Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 15:5
Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
5. save only in the matter of Urijah the Hittite ] See 2Sa 11:4; 2Sa 11:15. This clause is omitted in the LXX. Time would soften down the offence which David committed in numbering the people, so that the compiler of the narrative before us can pass it by in giving expression to the high estimate which was sure to be entertained of the great king David.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 5. Save only in the matter of Uriah] Properly speaking, this is the only flagrant fault or crime in the life of David. It was a horrible offense, or rather a whole system of offenses. See the notes on 2 Sam. 11, and 12.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Quest. How is this true, seeing David sinned in the matter of Nabal, 1Sa 25, and Achish, 1Sa 27, and Mephibosheth, and his indulgence to his children, Adonijah, Amnon, and Absalom, and in the numbering of the people? Answ. This and the like phrases are not to be understood as exclusive of every sinful action, but only of a sinful course or state, or of an habitual and continued apostacy from God, or from his ways, as the very phrase of turning aside from God, or from his commands, doth constantly imply, as appears from Exo 32:8; Deu 9:12,16; 1Sa 8:3; Psa 78:57; Isa 44:20; 1Ti 1:6; 5:15, &c. And thus it is most true. For Davids other sins were either sudden and transient acts, proceeding from human infirmity, and extraordinary temptations, and soon repented of and blotted out, as in the cases of Nabal and Achish; or mistakes of his judgment, which was not fully convinced of the sinfulness of such actions, as in the other cases alleged; whereas that which concerned Uriahs wife was a designed and studied sin, long continued in, defended with a succession of other sins, presumptuous, and scandalous to his government and to the true religion, which he so eminently professed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord,…. With respect to worship: and turned not aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life; especially in matters of religion, nor even in his moral walk and conversation, deliberately, studiously, and with design:
save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite; the killing of him, and other sins which led on to it, and were in connection with it; Abarbinel thinks, because the affair of Bathsheba is not mentioned, that was not reckoned to David as a sin; but no doubt it was, and is included here.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) Save only in the matter of Uriah.In this passage alone do we find this qualification of the praise of David. In the Vatican MS. and other MSS. of the LXX. it is omitted. Possibly it is a marginal note which has crept into the text, or a comment of the compiler of the book on the language of the annals from which he drew.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Save only in the matter of Uriah This was David’s great, crying offence, which drew down on him the judgments of God, and is ever mentioned to his shame. But he was guilty of other sins as the neglect to properly discipline his sons, the primal cause of Absalom’s and Adonijah’s ruin; his falsehoods before Achish, (1Sa 27:10😉 and his sin in numbering Israel. 2Sa 24:10. But all these are, in comparison with his guilt in adultery with Bathsheba, and in the murder of Uriah, as sins of infirmity and ignorance. “This great, presumptuous sin,” says Bishop Sanderson, “standeth up as a pillar or monument erected to his perpetual shame in that particular, for all succeeding generations to take warning and example by.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 15:5 Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
Ver. 5. And turned not aside from anything, ] i.e., Of set purpose, against conseience, with any allowance and approbation. He had his other faults and failings, as his lies to Jonathan, 1Sa 20:6 to Ahimelech, 1Sa 21:2 to Achish, 1Sa 27:10 his unkindness to Mephibosheth, his polygamy, his fond sparing of his untoward sons, his numbering the people, &c. But as great virtues not sweetened with sincerity, are no ornament to men; so great infirmities not soured with hypocrisy, are no great deformities to them: those God acknowledgeth not; these he imputeth not.
Save only in the matter of Uriah.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
David: 1Ki 15:3, 1Ki 14:8, 2Ki 22:2, 2Ch 34:2, Psa 119:6, Luk 1:6, Act 13:22, Act 13:36
save only: 2Sa 11:4, 2Sa 11:15-17, 2Sa 12:9, 2Sa 12:10, Psa 51:1, *title
Reciprocal: Deu 17:20 – he turn 1Sa 25:28 – evil hath 2Sa 23:39 – Uriah 1Ki 3:6 – according 1Ki 3:14 – as thy 1Ki 9:4 – And if thou 1Ki 22:43 – he turned 2Ki 8:19 – for David 2Ki 18:3 – according 2Ki 23:25 – that turned 1Ch 21:7 – And God was displeased with this thing 2Ch 31:20 – wrought Psa 44:18 – heart Psa 78:72 – according Psa 132:10 – thy servant Pro 6:33 – and his Mat 1:6 – her
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 15:5. Save only in the matter of Uriah This, and the like phrases, are not to be understood as exclusive of every sinful action, but only of an habitual and continued apostacy from God, as the very phrase of turning aside from God, or from his commands, doth generally imply: and thus it is most true; for Davids other sins were either sudden and transient acts, soon repented of and blotted out, as in the cases of Nabal and Achish, or mistakes of his judgment, which was not fully convinced of the sinfulness of such actions; whereas that which concerned Uriahs wife was a designed and studied sin, long continued in, defended with a succession of other sins, presumptuous and scandalous to his government, and to the true religion.