the Kings of Judah" (2 Kings 20:20). These facts seem to show that the works from which the author of the

Book of Kings quoted, were themselves based on earlier prophetic writings. It is only necessary to add in

this note that the period embraced in the Books of Kings extends over 455 years.

Accordingly, Adonijah must have been between thirty-three and forty years of age at the time of his

attempt to seize the throne.

Josephus (Ant. 7. 2) expressly states this to have been the advice given by his physicians. The practice

was in accordance with the medical views entertained not only in ancient, but even in comparatively modern

times. Dr. Trusen devotes to the medical consideration of this subject a special paragraph (§ 21, pp. 257-260)

in his curious work, Sitten, Gebr. u. Krankh. d. alten Hebr.

The story of Abishag is only introduced in order to explain the occasion of Adonijah's later execution. Of

course it must be viewed in the light of the toleration of polygamy, nor could the object which the

physicians had in view have been otherwise secured.

Comp. Josephus, Ant. 7. 14. 4.

Comp. Bonar, Land of Promise, pp. 492-496.

Such seems to me the right location of Gihon, and not that suggested in the Speaker's Commentary, vol. 2.

p. 485.

It can scarcely be pretended that Shimei's personal presence at Gath was absolu tely necessary for the

recovery of his fugitive slaves. But even had it been so, if Shimei had been allowed to transgress the king's

injunction, his obedience in this or any other matter could never afterwards have been enforced.

As noticed in the previous part, and even indicated by the position in the Hebrew Canon of the historical

books among "the Prophets."

Comp. Stuart Poole, in Smith's Bible Did., vol. 1. p. 511.

From 1 Kings 11:42, comp. with 14:21, we might infer that Solomon had married the Ammonitess Naamah

before the death of his father. But as this seems incompatible with 2 Chronicles 13:7, and for other reason

which will-readily occur to the reader, the numeral indicating the age of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:21) seems to

be a copyist's mistake for 21.

The law only forbade alliance with the Canaanites (Exodus 34:16 Deuteronomy 7:3).

Comp. the views expressed in the Mishnah on the lawfulness of such worship in vol. 3 of this "Bible

History," p. 78.

Similarly Xerxes offered a thousand oxen at Troy (Herod. 7. 43)

Accordingly, Solomon forfeited this promise on account of his later idolatry. He died at the age of about

fifty-nine or sixty.

The word Cohen in 1 Kings 4:2 ("Azariah, the son of Zadok the priest") should not be rendered "priest,"

but refers to a civil office - that of the king's representative to the people and his most intimate adviser. The

same term is used of Zabud in ver. 5, where the Authorized Version translates "principal officer," and also of

David's sons, 2 Samuel 8:18. A grand. son of Zadok could not have been old enough to be high-priest

(comp. 1 Chronicles 6:10.)