2 Samuel 12:24

SOLOMON IS BORN. (Sa2 12:24-25)

Bath-sheba . . . bare a son, and he called his name Solomon--that is, "peaceable." But Nathan gave him the name of Jedediah, by command of God, or perhaps only as an expression of God's love. This love and the noble gifts with which he was endowed, considering the criminality of the marriage from which he sprang, is a remarkable instance of divine goodness and grace.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Sa 12:24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

Ver. 24. And David comforted Bathsheba his wife.] Till now she was called the wife of Uriah: but now that God had pardoned their sin, ratified their marriage, and otherwise sealed up his love to them, she is called David’s wife: and he, as a kind husband, comforteth her with the comforts wherewith himself had been comforted of God, {2Co 1:4} which was doubtless the effect of his seven days fasting: as was also his so patient and peaceable bearing the child’s death, to the admiration of his counsellors, who knew not the power of prayer, nor "the peace of God passing all understanding," that followeth thereupon. {Php 4:6-7} These are riddles to the unsanctified.

And she bare a son.] Yea, sons, and David’s best sons came of Bathsheba because they were the fruit of their humiliation. Nathan, of whom came Christ, {Luk 3:23; Luk 3:31} is ranked before Solomon, {2Sa 5:14 1Ch 3:5; 1Ch 14:4} but Solomon was the elder brother by Bathsheba, and a notable type of Christ, both in his name and in his reign. This may be for comfort to such as have leaped rashly into marriage; yea, have entered into that holy ordinance of God, through the devil’s portal, if for that they be afterwards soundly humbled.

And he called his name Solomon,] i.e., Peaceable: a type of Christ triumphant, as David had been of Christ militant, saith one. {a} The child of adultery died soon, so did not Solomon. This, saith another, {b} shadowed forth the old man which must die in the members of Christ, and the new man which must live unto God.

And the Lord loved him.] This was a high privilege and portion enough: together with God’s love cometh a cornucopia of blessings.

{a} Diod.

{b} Borrh.

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.

2Sa 12:24-25. And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife — Who, no doubt, was deeply afflicted for the loss of her child, and dejected for her sin. It is observable, however, that there is not one word said to her in all this relation, either concerning her guilt or her punishment. She was punished in the calamities that befell David; who enticed her, and not she him, to commit the foul sin of adultery, and was innocent in the murder of Uriah. She bare a son, and he called his name Solomon — Probably his mother, with the consent of David, gave him this name as soon as he was born. And the Lord loved him — That is, the Lord declared to David, probably by Nathan the prophet, that he loved this his son, notwithstanding the just cause which David had given to God to withdraw his love from him and his. Perhaps after his great humiliation, Nathan was sent to comfort him with this good hope, that God would have a peculiar regard for this son, and make him very famous. Such is the wonderful goodness of God to truly penitent sinners, who manifest the sincerity of their repentance by an humble submission to whatsoever punishments God sees fit to inflict upon them, (as David did to the death of the former child,) and thereby induce that goodness to show them still further mercy, He sent — Namely, God did; by Nathan, and he called his name Jedidiah — That is, beloved of Jehovah. Because of the Lord — Either because of the Lord’s love to him, or because the Lord commanded him so to do. This name, however, was merely significative, being only intended to express to the child’s parents what they might expect; for we find him always called Solomon in the Scriptures.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

BIRTH OF SOLOMON, 2Sa_12:24-25.

24. Called his name Solomon — שׁלמה, Shelomoh, the peaceful; so called because his reign was to be a peaceful one, (compare 1Ch_22:9,) and also because, being peculiarly associated in prophecy with “David’s greater Son,” in whom the throne of his kingdom should be established forever, (comp. 2Sa_7:13,) he was to be a figure of that Messiah who is the Prince of Peace.

The Lord loved him — Did not smite him as he did the other child of Bathsheba, but let him live, and bestowed upon him remarkable favour.

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

12:24 Even after Uriah’s death, Bathsheba was still called Uriah’s wife (12:9; see also Matt 1:6). Only here is she called David’s wife. • Solomon: Pronounced Shelomoh in Hebrew, it probably means “his peace,” from the Hebrew shalom. It might mean “his replacement”; cp. Shelemiah (Jer 36:14, “Yahweh has provided compensation”) and Shelumiel (Num 1:6, “God [is] my compensation”); both contain the root shelem (“replacement, compensation”).

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

To wit, the Lord, 1 Chron. 22:9.

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

Verse 24. David comforted Bath-sheba] His extraordinary attachment to this beautiful woman was the cause of all his misfortunes.

