1 Kings 1:51

51 It was told Shlomo, saying, Behold, Adoniyahu fears king Shlomo; for, behold, he has laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Shlomo swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.

1 Kings 1:51 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 1:51

And it was told Solomon
By some of his courtiers:

saying, behold, Adonijah feareth King Solomon;
lest he should take away his life:

for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar;
which was the last resort of the guilty when they despaired of mercy otherwise:

saying, let King Solomon swear unto me this day that he will not slay
his servant with the sword;
he owns Solomon to be king, and himself his subject and servant; this no doubt he did to conciliate his favour, nor did he think his life safe, unless Solomon promised with an oath, that he would not take it away.

1 Kings 1:51 In-Context

49 All the guests of Adoniyahu were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.

50 Adoniyahu feared because of Shlomo; and he arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

51 It was told Shlomo, saying, Behold, Adoniyahu fears king Shlomo; for, behold, he has laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Shlomo swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.

52 Shlomo said, If he shall show himself a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the eretz; but if wickedness be found in him, he shall die.

53 So king Shlomo sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and did obeisance to king Shlomo; and Shlomo said to him, Go to your house.