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 today that he will not slay his servant with the sword.
Someone told Solomon, 'Look, Adonijah is afraid of you as king. He has grabbed onto the corners of the altar, saying, "Let King Solomon promise me today that he won't kill me with a sword."'
Adonijah, who had tried to become king instead of Solomon, is now desperately seeking protection at God's altar, begging Solomon to promise not to execute him.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Kings, King David was elderly and facing the end of his reign, which created a power struggle among his sons. Adonijah, one of David's sons, had attempted to seize the throne by proclaiming himself king, but David had already designated Solomon as his successor, leading to conflict. When Adonijah feared for his life, he clung to the horns of the altar in the tabernacle, a traditional place of sanctuary in ancient Israelite culture where one could seek protection from harm.
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