1 Kings 1:53

_SO KING SOLOMON SENT, AND THEY BROUGHT HIM DOWN FROM THE ALTAR. AND HE CAME AND BOWED HIMSELF TO KING SOLOMON: AND SOLOMON SAID UNTO HIM, GO TO THINE HOUSE._ They brought him down - from the ledge around the altar on which he was standing. HE ... BOWED HIMSELF - i:e., did homage to Solomon as king....

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...

Verse 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 behaviour. _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 of some medicine, which is likened to that which _goes out of the mine of_ _the noble animal_. They affirm that in it there is a _force_ and _virtue_ which restores and increases the _natural heat_. As to its disposition, they say it is like _youth_ itself, and contains an equal and temperate complexion.

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

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 should only regard the affairs of his family, and not trouble himself with those of the kingdom and state, Abarbinel fancies, that because Solomon said, that if he showed himself to be a worthy man, or a man of fortitude and valour, that Adonijah thought that his meaning was, that he should go before him as a man of war, and minister to him; which made him so ready to come and stand before him; in which he was mi...

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 ...

_and they brought him down from the altar_ The expression refers perhaps to the steps on which Adonijah must have gone up to cling to the sides of the altar, or it may be to the elevation of the whole situation as the altar stood before the ark on Mt. Zion. _bowed himself_ The same word as in 47 is used of David's religious reverence. So Adonijah did homage to Solomon as his lord; and by pardoning the chief offender the new king shewed the rest of Adonijah's adherents that they need not despair of forgiveness. Thus he would be most likely to change them from foes to friends....

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)....