He called his name Solomon] This name seems to have been given prophetically, for שלמה sholomah signifies peaceable, and there was almost uninterrupted peace during his reign.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(24) Called his name Solomon.—The birth of Solomon could hardly have taken place until after the events mentioned in 2Sa_12:26-31, since it is not likely that the siege of Rabbah would have occupied two years. It is without doubt mentioned here (after the custom of Scripture narrative) to close the story of Bath-sheba in its proper connection. The birth of that son who should succeed to the kingdom, and through whom should pass the line to the Messiah, was too important to be overlooked.

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

24, 25. The birth of Solomon

24. he called his name Solomon] The name was given at the time of circumcision (Luk_1:59; Luk_2:21). The Hebrew form of the name is Shĕlômôh, the Sept. Salômôn, which by the time of the N.T. had become shortened to the familiar Solomon. It signifies peaceable, and was given him in anticipation of the peace and quietness promised to Israel in his reign in contrast to his father’s wars (1Ch_22:9). Solomon’s birth is naturally related as the sequel to the preceding narrative, though in all probability it did not take place until some four or five years afterwards. See Introd. ch. IV. § 3, p. 26, and note on ch. 2Sa_5:14.

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 he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet,.... Either David did; he sent by him to Bathsheba, to acquaint her with the name of the child, that it was to be Solomon; which is not so likely: or "he, David, delivered it into the hand of Nathan the prophet"; to educate it, instruct it, and bring it up in the nurture of the Lord; or rather the Lord sent a message by Nathan the prophet to David, that he loved Solomon:

and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord: that is, David also called him by this name, because of the love of the Lord unto him; for Jedidiah signifies "the beloved of the Lord"; a name and character which well agrees with the Messiah, Solomon's antitype, Mat 3:17.

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

Solomon - Or “peaceable,” a name given to him at his circumcision. Compare Luk 1:59. The giving of the name Jedidiah, by the Lord through Nathan, signified God’s favor to the child, as in the cases of Abraham, Sarah, and Israel. The name Jedidiah (which contains the same root as the name David, namely, “to love”) indicated, prophetically, what God’s Providence brought about actually, namely, the succession and glorious reign of Solomon over Israel.

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

Wife. She had partaken in his affliction and repentance. The Jews say that David told her the divine oracle, which is mentioned [in] 3 Kings i. 13, 17., that her next son should succeed to the throne. Salien (the year of the world 3000) supposes that he was conceived in May, two months after the death of Bethsabee’s first-born, and came into the world about he time of the Passover. --- Solomon, "the pacific." See 1 Paralipomenon xxii. 9. (Menochius)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

David comforted Bathsheba; who was now much dejected, both for her former sin, which she truly repented of, as may be gathered from Pro 31:1-3, &c., and for the loss of that child which was very dear to her, and which might seem to be the only tie of David’s affection to her; which being now dead, she might think that David would utterly cast her off, and leave her to that shame and punishment which she had deserved. Went in unto her, to wit, into her chamber or bed. The Lord loved him, i.e. the Lord declared to David that he loved his son, notwithstanding the just cause which David had given to God to alienate his affections from him.

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

He called his name Solomon. It is rashly assumed that Solomon"s birth followed next in order after that of the deceased child. More probably there was a long interval of time, and son after son was born, with little increase of happiness to the family polluted by Amnon"s sin and troubled by its miserable consequences. While we must not lay too great stress upon Solomon calling himself "a little child" (1Ki_3:7) after his accession, yet it forbids our believing that he was more than just grown up, It was the remarkable ability of Solomon, his goodness and precocious talent, which made him so great a comfort to his parents, and which received Jehovah"s seal of approval in the name Jedidiah. This name would scarcely be given him until his good and great qualities were developing; and as it was a sort of indication that he was the chosen and elect son of David, and therefore the next king, we shall probably be right in believing that this second mission of Nathan, and this mark of Divine favour to David"s youngest child, did not take place until after Absalom"s death, possibly not until Solomon was ten or twelve years of age. The name Solomon means "the peaceful," and answers to the German Friedrich. It was given to the child in recognition that David"s wars were now over, and that the era of quiet had begun, which was to be consecrated to the building of Jehovah"s temple. It was the name given to the infant at his birth, and was a name of hope. Alas! this peace was to be rudely broken by the rebellion of the son whom David, in vain expectation and with all a father"s pride, had named Absalom, "his father"s peace.

Vers. 24, 25. (JERUSALEM.)

The birth of Solomon.

