Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 1:41–end
We have here,
I. The tidings of Solomon's inauguration brought to Adonijah and his party, in the midst of their jollity: They had made an end of eating, and, it should seem, it was a great while before they made an end, for all the affair of Solomon's anointing was ordered and finished while they were at dinner, glutting themselves. Thus those who serve not our Lord Christ, but oppose him, are commonly such as serve their own belly (Rom 16:18) and made a god of it, Phi 3:19. Their long feast intimates likewise that they were very secure and confident of their interest, else they would not have lost so much time. The old world and Sodom were eating and drinking, secure and sensual, when their…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 1:41
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 [Kg1 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.
Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 1:43
Jonathan answered - He was properly a messenger about the court; we have met with him and Ahimaaz before, Sa2 15:36. He had now been an observer, if not a spy, on all that was doing, and relates the transactions to Adonijah, in the very order in which they took place.
1. David has nominated Solomon his successor.
2. Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah, have been appointed to set him on the king's mule.
3. They have taken him to Gihon, and anointed him there.
4. They have brought him up to Jerusalem and placed him on the throne of the kingdom.
John Gill on 1 Kings 1:43
And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, verily,.... Or, "nay, but" (k) it is not so as you imagine; it is not good tidings, but bad tidings to thee I:bring:
our lord King David hath made Solomon king; of which he gives the following account in proof of it.
(k) "nequaquam", V. L. Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
