1Když se Davidův život chýlil ke konci, dal svému synovi Šalomounovi tato naučení: 2„Odcházím cestou celého světa. Buď silný a ukaž, že jsi muž! 3Budeš se řídit pravidly Jahva, svého Boha, tím že budeš chodit po jeho cestách, dodržovat jeho zákony, jeho přikázání, jeho nařízení a jeho pokyny podle toho, co je napsáno v Mojžíšově zákoně, abys měl úspěch při všech svých dílech a všech svých záměrech, 4tak aby Jahve splnil onen slib, jejž mi dal: ‘Budou-li tví synové dávat pozor na své chování a budou věrně přede mnou chodit z celého svého srdce a ze vší své duše, budeš na trůně Izraele vždycky někoho mít.’ 5Víš také, co mi udělal Serujin syn Joab, co udělal oběma vojevůdcům vojska Izraele, Nerovu synovi Abnerovi a Jeterovu synovi Amasovi, jak je zabil, jak pomstil v míru krev války a poskvrnil nevinnou krví opasek mých beder a opánek mých nohou; 6budeš jednat rozvážně a nenecháš jeho bílé vlasy sestoupit v pokoji do šeolu. 7A se syny Galaadovce Barzilaje budeš jednat dobrotivě a oni budou mezi těmi, kdo jedí u tvého stolu, neboť tak mě podporovali oni, když jsem utíkal před tvým bratrem Absalomem. 8Máš u sebe Benjaminovce z Bachurimu, Gerova syna Šimeje, který mě strašlivě proklínal v den, kdy jsem odcházel do Machanajimu, ale přišel mi naproti k Jordánu a já jsem mu při Jahvovi přísahal, že ho nezabiji mečem. 9Ty ovšem ho nenecháš bez trestu, a jelikož jsi obezřelý muž, budeš už vědět, co mu udělat, abys jeho bílé vlasy přivedl do šeolu v krvi.“ 10A David ulehl se svými otci a pochovali ho v Davidově městě. 11Davidova vláda nad Izraelem trvala čtyřicet let: sedm let vládl v Hebronu, třiatřicet let vládl v Jeruzalémě. 12Šalomoun zasedl na trůn svého otce Davida a jeho moc se velice upevnila. 13Hagitin syn Adoniáš se odebral k Šalomounově matce Betsabe. Zeptala se ho: „Přinášíš pokoj?“ On odpověděl: „Ano.“ 14Řekl: „Musím s tebou promluvit.“ Ona řekla: „Mluv.“ 15On pokračoval: „Dobře víš, že mi náležela královská hodnost a že celý Izrael počítal s tím, že budu vládnout, ale královská hodnost mi unikla a připadla mému bratrovi, neboť mu přišla od Jahva. 16Teď mám k tobě jedinou prosbu, neodbývej mě.“ Ona mu řekla: „Mluv.“ 17On pokračoval: „Řekni, prosím tě, králi Šalomounovi - vždyť tebe on neodbude -, aby mi dal za ženu Abišag ze Šunemu.“ 18Ona odpověděla: „Dobře, promluvím o tobě s králem.“ 19Betsabe se tedy odebrala ke králi Šalomounovi, aby s ním promluvila o Adoniášovi, a král jí povstal vstříc a poklonil se před ní, potom usedl na svůj trůn, pro královu matku přistavili stolec a ona usedla po jeho pravici. 20Řekla: „Mám k tobě jen malou žádost, neodbývej mě.“ Král jí odpověděl: „Žádej, matko, vždyť tebe neodbudu.“ 21Ona pokračovala: „Ať dají Abišag ze Šunemu za ženu tvému bratru Adoniášovi.“ 22Král Šalomoun opět promluvil a řekl matce: „A proč žádáš pro Adoniáše Abišag ze Šunemu? Žádej tedy pro něho královskou hodnost. Vždyť on je můj starší bratr a má za sebou kněze Ebjatara a Serujina syna Joaba!“ 23A král Šalomoun takto při Jahvovi přísahal: „Toto zlo ať na mne Bůh dopustí a tamto k němu ještě přidá, jestliže Adoniáš nepronesl toto slovo za cenu svého života. 24Nu dobrá, jako že žije Jahve, který mě potvrdil a usadil na trůn mého otce Davida a který jemu, jak mu to slíbil, dal dům, ještě dnes bude Adoniáš vydán na smrt.