1 Kings 1:51

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.

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 Therefore all that were called of Adonijah to the feast, were afeared, and rose up, and each man went into his way. (And so all who were called by Adonijah to the feast were afraid, and they rose up, and each man went on his way.)

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.