Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 2:35–end
Here is, I. The preferment of Benaiah and Zadok, two faithful friends to Solomon and his government, Kg1 2:35. Joab being put to death, Benaiah was advanced to be general of the forces in his room, and, Abiathar being deposed, Zadok was made high priest in his room, and therein was fulfilled the word of God, when he threatened to cut off the house of Eli (Sa1 2:35), I will raise me up a faithful priest, and will build him a sure house. Though sacred offices may be disgraced, they shall not be destroyed, by the mal-administration of those that are entrusted with them, nor shall God's work ever stand still for want of hands to carry it on. No wonder that he who was a king so immediately of God…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 2:36
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 [Kg1 2:42-44].
Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 2:40
And Shimei - went to Gath - It is astonishing that with his eyes wide open he would thus run into the jaws of death.
John Gill on 1 Kings 2:43
Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord,.... Which was made by him, and in his presence, and in which he was appealed to, and so by not keeping it was guilty of perjury:
and the commandment that I have charged thee with? and so guilty of disobedience to him as his sovereign; for which two reasons he ought to die.
Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Kings 2:12–end
Accession of Solomon and Establishment of his Government. - Kg1 2:12 is a heading embracing the substance of what follows, and is more fully expanded in Ch1 29:23-25. Solomon established his monarchy first of all by punishing the rebels, Adonijah (Ch1 29:13-25) and his adherents (Ch1 29:26 -35), and by carrying out the final instructions of his father (vv. 36-46).
Kg1 2:13-18
Adonijah forfeits his life. - Kg1 2:13-18. Adonijah came to Bathsheba with the request that she would apply to king Solomon to give him Abishag of Shunem as his wife. Bathsheba asked him, "Is peace thy coming?" i.e., comest thou with a peaceable intention? (as in Sa1 16:4), because after what had occurred (Kg1 1:5.) she…
