1 Kings 1:52

52 And Solomon said, If he is a good man, soothly not an hair of him shall fall into the earth (If he is a good man, truly not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground); but if evil be found in him, he shall die.

1 Kings 1:52 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 1:52

And Solomon said, if he will show himself a worthy man
Will behave himself well as a good subject, and be careful not to offend for the future, or appear to be one that fears sin, as the Targum; particularly the crimes of sedition, rebellion, and treason:

there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth;
not the least harm should be done him:

but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die;
that is, if any crime worthy of death be committed by him, or any overt act of treason, and the like, he should surely be put to death, and find no mercy, notwithstanding the present general pardon. This was very wisely done by Solomon, to begin his reign without shedding blood even of delinquents; and especially of his brother, and his elder brother too; and by granting his life for the future on his good behaviour.

1 Kings 1:52 In-Context

50 And Adonijah dreaded Solomon, and rose up, and went into the tabernacle of the Lord, and he held the horn, or corner, of the altar. (And Adonijah feared Solomon, and he rose up, and went into the Tabernacle, or the Tent, of the Lord, and he held onto the horns, or the corners, of the altar.)

51 And they told to Solomon, and said, Lo! Adonijah dreadeth the king Solomon, and he holdeth the horn, or corner, of the altar (and he holdeth onto the horns, or the corners, of the altar), and said, (Let) King Solomon swear to me today, that he shall not slay his servant with (the) sword.

52 And Solomon said, If he is a good man, soothly not an hair of him shall fall into the earth (If he is a good man, truly not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground); but if evil be found in him, he shall die.

53 Therefore king Solomon sent, and led out Adonijah from the altar; and he entered, and worshipped king Solomon (and he entered, and bowed low before King Solomon); and Solomon said to him, Go into thine house.