1Král David byl už stařec v pokročilém věku. Nemohl se zahřát, ani když ho přikrývali plášti. 2Jeho dvořané mu navrhli: „Když dovolíš, necháme pro pana krále vyhledat nějakou mladou pannu, aby byla králi k službám a pečovala o něj. Bude léhat ve tvé náruči, aby se pan král zahřál.“ 3A tak po všech izraelských končinách hledali nejkrásnější dívku, až nalezli Šunemitku Abišag, a přivedli ji ke králi. 4Byla to překrásná dívka. Obsluhovala krále, pečovala o něj, ale král s ní nic neměl. 5Tehdy se začal pozvedat Chagitin syn Adoniáš. „Kralovat budu já,“ prohlašoval. Opatřil si vozy a jízdu a běhalo před ním padesát mužů. 6Jeho otec ho ale nikdy nepokáral, neptal se: „Co to provádíš?“ Adoniáš se narodil hned po Abšalomovi a byl velmi krásný, podobně jako on. 7Domlouval se s Joábem, synem Ceruji, a s knězem Abiatarem. Ti Adoniáše podporovali. 8Kněz Sádok, Jojadův syn Benajáš, prorok Nátan a Šimei, Rei ani Davidovi přední bojovníci ale za Adoniášem nestáli. 9Adoniáš odešel obětovat ovce, býky a vykrmená telata ke kameni Zochelet nedaleko pramene En-rogel a sezval tam všechny své bratry, královské syny, i všechny královské dvořany z kmene Juda. 10Proroka Nátana, Benajáše, přední bojovníky, ba ani svého bratra Šalomouna ale nepozval. 11Nátan tehdy promluvil s Šalomounovou matkou Batšebou: „Už jsi to slyšela? Chagitin syn Adoniáš kraluje, a náš pán David o tom ani neví! 12Pojď tedy, poradím ti, jak zachráníš život sobě i svému synu Šalomounovi. 13Jdi hned ke králi Davidovi a řekni: ‚Můj pane a králi, nepřísahal jsi své služebnici: »Po mně bude kralovat tvůj syn Šalomoun; na můj trůn usedne on«? Jak to, že tedy kraluje Adoniáš?‘ 14Zatímco budeš mluvit s králem, přijdu tam za tebou a tvá slova potvrdím.“ 15Batšeba tedy vešla ke králi do ložnice. Král už byl velmi starý a pečovala o něj Šunemitka Abišag. 16Batšeba padla na kolena a poklonila se králi. „Co si přeješ?“ zeptal se. 17„Pane můj,“ odpověděla mu, „ty jsi své služebnici přísahal při Hospodinu, svém Bohu: ‚Po mně bude králem tvůj syn Šalomoun. Na můj trůn usedne on.‘ 18A hle, teď kraluje Adoniáš, a ty, můj královský pane, o tom ani nevíš. 19Obětoval ovce, vykrmená telata a množství skotu a sezval tam všechny královské syny i kněze Abiatara a velitele vojska Joába, ale tvého služebníka Šalomouna nepozval. 20Oči celého Izraele teď vzhlíží k tobě, můj pane a králi, abys jim oznámil, kdo usedne na královský trůn po mém pánovi. 21Jinak, až můj královský pán ulehne ke svým otcům, já i můj syn Šalomoun dopadneme jako zločinci.“ 22Ještě hovořila s králem, když vtom přišel prorok Nátan. 23„Je zde prorok Nátan,“ ohlásili králi. Když Nátan předstoupil před krále, poklonil se mu tváří k zemi 24a řekl: „Můj pane a králi, prohlásil jsi snad: ‚Po mně bude kralovat Adoniáš; na můj trůn usedne on‘? 25Dnes totiž odešel obětovat skot, vykrmená telata a množství ovcí a sezval všechny královské syny i vojenské velitele a také kněze Abiatara. Ti s ním hodují, pijí a volají: ‚Ať žije král Adoniáš!‘ 26Mě, tvého služebníka, ani kněze Sádoka, ani Benajáše, syna Jojadova, ba ani tvého služebníka Šalomouna ale nepozval. 27Je to snad nařízení od mého královského pána? Můj pán a král nesdělil svému služebníkovi, kdo usedne na trůn po něm.“ 28„Zavolejte mi Batšebu,“ odpověděl král David. Když přišla ke králi a postavila se před ním, 29král jí přísahal: „Jakože je živ Hospodin, který vykoupil můj život z každého soužení, 30dnes ti splním, co jsem přísahal při Hospodinu, Bohu Izraele: Po mně bude králem tvůj syn Šalomoun; po mně na můj trůn usedne on.