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12. O house of David. A reference to the various ruling officials who belonged to the royal family. The judicial functions of the state seem to have been taken over largely by the members of the royal house.

In the morning. Apparently one of the best ways for an Eastern ruler to hold the favor of his subjects was to arise in the early hours of the day and go to the city gate (see on Gen. 19:1) to hear the complaints and pleas of those who had been wronged. David’s apparent neglect of this wise procedure opened the way for Absalom’s rebellion (see 2 Sam. 15:2-6), whereas Solomon’s attention to the needs of the people contributed to the king’s fame as a wise man (see 1 Kings 3:16-28). To wait until a later time of the day, when the heat became oppressive, would result in the loss of this opportunity to dispense needed justice to the people (see 2 Sam. 4:5; Eccl. 10:16, 17).

Spoiled. Heb. gazal, “to tear away,” “to seize,” or “to rob.”