1 Kings 2:23

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

Then king {H4428} Solomon {H8010} sware {H7650} by the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559}, God {H430} do {H6213} so to me, and more also {H3254}, if Adonijah {H138} have not spoken {H1696} this word {H1697} against his own life {H5315}.

Then King Shlomo swore by ADONAI, "May God do terrible things to me and worse if Adoniyah hasn't condemned himself to death with this request!

Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.

Then king Solomon sware by Jehovah, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah hath not spoken this word against his own life.

Commentary

1 Kings 2:23 captures a pivotal moment in King Solomon's early reign, revealing his decisive and unwavering consolidation of power. This verse is part of a larger narrative detailing Solomon's establishment of his kingdom and the elimination of lingering threats to his throne.

Context

The immediate background to this verse is Adonijah's audacious request. Adonijah, an older son of David, had previously attempted to usurp the throne during David's old age, even before Solomon was officially appointed. Solomon had initially spared Adonijah's life on the condition of loyalty. However, Adonijah later approached Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, asking for Abishag the Shunammite, David's former concubine, as his wife. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, taking a deceased king's concubine was often seen as a symbolic act of claiming the throne or succession rights. Solomon immediately understood this request not as a simple marital plea, but as a renewed, subtle, and dangerous attempt by Adonijah to challenge his divinely appointed kingship.

Key Themes

  • Consolidation of Power: Solomon, though young, demonstrates remarkable political acumen and firm resolve. He acts swiftly and decisively to remove any potential rivals or threats to his rule, ensuring the stability of his kingdom.
  • Divine Judgment and Justice: Solomon's solemn oath, invoking the LORD, underscores his belief that Adonijah's actions were a rebellion not just against him, but against God's chosen king, a role established by divine promise to David. The severity of the oath reflects the gravity of the perceived offense and Solomon's commitment to divine justice.
  • Consequences of Ambition: Adonijah's persistent desire for the throne, even after being granted clemency, ultimately leads to his demise. This illustrates the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and disobedience to legitimate authority.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sware by the LORD" emphasizes the solemnity and binding nature of Solomon's declaration. Oaths invoking God were extremely serious and considered inviolable in ancient Israel, meaning Solomon's word was final and backed by divine authority.

The traditional Hebrew idiomatic oath, "God do so to me, and more also," is a powerful expression found throughout the Old Testament. It signifies a self-imprecation or a solemn vow, essentially meaning, "May God punish me severely if I do not carry out this promise or threat." Examples include Ruth's vow to Naomi or Eli's charge to Samuel. It conveys Solomon's absolute resolve and commitment to executing judgment against Adonijah.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us that actions have significant consequences, particularly when they involve direct defiance of established authority or divine will. It highlights the responsibilities of leadership, which sometimes necessitate decisive action to maintain order, justice, and the integrity of a system. For believers, it underscores the seriousness of oaths made before God and the importance of loyalty and submission to rightful authority, recognizing that ultimately, all authority is established by God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Ruth 1:17 (5 votes)

    Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me.

  • Psalms 140:9 (3 votes)

    [As for] the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

  • Psalms 64:8 (3 votes)

    So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

  • 2 Samuel 19:13 (2 votes)

    And say ye to Amasa, [Art] thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

  • 2 Samuel 3:35 (2 votes)

    And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

  • Proverbs 18:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

  • Proverbs 18:7 (2 votes)

    A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.