“ 31Batšeba padla na kolena a poklonila se králi tváří k zemi se slovy: „David, můj pán a král, ať žije navěky!“ 32Král David potom řekl: „Zavolejte mi kněze Sádoka, proroka Nátana a Benajáše, syna Jojadova.“ Když přišli ke králi, 33řekl jim: „Vezměte s sebou služebníky svého pána, posaďte mého syna Šalomouna na moji mulu a dovezte ho k prameni Gíchon. 34Tam ať ho kněz Sádok a prorok Nátan prohlásí za krále nad Izraelem. Potom trubte na beraní roh a volejte: ‚Ať žije král Šalomoun!‘ 35Pak ho doprovodíte zpět. Až přijde, usedne na můj trůn a bude kralovat místo mě. Jeho určuji za vůdce nad Izraelem i Judou.“ 36„Amen,“ odpověděl králi Benajáš, syn Jojadův. „Tak promluvil Hospodin, Bůh mého pána a krále. 37Jako býval Hospodin s mým královským pánem, tak ať je i s Šalomounem. Ať jeho trůn zvelebí ještě více než trůn mého pána, krále Davida!“ 38Kněz Sádok, prorok Nátan a Benajáš, syn Jojadův, se tedy vydali s gardou Kréťanů a Pléťanů na cestu. Šalomouna posadili na mulu krále Davida a odvedli ho ke Gíchonu. 39Kněz Sádok vzal z Hospodinova stánku roh s olejem a pomazal Šalomouna. Pak zatroubili na beraní roh a všichni přítomní zvolali: „Ať žije král Šalomoun!“ 40Celý ten zástup ho pak doprovázel zpět, pískali na píšťaly a radovali se tak nadšeně, až se tím hlukem otřásala zem. 41Zaslechl to Adoniáš i všichni jeho hosté. Právě když končili hostinu, Joáb uslyšel zvuk beraního rohu. „Co je to ve městě za hluk?“ ptal se. 42Ještě to ani nedořekl, když vtom přišel Jonatan, syn kněze Abiatara. Adoniáš ho vyzval: „Pojď blíž. Jsi ctihodný muž, jistě neseš dobré zprávy.“ 43„Nenesu,“ odpověděl mu Jonatan. „Náš pán, král David, ustanovil za krále Šalomouna. 44Poslal s ním kněze Sádoka, proroka Nátana a Benajáše, syna Jojadova, s gardou Kréťanů a Pléťanů. Posadili ho na královu mulu 45a kněz Sádok s prorokem Nátanem ho u Gíchonu pomazali za krále. Vraceli se odtamtud s veselím a celé město teď oslavuje. To byl ten hluk, který jste slyšeli. 46Šalomoun usedl na královský trůn. 47Královi dvořané přišli našemu pánu a králi Davidovi blahopřát. Říkali: ‚Kéž tvůj Bůh zvelebí Šalomounovo jméno ještě více než tvé a kéž jeho trůn pozvedne ještě více než tvůj.‘ Nato se král na loži poklonil 48a řekl: ‚Požehnán buď Hospodin, Bůh Izraele, který dnes před mýma očima dosadil následníka na můj trůn.‘“ 49Mezi Adoniášovými hosty zavládlo zděšení. Všichni přítomní se zvedli a rozprchli se každý svou cestou. 50Adoniáš vstal a ze strachu před Šalomounem se běžel chytit rohů oltáře. 51Šalomounovi bylo oznámeno: „Hle, Adoniáš má z krále Šalomouna strach. Drží se rohů oltáře a říká: ‚Ať mi dnes král Šalomoun odpřisáhne, že svého služebníka nenechá popravit!‘“ 52„Ukáže-li se jako čestný muž,“ prohlásil Šalomoun, „nespadne mu z hlavy ani vlásek. Zjistí-li se však na něm něco zlého, zemře.“ 53S tím ho Šalomoun nechal odvést od oltáře. Adoniáš pak přišel a poklonil se Šalomounovi jakožto králi. „Jdi domů,“ řekl mu na to Šalomoun.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 ABISHAG CHERISHES DAVID IN HIS EXTREME AGE. (
1Kgs 1:1-4)
Now king David was old--He was in the seventieth year of his age (
2Sam 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 (
1Sam 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 (
Eccl 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
1Kgs 2:22).
