1 Kings 1:49

49 When all of Adonijah's guests heard that, they were terrified. So they got up and scattered.

1 Kings 1:49 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 1:49

And all the guests that [were] with Adonijah [were] afraid,
&c.] Though many of them were military men, the general of the army, and the captains thereof, ( 1 Kings 1:19 1 Kings 1:25 ) ; yet they were struck with a panic, their courage failed them, they had no spirit left in them, their hearts became as weak as water; had they exerted themselves according to their character, betaken themselves to arms, and put themselves at the head of their troops in favour of Adonijah, it would have given Solomon and his friends a great deal of trouble; no doubt this panic was of God:

and rose up, and went every man his way;
or to his house, as the Arabic version; on hearing what Jonathan reported, they immediately rose up from table in great haste, and made the best of their way to their houses, that it might not be known that they had been with Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:49 In-Context

47 The royal officials came to give their blessing to our master King David. They said, 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours! May he make Solomon's kingdom greater than yours!' "While King David was sitting on his bed, he bowed in worship.

48 He said, 'I praise the Lord. He is the God of Israel. He has let me live to see my son sitting on my throne today as the next king.' "

49 When all of Adonijah's guests heard that, they were terrified. So they got up and scattered.

50 Adonijah was afraid of what Solomon might do to him. So he went and grabbed hold of the horns that stuck out from the upper corners of the altar for burnt offerings.

51 Then Solomon was told, "King Solomon, Adonijah is afraid of you. He's holding onto the horns of the altar. He says, 'I want King Solomon to take an oath today. I want him to promise that he won't kill me with his sword.' "