Nerova, ani o vraždě judského vojevůdce Amasy, syna Jeterova, nevěděl. 33To krveprolití provždy padne na hlavu Joába a jeho potomků. Na Davida a jeho símě, na jeho dům i jeho trůn ať ale přijde Hospodinův pokoj až navěky.“ 34Benajáš, syn Jojadův, tedy šel a popravil ho. Potom ho pohřbili u něj doma na venkově. 35Král místo něj ustanovil vrchním velitelem Benajáše, syna Jojadova, a knězem namísto Abiatara ustanovil Sádoka. 36Potom král poslal pro Šimeiho a řekl mu: „Postav si dům v Jeruzalémě a bydli v něm. Nebudeš ale odtud nikam odcházet. 37Buď si jist, že v den, kdy bys přece jen odešel a překročil potok Kidron, jistě zemřeš. Tvá krev pak padne na tvou hlavu.“ 38Šimei králi odpověděl: „Můj pán a král rozhodl dobře. Tvůj služebník udělá, jak jsi řekl.“ Šimei pak dlouho bydlel v Jeruzalémě. 39Po třech letech utekli dva Šimeiho otroci ke gatskému králi Achišovi, synu Maaky. Šimei dostal zprávu: „Víš, že tví otroci jsou v Gatu?“ 40A tak vstal, osedlal osla a vydal se do Gatu k Achišovi hledat své otroky. Když odcházel z Gatu, vedl si otroky s sebou. 41Když se Šalomoun dozvěděl, že Šimei odešel z Jeruzaléma do Gatu a zase se vrátil, 42dal si ho zavolat a řekl mu: „Nezapřísahal jsem tě při Hospodinu? Nevaroval jsem tě: ‚Buď si jist, že v den, kdy odejdeš a někam se vydáš, jistě zemřeš‘? Ještě jsi mi na to řekl: ‚Rozhodl jsi dobře. Poslechnu.‘ 43Proč jsi tedy nedodržel Hospodinovu přísahu ani můj příkaz?“ 44Král tehdy Šimeimu řekl: „Sám v srdci dobře víš, jak zle jsi mému otci Davidovi ublížil. Hospodin tvé zlo obrátil na tvou hlavu! 45Král Šalomoun ale bude požehnaný a trůn Davidův bude před Hospodinem pevný navěky.“ 46Potom král přikázal Benajášovi, synu Jojadovu, a ten šel a popravil ho. A tak vzal Šalomoun královskou vládu pevně do rukou.
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.