3 a Shunammite--Shunem, in the tribe of Issachar (
Josh 19:18), lay on an eminence in the plain of Esdraelon, five miles south of Tabor. It is now called Sulam.
5 ADONIJAH USURPS THE KINGDOM. (1Ki. 1:5-31)
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself--Nothing is said as to the origin or rank of Haggith, so that it is probable she was not distinguished by family descent. Adonijah, though David's fourth son (
2Sam 3:4;
1Chr 3:2), was now the oldest alive; and his personal attractions and manners (
1Sam 9:2) not only recommended him to the leading men about court, but made him the favorite of his father, who, though seeing him assume an equipage becoming only the heir-presumptive to the throne (
2Sam 15:1), said nothing; and his silence was considered by many, as well as by Adonijah, to be equivalent to an expression of consent. The sinking health of the king prompted him to take a decisive step in furtherance of his ambitious designs.
7 he conferred with Joab--The anxiety of Adonijah to secure the influence of a leader so bold, enterprising, and popular with the army was natural, and the accession of the hoary commander is easily accounted for from his recent grudge at the king (see on
2Sam 19:13).
and with Abiathar the priest--His influence was as great over the priests and Levites--a powerful body in the kingdom--as that of Joab over the troops. It might be that both of them thought the crown belonged to Adonijah by right of primogeniture, from his mature age and the general expectations of the people (
1Kgs 2:15).
8 But Zadok the priest--He had been high priest in the tabernacle at Gibeon under Saul (
1Chr 16:39). David, on his accession, had conjoined him and Abiathar equal in the exercise of their high functions (
2Sam 8:17;
2Sam 15:24,
2Sam 15:29,
2Sam 15:35). But it is extremely probable that some cause of jealousy or discord between them had arisen, and hence each lent his countenance and support to opposite parties.
Benaiah--Distinguished for his bravery (
1Sam 23:20), he had been appointed captain of the king's bodyguard (
2Sam 8:18;
2Sam 20:23;
1Chr 18:17), and was regarded by Joab as a rival.
Nathan the prophet--He was held in high estimation by David, and stood on the most intimate relations with the royal family (
2Sam 12:25).
Shimei--probably the person of this name who was afterwards enrolled among Solomon's great officers (
1Kgs 4:18).
Rei--supposed to be the same as Ira (
2Sam 20:26).
and the mighty men--the select band of worthies.
9 En-rogel--situated (
Josh 15:7-
Josh 15:10) east of Jerusalem, in a level place, just below the junction of the valley of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. It is a very deep well, measuring one hundred twenty-five feet in depth; the water is sweet, but not very cold, and it is at times quite full to overflowing. The Orientals are fond of enjoying festive repasts in the open air at places which command the advantage of shade, water, and verdure; and those fetes champetres are not cold collations, but magnificent entertainments, the animals being killed and dressed on the spot. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was one of this Oriental description, and it was on a large scale (
2Sam 3:4-5;
2Sam 5:14-16;
1Chr 14:1-7). At the accession of a new king there were sacrifices offered (
1Sam 11:15). But on such an occasion it was no less customary to entertain the grandees of the kingdom and even the populace in a public manner (1Ch. 12:23-40). There is the strongest probability that Adonijah's feast was purely political, to court popularity and secure a party to support his claim to the crown.
