Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 2:12-25
Here is, I. Solomon's accession to the throne, Kg1 2:12. He came to it much more easily and peaceably than David did, and much sooner saw his government established. It is happy for a kingdom when the end of one good reign is the beginning of another, as it was here.
II. His just and necessary removal of Adonijah his rival, in order to the establishment of his throne. Adonijah had made some bold pretensions to the crown, but was soon obliged to let them fail and throw himself upon Solomon's mercy, who dismissed him upon his good behaviour, and, had he been easy, he might have been safe. But here we have him betraying himself into the hands of Solomon's justice, and falling by it, the righteo…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 2:13
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 [Kg1 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.
Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 2:15
Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine - It certainly was his by the right of primogeniture, and it was his by the voice of the people, and the consent of the high priest. But there was a right paramount to all these, the right of God; it was his kingdom; the kings were his lieutenants, and he had a right to give the crown to whomsoever he pleased, and he was pleased to give it to Solomon.
John Gill on 1 Kings 2:16
And now I ask one petition of thee,.... And but one, and a small one too, as Bathsheba herself after calls it:
deny me not, or "turn not away my face" (t); with shame and sorrow, which would be the case should he be denied:
and she said unto him, say on; let me hear it.
(t) "ne avertere facias faciem meam", Pagninus.
