Ver. 1. Now king David was old.] His numbering the people is by some held to be the last act he did before he took his bed. But by others, with more probability, that all those things recorded in the eight last chapters of the First Book of Chronicles were done whilst David was able to go abroad; for it is said in 1 Chronicles 28:2 that he “stood upon his feet in the assembly of the princes,” and spake unto them. And he so spake that they might well perceive his intellectuals were no whit decayed, though he were old and cold, rigens prae senio. And they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.] He had been a man of sorrows from his youth up. See Proverbs 17:22 2Co 7:10 Ps 32:3,4 119:83. Hence his strength was much impaired, and his death hastened, though he lived as long as any king of Judah or Israel: indeed, Manasseh reigned longest of any.
Ver. 2. Wherefore his servants said unto him,] i.e., His physicians, his Θεραποντες θεραπευοντες. And let her lie in thy bosom.] In a medicinal way, to work heat in thy cold body, whilst she lieth with thee as a wife or concubine: for else they would never have advised it, nor David have taken their counsel.
Ver. 3. So they sought for a fair damsel.] The natural cause why they went this way to work rather than by wines, furs, &c., was quia ille calor humanus in substantia erat simillimus calori hominis naturali, eiusque gradum non superabat, saith Valesius: because her heat would be likest to his in substance and degree. Virgins also have more natural heat than women who have had children. Sac. Theol, cap. 29. Gal., lib. 7. Method.
Ver. 4. And the damsel was very fair.] And therefore lovely, οττι καλον φιλον εστι, and fitter for the purpose. But the king knew her not.] Utpote frigidus et inhabilis ad generandum; neither would it have been for his health, as the case then stood.
Ver. 5. Exalted himself, saying, I will be king.] This was another of David’s darlings. Him and Absalom, David had honoured, as Eli had done his two wicked sons, above the Lord; (1 Samuel 2:29) therefore they proved a singular cross to him. I will be king.] Though David had declared Solomon to be designed king by God himself, (1 Chronicles 22:9,10) and Adonijah knew it to be so, and therefore called not Solomon and his party to his feast. (1 Kings 1:19) Vain men, whilst, like proud and yet brittle clay, they will be knocking their sides against the solid and eternal decree of God, break themselves in pieces. And he prepared him chariots.] Absalom-like; ambition rideth without reins. David should have now looked upon him as another Absalom, and suppressed him. But he either knew not, or suspected not this pomp, and those preparations of his.
Ver. 6. And his father had not displeased him at any time.] Heb., From his days, i.e., from his childhood; therefore he displeased his father in his age; little caring to crush his heart when now bedridden, by his disloyalty and usurpation. But thus was still fulfilled what had been forethreatened. (2 Samuel 12:11) In saying, Why hast thou done so?] He cockered his children, whom he should have corrected if he had done right. David was ever too fond a father, and he smarted for it. And he also was a very goodly man.] As well as Absalom: this made him think the better of himself, and his father think too well of him.
Ver. 7. And he conferred with Joab, &c.] Seeking to draw these grandees to his party, whom he knew to be discontented, and therefore more easily wrought upon. Joab was conscious to himself of the treacherous murdering of Abner and Amasa; for which and the death of Absalom, David bare him still an aching tooth: and if he stayed till David appointed a successor in the kingdom, who knew what might follow? Abiathar haply was displeased that Zadok was so much favoured: and might fear the fulfilling of that prophecy concerning the overthrow of Eli’s house, of which he was. But what saith an ancient? Divinum consilium dum devitatur, impletur; humana sapientia, dum reluctatur, comprehenditur. There are “many devices in a man’s heart: nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21) Greg.
Ver. 8. But Zadok the priest.] So Cranmer and Ridley, and some few other conscientious persons, afterwards ill rewarded by Queen Mary, refused to subscribe the letters patent for Lady Jane Gray’s succession to the crown, after the death of King Edward VI; which yet were subscribed by the most of the statesmen, who were guided with respect to their particular interest, for that they were possessed of various lands which once pertained to monasteries, chanteries, &c., which they foresaw they should lose, in case religion should change under Queen Mary.
Ver. 9. And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen.] Hitherto all went ‘hail well’ with these gallants: and many a health, no doubt, was drunk to Adonijah: many a confident boast of their prosperous design, many a scorn of the despised faction of Solomon, &c. But the triumphing of the wicked is short. (Job 20:5) [See Trapp on “Job 20:5”]