“ 25A král Šalomoun tím pověřil Jehojadova syna Benajahua, ten ho udeřil mečem a on zemřel. 26Knězi Ebjatarovi pak král řekl: „Jdi do Anatotu na svůj statek, neboť si zasluhuješ smrt, ale já tě dnes neusmrtím, neboť jsi nosil Jahvovu archu před mým otcem Davidem a sdílel jsi všechny zkoušky mého otce.“ 27A Šalomoun vyloučil Ebjatara z Jahvova kněžského úřadu, naplňuje tak slovo, které Jahve vyslovil proti Eliho rodu v Silu. 28Když tato zpráva došla k Joabovi - protože Joab se totiž postavil na Adoniášovu stranu, ačkoli na Absalomovu stranu se předtím nepostavil -, uprchl do Jahvova Stanu a chytil se rohů oltáře. 29Oznámili to králi Šalomounovi: „Joab se utekl do Jahvova Stanu a hle, je vedle rohů oltáře.“ Tu Šalomoun poslal k Joabovi se vzkazem: „Co tě to napadlo, žes utekl k oltáři?“ Joab odpověděl: „Měl jsem z tebe strach a uchýlil jsem se k Jahvovi.“ Tu Šalomoun poslal Jehojadova syna Benajahua a řekl mu: „Jdi a udeř ho!“ 30Benajahu šel do Jahvova Stanu a řekl mu: „Na králův příkaz, vyjdi ven!“ On odpověděl: „Ne, zemřu zde.“ Benajahu podal o té věci zprávu králi: „Hle, co řekl Joab a co mi odpověděl.“ 31Král mu řekl: „Udělej, jak ti řekl: udeř ho, potom ho pohřbi. Takto dnes ze mne a z mé rodiny sejmeš nevinnou krev, kterou Joab prolil. 32Jahve dá, že jeho krev padne na jeho hlavu, protože on udeřil dva muže, kteří byli spravedliví a lepší než on, a zabil je mečem bez vědomí mého otce Davida: Nerova syna Abnera, vojevůdce vojska Izraele, a Jeterova syna Amasu, vojevůdce vojska Judy. 33Ať jejich krev padne navěky na hlavu Joaba a jeho potomstva, ale David a jeho potomstvo a jeho panovnický rod a jeho trůn ať mají vždycky Jahvův pokoj!“ 34Jehojadův syn Benajahu odešel, udeřil Joaba, vydal ho na smrt a pohřbili ho na jeho pozemku v poušti. 35Král postavil namísto něho do čela vojska Jehojadova syna Benajahua; a král postavil na Ebjatarovo místo kněze Sadoka. 36Král si předvolal Šimeje a řekl mu: „Postav si dům v Jeruzalémě, budeš tam bydlet, ale nikam jinam odtud neodcházej. 37Věz dobře, že v den, kdy vyjdeš a překročíš rokli Cedronu, určitě zemřeš. Tvá krev bude na tvé hlavě.“ 38Šimej králi odpověděl: „Dobře. Jak král, můj pán, nařídil, tak tvůj služebník udělá,“ a Šimej dlouho přebýval v Jeruzalémě. 39Ale po třech letech se stalo, že dva Šimejovi otroci se utekli ke gatskému králi, Maakovu synovi Akišovi, a Šimej byl upozorněn: „Tví otroci jsou v Gatu.“ 40Tu Šimej vstal, osedlal si osla a odejel do Gatu k Akišovi pro své otroky; Šimej šel a přivedl své otroky z Gatu nazpět. 41Šalomounovi oznámili, že Šimej šel z Jeruzaléma do Gatu a že se vrátil. 42Král si předvolal Šimeje a řekl mu: „Což jsem tě nezavázal přísahou při Jahvovi a neupozornil jsem tě: ‘Věz dobře, že v den, kdy vyjdeš a půjdeš kamkoli jinam, určitě zemřeš?’ A tys mi řekl: ‘Tvé slovo, jež jsem slyšel, je správné.’ 43Proč jsi nezachoval přísahu Jahvovi a příkaz, který jsem ti sdělil?“ 44Potom král Šimejovi řekl: „Znáš zpaměti všechno zlo, které jsi způsobil mému otci Davidovi; Jahve způsobí, že tvá špatnost padne na tvou vlastní hlavu. 45Ale král Šalomoun ať je požehnán a ať Davidův trůn přetrvá před Jahvem navěky!“ 46Král vydal příkaz Jehojadovu synovi Benajahuovi, on vyšel, udeřil Šimeje a ten zemřel. Tehdy se upevnila v Šalomounově ruce královská hodnost.
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.