1 Kings 1:51

_AND IT WAS TOLD SOLOMON, SAYING, BEHOLD, ADONIJAH FEARETH KING SOLOMON: FOR, LO, HE HATH CAUGHT HOLD ON THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR, SAYING, LET KING SOLOMON SWEAR UNTO ME TO DAY THAT HE WILL NOT SLAY HIS SERVANT WITH THE SWORD._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

32-53 The people expressed great joy and satisfaction in the elevation of Solomon. Every true Israelite rejoices in the exaltation of the Son of David. Combinations formed upon evil principles will soon be dissolved, when self-interest calls another way. How can those who do evil deeds expect to have good tidings? Adonijah had despised Solomon, but soon dreaded him. We see here, as in a glass, Jesus, the Son of David and the Son of God, exalted to the throne of glory, notwithstanding all his enemies. His kingdom is far greater than that of his father David, and therein all the true people of God cordially rejoice. The prosperity of his cause is vexation and terror to his enemies. No horns of the altar, nor forms of godliness, nor pretences to religion, can profit those who will not submit to His authority, and accept of his salvation; and if their submission be hypocritical, they shall p...

EXPOSITION THE REVOLT OF ADONIJAH AND THE ACCESSION OF SOLOMON.—The first chapter of this book is occupied with the accession of Solomon and with the circumstances which preceded, marked, and followed that event. The author, or compiler, evidently considered that his work properly began with the reign of Israel's third king, and David's illness and death are only introduced into the narrative because they necessitated a hasty and premature coronation of Solomon, and exercised an important influence on the beginning of his reign (1 Kings 2:1). In the natural order of events, Solomon would not have succeeded until his father's death, but Adonijah's attempt to possess himself of the kingdom required the immediate elevation of Sol

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 favour, nor did he think his life safe, unless Solomon promised with an oath, that he would not take it away....

2. THE ANOINTING OF SOLOMON AND ADONIJAH'S SUBMISSION CHAPTER 1:28-53 _ 1. The renewed promise to Bath-sheba (1 Kings 1:28)_ 2. The anointing of Solomon commanded (1 Kings 1:32) 3. Solomon made king (1 Kings 1:38) 4. The consternation of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:41) 5. Adonijah's fear and submission (1 Kings 1:50) Bath-sheba had withdrawn while Nathan was before the king. She is called back and David once more assures her that Solomon her son should reign after him. Then David commands that Solomon

LAST DAYS OF DAVID AND ACCESSION OF SOLOMON. This chapter with the following has many analogies with the court history of David (2 Samuel 11-20). The narrative bears every sign of an authentic account of actual events, told with complete impartiality, and without any attempt to comment favourably or otherwise on the events related. David is represented as a very aged man nursed by his youngest wife, Abishag the Shunammite (1 Kings 1:3). Her beauty is especially noticed as it may have caused the death of David's son, Adonijah. Shunem, her native place, was a slope overlooking the plain of Esdraelon near Jezreel, and she is the Shulammite in the Song of Songs (Ca. 1 Kings 6:13). The pivot around which all revolves is the succession. The chief claimant was Adonijah the son of Haggith ...

_Let king Solomon swear unto me to day_ The word translated _to day_signifies rather -first of all," i.e. before I will venture to come away from my place of safety. The same word is found twice in the narrative of the sale of Esau's birthright, Genesis 25:31; Genesis 25:33. When Esau has asked for pottage, Jacob says "Sell me first of all (A.V. this day) thy birthright" and afterwards "Swear to me first of all....

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

AN INTRIGUE FOR THE SUCCESSION This chapter relates Adonijah's attempt to obtain the succession, its defeat through the agency of Nathan, and the enthronement of Solomon. The history contained in it is omitted in 1 Ch, where, however, mention is made of Solomon's having been crowned not once only but twice (1 Chronicles 29:22). Probably the second occasion corresponds to what is related in 1 Kings 1:39 (cp. 1 Chronicles 29:24 with 1 Kings 1:53)....

GOD’S LESSONS FROM HISTORY 1 KINGS _PHILIP SMITH_ ABOUT THE BOOKS OF 1 KINGS AND 2 KINGS AUTHOR We do not know who wrote the books. Some people say that Jeremiah did. He lived just before Jerusalem’s enemies overcame the city. 2 Kings 24:18-25 is the same as Jeremiah chapter 52. There is nothing about Jeremiah in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings. However, Jeremiah went to Egypt. 2 Kings ends with the events in Babylon. An unknown *prophet in Babylon probably wrote both 1 Kings and 2 Kings. The writer or writers used a lot of information from other books. These books probably included Isaiah, Jeremiah and Chronicles. The book refers to an unknown book called the ‘Book of the acts of Solomon.’ It also mentions the ‘Books of the chronicles of the kings of *Israel and *Judah’. (A chronic