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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 1:41-53

We have here, I. The tidings of Solomon's inauguration brought to Adonijah and his party, in the midst of their jollity: They had made an end of eating, and, it should seem, it was a great while before they made an end, for all the affair of Solomon's anointing was ordered and finished while they were at dinner, glutting themselves. Thus those who serve not our Lord Christ, but oppose him, are commonly such as serve their own belly (Rom. 16:18) and made a god of it, Phil. 3:19. Their long... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:50

And Adonijah feared because of Solomon ,.... Lest he should seize him as an usurper and traitor, and put him to death: and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar ; either that which was at Gibeon, where the tabernacle now was; see 1 Kings 3:4 ; so Jarchi; or rather that which was nearest, the altar that David had built in the threshingfloor of Araunah, 2 Samuel 24:25 ; the altar was a sort of asylum, or refuge, for such who had committed any crime worthy of death;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:51

And it was told Solomon ,.... By some of his courtiers: saying, behold, Adonijah feareth King Solomon ; lest he should take away his life: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar ; which was the last resort of the guilty when they despaired of mercy otherwise: saying, let King Solomon swear unto me this day that he will not slay his servant with the sword ; he owns Solomon to be king, and himself his subject and servant; this no doubt he did to conciliate his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:52

And Solomon said, if he will show himself a worthy man ,.... Will behave himself well as a good subject, and be careful not to offend for the future, or appear to be one that fears sin, as the Targum; particularly the crimes of sedition, rebellion, and treason: there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth ; not the least harm should be done him: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die ; that is, if any crime worthy of death be committed by him, or any overt act of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:53

So King Solomon sent, and they brought down Adonijah from the altar ,.... It being built upon an hill, as both that at Gibeon, and in Araunah's threshing floor, were: and he came and bowed himself to King Solomon ; in a way of reverence and subjection, acknowledging him to be king, and himself his subject: and Solomon said to him, go to thine house ; in peace; signifying that he pardoned him, and he might go home, and enjoy his family and substance; and by this intimating that he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 1:50

Adonijah feared - He knew he had usurped the kingdom, and had not his father's consent; and, as he finds now that Solomon is appointed by David, he knows well that the people will immediately respect that appointment, and that his case is hopeless; he therefore took sanctuary, and, fleeing to the tabernacle, laid hold on one of the horns of the altar, as if appealing to the protection of God against the violence of men. The altar was a privileged place, and it was deemed sacrilege to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 1:52

If he will show himself a worthy man - If, from henceforth, he behave well, show himself to be contented, and not endeavor to make partisans, or stir up insurrections among the people, he shall be safe; but if wickedness be found in him - if he act at all contrary to this - he shall die; his blood shall be upon him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 1:53

Go to thine house - Intimating that he should have no place about the king's person, nor under the government. Adonijah must have seen that he stood continually on his good behavior. Friar Bacon's method of restoring and strengthening the Natural Heat "I have read many volumes of the wise: I find few things in physic which restore the natural heat , weakened by dissolution of the innate moisture, or increase of a foreign one. "But certain wise men have tacitly made mention... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 1:50

And Adonijah feared because of Solomon and he arose and went and caught hold of the horns of the altar. [Cf. 1 Kings 2:28 . Probably the altar of Mount Zion, 1 Kings 3:15 ; 2 Samuel 6:17 . Though it is impossible to say positively whether this or the altar at Gibeon ( 2 Samuel 3:4 ) or that recently erected on the threshing floor of Araunah ( 2 Samuel 24:25 ) is meant. For the "horns," see Exodus 27:2 ; Exodus 38:2 ; and compare Exodus 30:2 . They were of shittim ( i.e; ... read more

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