11 Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba . . . let me . . . give thee counsel, &c.--The revolt was defeated by this prophet, who, knowing the Lord's will (
2Sam 7:12;
1Chr 22:9), felt himself bound, in accordance with his character and office, to take the lead in seeing it executed. Hitherto the succession of the Hebrew monarchy had not been settled. The Lord had reserved to Himself the right of nomination (
Deut 17:15), which was acted upon in the appointments both of Saul and David; and in the case of the latter the rule was so far modified that his posterity were guaranteed the perpetual possession of the sovereignty (
2Sam 7:12). This divine purpose was known throughout the kingdom; but no intimation had been made as to whether the right of inheritance was to belong to the oldest son. Adonijah, in common with the people generally, expected that this natural arrangement should be followed in the Hebrew kingdom as in all others. Nathan, who was aware of the old king's solemn promise to Solomon, and, moreover, that this promise was sanctioned by the divine will, saw that no time was to be lost. Fearing the effects of too sudden excitement in the king's feeble state, he arranged that Bath-sheba should go first to inform him of what was being transacted without the walls, and that he himself should follow to confirm her statement. The narrative here not only exhibits the vivid picture of a scene within the interior of a palace, but gives the impression that a great deal of Oriental state ceremonial had been established in the Hebrew court.
20 the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne--When the kings died without declaring their will, then their oldest son succeeded. But frequently they designated long before their death which of their sons should inherit the throne. The kings of Persia, as well as of other Eastern countries, have exercised the same right in modern and even recent times.
21 I and my son . . . shall be counted offenders--that is, slain, according to the barbarous usage of the East towards all who are rivals to the throne.
28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba--He renews to her the solemn pledge he had given, in terms of solemnity and impressiveness which show that the aged monarch had roused himself to the duty the emergency called for.
33 SOLOMON, BY DAVID'S APPOINTMENT, IS ANOINTED KING. (1Ki. 1:32-49)
cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule--Directions were forthwith given for the immediate coronation of Solomon. A procession was to be formed by the "servants of their lord"--that is, the king's bodyguard. Mules were then used by all the princes (
2Sam 13:29); but there was a state mule of which all subjects were forbidden, under pain of death, to make use, without special permission; so that its being granted to Solomon was a public declaration in his favor as the future king (see on
Esth 6:8-
Esth 6:9).
bring him down to Gihon--a pool or fountain on the west of Jerusalem (see on
2Chr 32:30), chosen as equally public for the counter proclamation.
34 anoint him--done only in the case of a new dynasty or disputed succession (see on
1Sam 16:13;
2Sam 2:1).
35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne--The public recognition of the successor to the throne, during the old king's lifetime, is accordant with the customs of the East.
39 an horn of oil out of the tabernacle--It was the sacred oil (
Exod 30:25) with which the kings were anointed.
40 all the people came up after him--that is, from the valley to the citadel of Zion.
41 Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating--The loud shouts raised by the populace at the joyous proclamation at Gihon, and echoed by assembled thousands, from Zion to En-rogel, were easily heard at that distance by Adonijah and his confederates. The arrival of a trusty messenger, who gave a full detail of the coronation ceremony [
1Kgs 1:43-48], spread dismay in their camp. The wicked and ambitious plot they had assembled to execute was dissipated, and every one of the conspirators consulted his safety by flight.
50 ADONIJAH, FLEEING TO THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR, IS DISMISSED BY SOLOMON. (
1Kgs 1:50-53)
Adonijah . . . went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar--most probably the altar of burnt offering which had been erected on Mount Zion, where Abiathar, one of his partisans, presided as high priest. The horns or projections at the four corners of the altar, to which the sacrifices were bound, and which were tipped with the blood of the victim, were symbols of grace and salvation to the sinner. Hence the altar was regarded as a sanctuary (
Exod 21:14), but not to murderers, rebels, or deliberate perpetrators. Adonijah, having acted in opposition to the will of the reigning king, was guilty of rebellion, and stood self-condemned. Solomon spared his life on the express condition of his good behavior--living in strict privacy, leading a quiet, peaceable life, and meddling with the affairs of neither the court nor the kingdom.
53 they brought him down from the altar--from the ledge around the altar on which he was standing.
he bowed himself--that is, did homage to Solomon as king.
