14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are 'great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. 15 ¶ So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, 'the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house. 18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded. 20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward 5 Or, many. him and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground. 21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people. 22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. 23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God aecept thee. 24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. 1 Sam. 15, 11.' Verse 2. "Number ye the people."-There is another account of this transaction in 1 Chron. xxi., between which and that now before us there are some apparent discrepancies, which will be noticed under the latter chapter. We may also refer the reader to what has been already said on the subject of the Hebrew census, in the notes to Num. i. and xxvi., some of the considerations in which will contribute to the elucidation of the present chapter. There have been various opinions as to the sin of David in this transaction, which must certainly have been of a most objectionable appearance, even in the general opinion of the time, as it certainly was in the eyes of God, since we see such a person as Joab-a man by no means of a very tender conscience—giving a most decided opinion as to the sin and danger of such a measure. The common opinion seems to be, that the act of taking a census was in itself culpable, as indicating a sinful pride in the king in contemplating the probable number of his subjects; and, strange as it may seem, this opinion had at first considerable weight in rendering the people in most European countries averse to enumerations of the population, when such things first began to be seriously thought of by the different European governments. The absurdity of this opinion is shown by a simple reference to the fact that, under Moses, two enumerations of the population were taken by the express direction of God himself. The explanation given by Josephus is very little better. It is, that David directed the census, without exacting for the sanctuary the half shekel of poll-tax enjoined by the law of Moses. We have, by anticipation, shown the puerility of this, in the note to Num. i. Neither here nor in 1 Chron. xxi. is there any mention of the half shekel, which seems only to have been required at the first census, to assist the erection of the tabernacie: and it is besides very unlikely that, if this tax ought to have been levied, David would have omitted to collect it, when he had himself laid aside for the erection of the future temple sums compared with which the result of such a collection would have been a mere trifle. Therefore, although we believe this collection did not necessarily accompany a census; yet if it did, it is impossible to prove that he did not, or to find any reason why he should not, direct it to be levied. We therefore concur in the explanation which is now usually given by the best Biblical scholars, and which is thus stated by Horne (Introduction,' vol. ii. p. 615, edit. 1834). "At the time referred to, David probably coveted an extension of empire; and having, through the suggestion of an adversary, given way to this evil disposition, he could not well look to God for help, and therefore wished to know whether the thousands of Israel and Judah might be deemed equal to the conquest which he meditated. His design was to force all the Israelites into military service, and engage in the contests which his ambition had in view; and as the people might resist this census, soldiers were employed to make it, who might not only put down resistance, but also suppress any disturbances that might arise." See the same view more fully exhibited in Michaelis's 'Commentaries,' art. clxxiv. 20. "Bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.”—The latter clause clearly denotes that absolute and humiliating prostration at the feet which Oriental kings are still in the habit of exacting, and which is often mentioned in Scripture as a manifestation of the most profound respect, or earnest supplication. This posture, as still in use, is exhibited in the figure of the prostrate Arab in our woodcut. He is at his devotions; this being also one of the postures of Mohammedan prayer. In this posture the weight of the body is supported on the knees and arms, and the face placed upon the ground, as the text expresses. It is also the attitude of a person who throws himself at the feet of another, to kiss his feet or the hem of his garment. Next to this, in intensity of reverence, is the bowing with the face "towards" (not "upon") the ground. In this posture, as still exhibited in the East, the saluting person remains on his legs, but bends his body very low, usually so as to form a right angle, so that the face is of course Sterally "towards the ground." In this posture the hands are either crossed upon the breast, or rest upon or near the knees, as exhibited in two figures of our cut. We believe that the hands on the knees is rather the more abased posture of the two; it has been mentioned, in the note to Gen. xviii. 2, as the ordinary posture of respect in the presence of the Persian king, and as being the third of the Mohammedan attitudes of devotion. Another posture is, with the body more slightly inclined, and the hands crossed on the bosom; this too is an attitude of devotion with the leading sect of Mohammedans; aud it is also the posture of a slave in the presence of his master. The more common bow, as an expression of courtesy, or a general indication of respect, consists in a gentle inclination of the body, the right hand being laid upon the heart. To one, or to both, of the last-described postures, we may probably refer the "bowingstooping-the obeisance," and other more simple indications of respect, which the Scriptures mention. Bending the knee is also mentioned in the Bible, among the attitudes of respect and homage; but kneeling, as a posture of reverence and supplication, is too well known among ourselves to require pictorial illustration. PERSIAN BOWING BEFORE THE KING.-FROM MORIER'S 'SECOND JOURNEY TO PERSIA. OF THE KINGS, COMMONLY CALLED, THE THIRD BOOK OF THE KINGS. CHAPTER I. 1 Abishag cherisheth David in his extreme age. 5 Adonijah, David's darling, usurpeth the kingdom. 11 By the counsel of Nathan, 15 Bath-sheba moveth the king, 22 and Nathan secondeth her. 28 Davil reneweth his oath to Bath-sheba. 32 Solomon, by David's appointment, being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people triumph. 41 Jonathan bringing these news, Adonijah's guests fly. 50 Adonijah, flying to the horns of the altar, upon his good behaviour is dismissed by Solomon. OW king David was old and 'stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. 2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin and let her stand before the king, and let her 'cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. 3 So they sought for a fair damsel through out all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not. 5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will 'be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. 7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. 8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah_the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. 9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: 10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not. 11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of 10Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? 12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. 13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? 14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and "confirm thy words. 15 And Bath-sheba went in unto the 1 Heb. entered into days. Heb. Let them seek. 8 Heb. a damsel, a virgin. 4 Heb, be a cherisher unto him. Hab. from his days. 7 Heb. his words were with Joab. Heb. helped after Adonijah, Or, the well Rogel. 11 Heb. fill up. 5 Heb. reign. 102 Sam, 3, 4 king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. 16 And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, "What wouldest thou? 17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sít upon my throne. 18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: 19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. 20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted "offenders. 22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. "into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29 And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30 Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31 Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever. 32 ¶ And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. 33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: 16. 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. 35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. 23 And they told the king, saying, Be-36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada anhold Nathan the prophet. And when he swered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD was come in before the king, he bowed God of my lord the king say so too. himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? 25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, "God save king Adonijah. 26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. 37 As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David. 38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. 39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. 40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with "pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the carth rent with the sound of them. 41 And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, 14 Heb. Let king Adonijah live, 1 Heb, which belongeth to me. 15 Heb, before the king. PROCESSION OF A PASHA OF EGYPT AND HIS GREAT OFFICERS OF STATE, TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROCLAMATION OF SOLOMON-CASSAS. Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar? 42 And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came : and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. 43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. 44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule: 45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard. 46 And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom. 47 And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. 48 And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it. 49 And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way. 50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. 51 And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword. 52 And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die. 53 So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house. |