(References: 1Ki 1-11 1Ch 22-29 2Ch 1-9.; Psalm (Pro_1:1; Ecc_1:1; Son_1:1) Where a while ago a dead child lay amidst signs of grief, there now lies a living child amidst signs of gladness. In him David sees a gift of God, an answer to prayer which seemed to be denied, "a pledge of pardon and a sign of hope." In him we see one who was destined to become the wisest of men, the most glorious of monarchs Solomon (whose name occurs only here and (2Sa_5:14, in this book)

The lofty light, endow"d With sapience so profound, if truth be truth, That with a ken of such wide amplitude No second hath arisen. (Dante, "Par.," 10.)

Notice:

1. His parentage. David, Bathsheba; from whom he inherited physical strength and beauty, mental and moral qualities, a piercing insight, large heartedness, skill in ruling, sensuous susceptibilities, etc., royal rank and privileges. "The history of a man"s childhood is the description of his parents" environment" (Carlyle).

2. His birth. After David"s fall, repentance, and forgiveness, and the death of his unnamed infant; (see, however, 1Ch_3:5) when Rabbah had fallen, peace was established, and prosperity abounded. The time was propitious.

3. His name. (1Sa_1:20) "And he called his name Solomon" (equivalent to "the man of peace," "pacific," Friedrich), "because he regarded his birth as a pledge that he should now become a partaker again of the peace of God" (Keil); or perhaps in allusion to the peaceful condition of the kingdom and "from the wish that peace might be allotted him as a gift of God, in contrast with the wars of his father"s life"; (Erdmann 2Sa_7:12; 1Ch_22:9) "And Jehovah loved him," and spared his life, in contrast with that of the dead child. "And he Jehovah sent by the hand through Nathan the prophet; and he Nathan called his name Jedid-jah Jedid equivalent to "David," "darling;" "beloved of Jab," his own name being combined with that of Jehovah, because of the Lord," who loved him; "a practical declaration on the part of Jehovah that the Lord loved Solomon, from which David could and was intended to discern that the Lord had blessed his marriage with Bathsheba. Jedidiah, therefore, was not actually adopted as Solomon"s name" (Keil). "The pious father, in his happiness, entreated the oracle, through Nathan, to confer on the newborn child some name of lofty import, and Solomon, as his parents called him, received through the prophet the glorious additional name of Jedidiah. The sadness of the fate of his first child rendered the omens under which the second stepped into its place the more auspicious; and we can easily understand that of all his sons this one became the dearest" (Ewald).

4. His education; or the influences that went to form his character; of Nathan, to whom it may have been entrusted; of David, during his declining years; of Bathsheba; (2Sa_11:3) of a home and court where polygamy prevailed; of all the learning of the age; of the revolt of Absalom, and other public events. "A shepherd life, like his father"s, furnished, we may believe, a better education for his kingly calling. Born to the purple, there was the inevitable risk of a selfish luxury. Cradled in liturgies, trained to think chiefly of the magnificent "palace" of Jehovah, of which he was to be the builder, there was the danger first of an aesthetic formalism, and then of ultimate indifference" (Smith, "Dict. of the Bible").

5. His prospects, after the death of Absalom, if not even before (2Sa_7:12; 1Ch_22:9; 1Ki_1:13) his accession and eminence.

6. His closing years.

7. His prefigurement, not in personal character but royal office, of "the Prince of Peace" "We must not confine our view to David"s personal life and reign. After we have seen him fallen and suffering for sin, we must see him rising again and reviving in a more glorious reign, in Solomon his son, who began to reign while David his father was still alive, in order that the continuity might be more clearly marked. And above all, we must contemplate him as culminating upward and attaining the climax of his glory, which God had revealed to him, and for which he yearned with devout aspiration, in Christ, the Divine David and the Son of David, the Solomon, the Jedidiab, the Builder of the Church visible on earth and glorified in heaven" (Wordsworth). D.

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

His wife - Who was now much dejected, both for her former sin, and for the loss of the child. Loved him - That is, the Lord declared to David, that he loved his son, notwithstanding the just cause David had given to God to alienate his affections from him.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

went in to her, and slept with her

The phrase "went in to her" is a graphic description of David having sex with his wife. These two phrases have the same meaning and are used together to emphasize that they slept together. AT: "slept with her" (See: Parallelism)

he sent word through Nathan the prophet

Here "word" refers to a message that Yahweh told Nathan to tell David. AT: "he sent Nathan to tell him" (See: Metonymy)

Jedidiah

This is another name for David's son Solomon, which Yahweh chose for him. (See: How to Translate Names)

translationWords

comfort

Bathsheba

had relations with

name

Solomon

love

send

word

prophet

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.