1 Kings 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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(42) Jonathan the son of Abiathar.—See 2Samuel 15:27; 2Samuel 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 2Samuel 18:27—possibly as a kind of omen of good fortune.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:32-53 The people expressed great joy and satisfaction in the elevation of Solomon. Every true Israelite rejoices in the exaltation of the Son of David. Combinations formed upon evil principles will soon be dissolved, when self-interest calls another way. How can those who do evil deeds expect to have good tidings? Adonijah had despised Solomon, but soon dreaded him. We see here, as in a glass, Jesus, the Son of David and the Son of God, exalted to the throne of glory, notwithstanding all his enemies. His kingdom is far greater than that of his father David, and therein all the true people of God cordially rejoice. The prosperity of his cause is vexation and terror to his enemies. No horns of the altar, nor forms of godliness, nor pretences to religion, can profit those who will not submit to His authority, and accept of his salvation; and if their submission be hypocritical, they shall perish without remedy.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Jonathan had acted in a similar capacity, as a carrier of intelligence, in the time of Absalom's attempt 2 Samuel 15:36; 2 Samuel 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 1 Kings 1:52; Proverbs 12:4.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

41-49. Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating—The loud shouts raised by the populace at the joyous proclamation at Gihon, and echoed by assembled thousands, from Zion to En-rogel, were easily heard at that distance by Adonijah and his confederates. The arrival of a trusty messenger, who gave a full detail of the coronation ceremony [1Ki 1:43-48], spread dismay in their camp. The wicked and ambitious plot they had assembled to execute was dissipated, and every one of the conspirators consulted his safety by flight.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

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, Proverbs 12:4; and therefore a happy man, and hast good news for thyself and us. Compare 2 Samuel 18:27.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 2 Samuel 18:27; the same phrase is rendered "a worthy man", 1 Kings 1:52.

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

Geneva Study Bible

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 {q} good tidings.

(q) He praised Jonathan, thinking to have heard good news but God wrought things contrary to his expectation, and so beat down his pride.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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 2 Samuel 15:27; 2 Samuel 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 Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10 it is used in the description of ‘the virtuous woman’; also in this chapter, 1 Kings 1:52, we have the word translated worthy; and in 1 Chronicles 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 Isaiah 52:7.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 42. - And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest [Cf. 2 Samuel 15:36; 2 Samuel 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 Proverbs 12:4) would be nearer the mark. "Valiant" is clearly out of place] and bringest good tidings. [A similar expression 2 Samuel 18:27. It was evidently a familiar saying. The idea, "a good man will bring good news" corresponds with that of the proverb of 1 Samuel 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.] 1 Kings 1:42

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The noise of this shouting reached the ears of Adonijah and his guests, when the feast was just drawing to a close. The music, therefore, and the joyful acclamations of the people must have been heard as far off as the fountain of Rogel. When Joab observed the sound of the trumpet, knowing what these tones must signify, he asked "wherefore the sound of the city in an uproar" (i.e., what does it mean)? At that moment Jonathan the son of Abiathar arrived (see 2 Samuel 15:27; 2 Samuel 17:17.). Adonijah called out to him: "Come, for thou art a brave man and bringest good tidings;' suppressing all anxiety with these words, as he knew his father's will with regard to the succession to the throne, and the powerful and influential friends of Solomon (see 1 Kings 1:5, 1 Kings 1:19, 1 Kings 1:26).