1 Kings 1:42

1Ki 1:42 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.

Ver. 42. And bringest good tidings.] So Adonijah would have had it; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish; when they are at the height of their joys and hopes, God oft confoundeth all their devices, and layeth them open to the scorn of the world, and to the anguish of their own guilty hearts.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1:42-49 Solomon was proclaimed as king and warmly welcomed by the people. Adonijah and his followers panicked and fled, aborting the attempted coup.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Hebrew, a man of power.

He praised Jonathan, thinking to have heard comfortable news but God wrought things contrary to his expectation, and so did beat down his pride.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(42) Jonathan the son of Abiathar.—See 2Sa_15:27; 2Sa_17:17-21, where he is named, with Ahimaaz, as a swift runner, fit to be a messenger. It is curious that a similar greeting to his companion Ahimaaz is used by David in 2Sa_18:27—possibly as a kind of omen of good fortune.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

42. Jonathan the son of Abiathar] They had left in the city some who should bring them word of any stir which their doings might cause. Jonathan had discharged the same office of watchman and newsbringer at the time of Absalom’s revolt. See 2Sa_15:27; 2Sa_17:17. But then he was to bring word to David.

a valiant man] Perhaps rather, a worthy man. The same word, which is often translated by ‘valour,’ ‘wealth,’ ‘might,’ is also used of any special excellence. Thus Pro_12:4; Pro_31:10 it is used in the description of ‘the virtuous woman’; also in this chapter, 1Ki_1:52, we have the word translated worthy; and in 1Ch_9:13 it is used of those who were ‘very able men’ for the work of the service of the house of the Lord. In the present case it was not so much a man of valour as of discretion who was needed in the messenger.

and bringest good tidings] The expression is somewhat redundant in the Hebrew, and might be rendered ‘bringest good tidings of good’. The same words are thus translated Isa_52:7.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came,.... Whom his father had left in the city, to observe what passed there, and give him notice of it:

and Adonijah said unto him, come in, for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings; which seems to be not a very wise speech, as if there was a connection between being valiant, and bringing good news, or that the one had any influence upon the other; though perhaps it means no more than a good man, "a man of virtue" (i), as it may be rendered; one that fears sin, as the Targum, and so would report nothing but what was true, and therefore might be depended on; see Sa2 18:27; the same phrase is rendered "a worthy man", Kg1 1:52.

(i) "vir virtutis", Montanus, Vatablus.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Jonathan had acted in a similar capacity, as a carrier of intelligence, in the time of Absalom’s attempt 2Sa 15:36; 2Sa 17:17; but at that time, like his father, he was faithful to David, and “a valiant man,” “a virtuous man,” or “a man of worth.” (See 1Ki 1:52; Pro 12:4.)

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Jonathan it seems was left at Jerusalem for a spy, as he had formerly been under Absalom.

Thou art a valiant man; or,

a man of virtue or worth, as this Hebrew word is used, Pro 12:4; and therefore a happy man, and hast good news for thyself and us. Compare 2Sa 18:27.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

42. Jonathan the son of Abiathar — The fleet messenger that in the time of Absalom’s rebellion had been the bearer of important tidings. See 2Sa_15:27-28; 2Sa_15:36; 2Sa_17:16-21. He announces his tidings most vividly, and with greatest accuracy of detail.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest Cf. 2Sa_15:36 2Sa_17:17. His experience had marked him out for the post of watchman came That he bad not arrived before shows how prompt, and even hurried, had been the measures taken by Solomon"s party and Adonijah said unto him Hebrews and LXX omit "unto him". Come in Heb. come. See on ver. 22. "Come in" suggests the idea of a house or tent, whereas the feast was al fresco; for thou art a valiant man it is Adonijah (not Joab, as Bahr of course by an oversight says) who speaks thus. Perhaps "able," "honest," or "worthy man" (cf. ver. 52; same word in Hebrews; also Pro_12:4) would be nearer the mark. "Valiant" is clearly out of place and bringest good tidings. A similar expression 2Sa_18:27. It was evidently a familiar saying. The idea, "a good man will bring good news" corresponds with that of the proverb of 1Sa_24:13. Adonijah"s misgivings reveal themselves in these words. He fears the worst, but strives to put on a cheerful face and to encourage his guests.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.