The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 19

the Gxe.ct particulars, and ascribes to the young king his new honours. In Adonijah's " servants" the words of their commander. month it is also e. virtue.I abdication of his Of course it is possible that " the body- claim to the throne and a direct acknow- guard took up the words of Jehoiade. ledgment of the new monarch. But see (Benaiah ?) their captain and repeated them on vers. 1 and 35.) swear unto me to-day with some slight alteration." Rawlinson] [Cf. 2 Sam. xix. 23. This is one of many say1Dg, God [so the Keri The Cethib has passages which show how lightly the Jews "thy God"] ma.ke the name of Solomon esteemed promises in comparison with better than thy no.me and ma.ke his oaths. The sentiment possibly took its throne greater than thy throne [This rise in the oaths sworn by the Divine Being prayer was fulfilled (chap. iii. 12; iv. 21-24]. (Gen. x:xii. 16; xxiv. 7; Exod. xvii.16, &c.), And the king bowed himsel! [in worship. though it is possible, on the other hand, that Cf. Gen. xlvii. 31] upon the bed. these asseverations were made in deference Ver. 48.-And also thus saith the king, to the popular sentiment. Be that as it Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which may, the oath held a much more conspicu- hath given one to sit on my throne this ous e.nd important place in the Jewish than day, mine eyes even seeing it. [These the Christian economy. See Gen. xx.i. 23; le.et words are added because it is quite e.n xxxi. 23; Num. xiv. 2; xn:. 2; Judges xv. exceptional thing for a. king to see his enc- 12; xx.i. 1; 1 Sam. xiv. 28; Jer. v. 2, e.nd, cessor on the throne. J to omit other passages, 1 Kings i. 13 ; ii. 8, Ver. 49.-And a.ll the guests [Heb. called, 23, 42. Even onx Lord, who rebuked the LXX. rX,,Toi] that were with [Heb. to] habit (Matt. v. 34-37; xx:iii 16-22) re- Adonija.h were afraid [Heb. trembled] and spected the adjnxe.tion of Caiaphas, and rose up [LXX. omits) and went every ma.n St. Paul frequently appeals to God (Acts h1s way. [This fear and flight betray a xxvi. 29; 2 Cor, i. 23; xi. 31; Phil. i 8.) consciousness of guilt. They cannot have The Christia.n T<Jligion, as it has gradually believed in the right of primogenitnxe.J begotten a reverence for truth, has made the simple word into a bond] that he will Ver. 50.-And Adonija.h feared because not slay h1s servant [Cf. 11 I will be King," of Solomon and he arose and went and ver. 5.) with the sword [the usual form of caught hold of the horns of the altar. [Cf. capital punishment, eh. ii. 8, 25, 31, 46. chap. ii. 28. Probably the altar of Mollllt Adonijah indirectly confesses that he had Zion, chap. iii. 15; 2 Sam. vi. 17. Though merited deathJ . it is impossible to say positively whether Ver. 51.-And Solomon said [i.e., he re- this 0r the altar a.t Gibeon (chap. iii. 4) or fused to swearJ , If he will Bhew himself a that recently erected on the threshing floor of Are.unah (2 Sam. xxiv. 25) is meant. For worthy man [?~IJ"I'.;!, cf. ~~r:i-~•~. ver. 42], the " horns;• see Exod. xxvii. 2; xxxviii. 2 ; there shall not an h.air of him fall to the and compa.re xxx. 2. They were of shittim earth [i.e., not a single ha.ir shall be injured. (i.e., acacia) wood overlaid with brass, and So.me expression 1 Sam. xiv. 45 ; 2 Sam. served a double purpose. Victims were xiv. 11 ; Acts xxvii. 34. It was evidently a. bouud to them (Pea. cxvili. 27), e.nd blood familiar saying] but if 'Wickedness shall be was put upon them, Exod. xxix. 12. As to round in him, [i.e., if he shall comm.it o.ny the altar as a place of se.nctua.ry, see on fresh crime J he shall die [Heb. nr,n, II then ch!'LP· ii. 28. Evidently a right of sanctuary he shall die," emphatic.] existed amongst both Jews e.nd Gentiles a.t Ver. 53.-So Xing Solomon sent and they the time of the Exodus, e.nd probably from brought him down [The altar wus elevated: time immemorial. It is referred to in Exod. probably a slope, not steps (Exod. xx. 26) :xxi. 14, but it was much circumscribed by led to it] from [Heb. from upon. He we.s the appointment of the cities of refuge still clinging to it] the altar. And he came (Nwn. xxxv. 10 sqq.) By '' laying hold of and bowed himself to king Solomon [i.e., the horns the offender thereby placed him- me.de obeisance to him e.s king. Cf. vers. self 11.Ilder the protection of the saving and 16, ~3, 31] and Solomon said unto him, !i-elping gra.ce of God" (Biihr, "Symbolik," Go to thine house. This wo.s not a. sen- l. 474) tence of banishment from court, but merely Ver. 51.-And it was told Solomon, say- a. dismissal to e. privnte life, involving a. to.cit ing, Behold Adonija.h feareth Xing Solomon, admonition to live quietly and be thankful for lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of that his life was spared him. " Vade ill the altar, saying, let king Solomon [this domum tuam, ibi quiesce et res tuas age, nee repetition of the title is striking. Both te publicis regni mei 11egotiis imm-isceas" courtiers and criminals haaten to give the (Corn. i\ Lapide).  12 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [ell. I. 1-58.