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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.
(^70) Accordingly, Adonijah must have been between thirty-three and forty years of age at
the time of his attempt to seize the throne.
(^71) 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.
(^72) 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.
(^73) Comp. Josephus, Ant. 7. 14. 4.
(^74) Comp. Bonar, Land of Promise, pp. 492-496.
(^75) Such seems to me the right location of Gihon, and not that suggested in the Speaker's
Commentary, vol. 2. p. 485.
(^76) It can scarcely be pretended that Shimei's personal presence at Gath was absolutely
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.
(^77) As noticed in the previous part, and even indicated by the position in the Hebrew
Canon of the historical books among "the Prophets."
(^78) Comp. Stuart Poole, in Smith's Bible Did., vol. 1. p. 511.
(^79) 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.
(^)