1 Kings 1:40 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Piped with pipes - Some prefer “danced with dances” - a meaning which the Hebrew would give by a change in the pointing, and the alteration of one letter. But the change is unnecessary. (Flutepipes were known to the Israelites 1 Samuel 10:5; they were very ancient in Egypt, and were known also to the Assyrians.

The earth rent - If the present Hebrew text is correct we have here a strong instance of Oriental hyperbole. But it is suspected that there is a slight corruption, and that the verb really used meant “resounded.”

1 Kings 1:40

40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes,f and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.