1 Kings 1:50

And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

And Adonijah {H138} feared {H3372} because {H6440} of Solomon {H8010}, and arose {H6965}, and went {H3212}, and caught hold {H2388} on the horns {H7161} of the altar {H4196}.

Adoniyah too was afraid because of Shlomo; he got up, went and took hold of the horns of the altar.

But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.

And Adonijah feared because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

Commentary

1 Kings 1:50 describes the immediate aftermath of King Solomon's anointing, focusing on the reaction of his rival, Adonijah. This verse captures a moment of intense fear and desperation as Adonijah seeks traditional sanctuary.

Context

The elderly King David was nearing his death, and the question of succession was paramount. Adonijah, David's fourth son, had presumptuously declared himself king, gathering support from figures like Joab and Abiathar (1 Kings 1:7). However, David had previously promised Bathsheba that their son, Solomon, would succeed him. Prompted by Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba, David acted decisively, commanding Solomon to be anointed king at Gihon (1 Kings 1:39). The sounds of celebration reached Adonijah's feast, causing his supporters to scatter. Realizing the gravity of his failed coup and fearing Solomon's judgment, Adonijah's immediate instinct was to seek refuge.

Key Themes

  • Fear and Desperation: Adonijah's fear of Solomon highlights the shift in power and the potential consequences for his rebellious act. His swift move to the altar demonstrates his belief that his life was in peril.
  • Seeking Sanctuary: The act of "catching hold on the horns of the altar" was a well-known custom in ancient Israel for seeking asylum. It was a desperate plea for mercy, invoking divine protection and the sanctity of the holy place.
  • Divine Appointment vs. Human Ambition: This verse underscores the contrast between Adonijah's self-appointed ambition and Solomon's divinely sanctioned kingship, established through prophetic and priestly anointing.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The phrase "horns of the altar" refers to the four protrusions at the corners of the bronze altar of burnt offering in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. These horns were symbolically significant, often smeared with blood during sacrifices, and served as a place of refuge for those seeking sanctuary from immediate retribution. It was a tradition that allowed time for a judicial decision regarding the accused's fate. Other notable figures who sought refuge at the altar include Joab, though his attempt was ultimately unsuccessful (1 Kings 2:28).

Practical Application

This passage offers several insights for believers today:

  • Refuge in God: Just as Adonijah sought physical refuge at the altar, believers are called to find spiritual refuge in God in times of fear, distress, or when facing the consequences of wrong choices. He is our ultimate sanctuary.
  • Consequences of Pride: Adonijah's ambition led him to a place of fear and desperation. This serves as a reminder that human efforts to usurp divine plans or act out of selfish ambition often lead to unfavorable outcomes.
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: Despite human machinations, God's plan for succession through Solomon prevailed. We are reminded to trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that His purposes will be accomplished.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 2:28

    Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.

  • Exodus 21:14

    But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

  • Exodus 38:2

    And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.

  • Exodus 27:2

    And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.

  • Psalms 118:27

    God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar.
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