1 Kings 2:24

24 Now therefore 1as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, 2as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today."

1 Kings 2:24 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:24

Now therefore, as the Lord liveth
Which is another oath; and one may easily perceive hereby in what a temper and disposition Solomon was, how warm, earnest, and vehement, how resolute against the petition, and how determined he was to punish Adonijah and his confederates:

which hath established me, and set me upon the throne of David my
father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised;
who had placed him on his father's throne, and established him there, in spite of all his enemies, and had given him a firm and stable kingdom, which was not to be shaken and subverted by the power and policy of conspirators, according to the promise of God by Nathan, ( 2 Samuel 7:11-13 ) ;

Adonijah shall be put to death this day;
both for his former conspiracy, he only having had a reprieve, and which was to continue on his good behaviour, ( 1 Kings 1:51-53 ) , and for his fresh attempt in forming treasonable schemes to ascend the throne if possible; wherefore, being a dangerous man, and no longer to be trusted, Solomon was determined to dispatch him at once, and being established in his kingdom, he had nothing to fear from those in the conspiracy with him.

1 Kings 2:24 In-Context

22 King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah."
23 Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, "God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life!
24 Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today."
25 So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.
26 And to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your estate, for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because you shared in all my father's affliction."

Cross References 2

  • 1. See Ruth 3:13
  • 2. 2 Samuel 7:11, 13; 1 Chronicles 22:10
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.