1 Kings 1:51
ESV
Then it was told Solomon, "Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’"
NIV
Then Solomon was told, "Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ "
NASB
Now it was reported to Solomon, saying, 'Behold, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for behold, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, 'May King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'
CSB
It was reported to Solomon: "Look, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’"
NLT
Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, 'Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!'
KJV
And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
NKJV
And it was told Solomon, saying, “Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ”
What does 1 Kings 1:51 mean?
After a tense day, Solomon receives good news. His brother doesn't want to start a war. Adonijah had attempted to crown himself king, but David made sure Solomon received the throne first. When Absalom wanted to be king, he started a civil war with his father (2 Samuel 15:1–13). Adonijah doesn't have that kind of influence. When his party hears that David has made Solomon king, they flee (1 Kings 1:49).Adonijah runs from En-rogel, south of Jerusalem, north to Gibeon, where the tabernacle still stands. He grabs hold of the raised corners of the altar and waits. He's adapting the practice that ensures someone who killed another accidentally receives a fair hearing before judgment (Exodus 21:12–14). His attempt to take the crown while David is living is incredibly disrespectful, almost as if he wants his father dead. Now, Solomon has every right to see him as a rival, and rivals don't last long.
Adonijah had won the hearts of Joab, the priest Abiathar, and his son, all his other brothers, and the officials of Judah (1 Kings 1:7–9). Although Adonijah's supporters ran away when they heard Solomon was king (1 Kings 1:49), the fact that they followed Adonijah in the first place means Solomon needs to strongly establish his authority.
Solomon is known for asking and receiving great wisdom from God (1 Kings 3:9). Yet, he demonstrates much wisdom even before that request. Here, for example, he doesn't execute his brother. Instead, he creates boundaries. If Adonijah swears submission to Solomon and will stay loyal, Solomon will not execute him. Adonijah agrees. But the truce doesn't last long. Adonijah will try to marry David's last concubine, Abishag, attempting to take dominance over Solomon. It's then that Solomon has his brother executed (1 Kings 2:22–25).
