So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.
So King Solomon sent messengers, and they brought Adonijah down from the altar. Adonijah came and bowed down before King Solomon, and Solomon told him, 'Go home.'
The writer is showing Solomon's mercy toward his brother Adonijah, who had tried to become king but then sought sanctuary at God's altar.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Kings, King David was elderly and near death, leading to a succession crisis where his son Adonijah attempted to seize the throne for himself, despite David having promised it to Solomon. Adonijah's rebellion was quickly countered when Solomon was anointed as king with divine approval, and he fled to the altar for sanctuary as a traditional place of refuge. In this verse, Solomon demonstrates restraint by sparing Adonijah's life and sending him home after his submission.
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