1 Kings 1:41-53

C. THE APPREHENSION OF ADONIJAH 1:41-53

While Jerusalem was jubilant at the coronation of a new king, the assembly at En-rogel was filled with fear and apprehension. The two paragraphs of this section deal with (1) the report of Jonathan to the conspirators (1 Kings 1:41-48); and (2) the flight of Adonijah to the altar for safety (1 Kings 1:49-53).

1. THE REPORT OF JONATHAN (1 Kings 1:41-48)

TRANSLATION

(41) Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard, yet they finished eating. But when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, then he said, Why is the noise of the city as an uproar? (42) While he was yet speaking, behold Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, Come in for you are a man of honor, and you bring good news. (43) But Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Not so for our lord King David has made Solomon king. (44) And the king sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride on the king's mule. (45) And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him as king at Gihon. And they have gone up from there rejoicing so that the city is in commotion. That is the sound which you have heard! (46) Moreover Solomon has sat down upon the throne of the kingdom. (47) And also the servants of the king have come to bless our lord King David, saying, May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and his throne greater than your throne. And the king bowed down upon the bed. (48) And also thus said the king: Blessed is the LORD, the God of Israel who has given one today to sit upon my throne, and my eyes are seeing it.

COMMENTS

Adonijah and his guests finished eating, even though they heard the clamor at near-by Gihon.[100] In hushed anxiety they strained their ears in an effort to make some sense out of the sounds. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he raised the question which was on everyone's mind, but which as yet no one had dared to ask: Why is the city in an uproar? (1 Kings 1:41).

[100] En-rogel was seven hundred yards farther south in the Kidron valley. The two spots were out of sight of each other owing to the terrain of the valley, but within ear-shot.

Adonijah had posted a man in Jerusalem to keep an eye on developments there, and at that very moment that manJonathan, son of Abiatharappeared breathless and exhausted at the entrance of the tent. Trying to maintain a cheery and optimistic attitude, Adonijah invited his messenger into the tent with a cliche which may be paraphrased in English as a good man like you always brings good tidings! (1 Kings 1:42). The word verily in KJV is unfortunate as the Hebrew word would be better rendered on the contrary! Jonathan, in effect is saying, I am sorry to disappoint you, but my news is bad and not good. Then he blurted out the key fact: David has made Solomon king! (1 Kings 1:43).

In stunned silence the conspirators listened to the details of the counter coup. In addition to the facts previously related by the author of Kings (1 Kings 1:44-46), Jonathan related how David's servants (probably his chief ministers) had indicated their approval and support of David's action and had, in words similar to those spoken earlier by Benaiah, pronounced their blessing upon the reign of Solomon. In response to their blessing (in reality a prayer) David had bowed himself in worship upon his bed (1 Kings 1:47) and praised God for having allowed him to see his successor upon the throne (1 Kings 1:48).

2. THE FLIGHT OF ADONIJAH (1 Kings 1:49-53)

TRANSLATION

(49) And all the guests of Adonijah feared, and they arose, and each one went his way. (50) And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and he arose and went and seized the horns of the altar. (51) And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and behold he has seized the horns of the altar, saying, Let King Solomon swear to me now that he will not kill his servant with the sword. (52) And Solomon said, If he shall become a man of integrity, a hair of him shall not fall to the ground; but if evil be found in him, he shall die. (53) So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from upon the altar, and he came, and paid homage to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, Go to your house.

COMMENTS

Upon hearing that Solomon had been enthroned, and that he had wide support from both the general public and the officers of state, the guests of Adonijah departed in fear and trembling (1 Kings 1:49). They knew the penalty that could well be theirs for sitting at that treasonous table! Adonijah himself was no less afraid, and hastily made his way to an altar where he hoped he would find sanctuary. The horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50) were small protrusions resembling animal horns on the four corners of the altar. It is uncertain to which altar Adonijah fled. At this time there was an altar on Mt. Zion (2 Samuel 6:17), one at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4) and one recently erected by David on the threshing floor of Araunah (2 Samuel 24:25). By clinging to the horns of the altar, one was placing himself under the helping grace of God.[101] Adonijah's earlier ostentation and boasting ended in cringing.

[101] Although the right of sanctuary is not expressly mentioned in the law, it is implied by Exodus 21:14 (NBC, p. 303).

Word came to Solomon concerning Adonijah's whereabouts. Adonijah refused to leave his place of sanctuary until Solomon swore that he would not execute him. The words of Adonijah in 1 Kings 1:51 are interesting from two respects. First, he addressed Solomon as king which is in effect a recognition of the new monarch. Second, in demanding an oath that Solomon would not slay him, Adonijah is indirectly confessing that his actions merited the death penalty.

Solomon responded to Adonijah with a simple promise (not an oath). As long as Adonijah proved himself to be a loyal subject (lit., a son of integrity), he would have nothing to fear from Solomon; but if he committed any fresh crime he would be executed (1 Kings 1:52). In view of the fact that Solomon had granted a conditional pardon to him, Adonijah was persuaded to come down from upon the altar to which he was still clinging. The words come down from upon imply that the altar was elevated. A ramp rather than steps would have led up to it (cf. Exodus 20:26). Adonijah was brought before Solomon, to whom he rendered homage as king. Solomon had little to say to his former rival. He simply instructed him to go to his house (1 Kings 1:53). While withholding punishment justly deserved, Solomon still felt it was necessary to banish Adonijah from the court to private life.