Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel,
&c.] How to conduct in this affair, which she being a woman, and no doubt surprised and confounded at this relation, might be at a loss what to do; wherefore Nathan, being a wise man, and a faithful friend, offers to give the best advice he could, and desires her attention to it: says he,
that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon;
which would be the usurper's first care to take away, that he might have no rival, and none to disturb him in his government; which step has been often taken by usurpers to secure themselves, see ( Judges 9:5 ) .