SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:50
Mas Adonías, temiendo de la presencia de Salomón, se levantó y se fue, y tomó los cuernos del altar.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 1:50
Verse 50. Adonijah feared] He knew he had usurped the kingdom, and had not his father's consent; and, as he finds now that Solomon is appointed by David, he knows well that the people will immediately respect that appointment, and that his case is hopeless; he therefore took sanctuary, and, fleeing to the tabernacle, laid hold on one of the horns of the altar, as if appealing to the protection of God against the violence of men. The altar was a privileged place, and it was deemed sacrilege to molest a man who had taken refuge there. See chap. ii. 28.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 50. And Adonijah feared because of Solomon , etc.] Lest he should seize him as an usurper and traitor, and put him to death: and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar ; either that which was at Gibeon, where the tabernacle now was; (see 1 Kings 3:4); so Jarchi; or rather that which was nearest, the altar that David had built in the threshingfloor of Araunah, ( 2 Samuel 24:25); the altar was a sort of asylum, or refuge, for such who had committed any crime worthy of death; not by divine appointment, but by custom, it being supposed that none would presume to defile with blood that which was sacred to the Lord; or shed the blood of men where the blood of beasts was poured; or use severity and strict justice, but mercy, where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin, and mercy was shown on account of them; these were notions, and this a custom, which obtained very early, and even among the Jews; (see Exodus 21:14); as well as among Gentiles; with whom it was usual, as to flee to the statues of their emperors, and to the temples of their deities, so likewise to their altars; this was customary among the Molossians, Samothracians, Crotoniatae, and Messenians; and particularly the altar of Jupiter Servator was an asylum, or place of refuge, to the Ithacians f18 . Cornelius Nepos has given us an instance of one that fled to a temple of Neptune, and sat upon the altar for his security, as here Adonijah laid hold on the horns of this, that none might force him from it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 32-53 - The people expressed great joy and satisfaction in the elevation of Solomon. Every true Israelite rejoices in the exaltation of the Son of David. Combinations formed upon evil principles will soon be dissolved when self-interest calls another way. How can those who do evil deed expect to have good tidings? Adonijah had despised Solomon, but soo dreaded him. We see here, as in a glass, Jesus, the Son of David an the Son of God, exalted to the throne of glory, notwithstanding all his enemies. His kingdom is far greater than that of his father David, an therein all the true people of God cordially rejoice. The prosperity of his cause is vexation and terror to his enemies. No horns of the altar nor forms of godliness, nor pretences to religion, can profit those wh will not submit to His authority, and accept of his salvation; and in their submission be hypocritical, they shall perish without remedy __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ואדניהו 138 ירא 3372 מפני 6440 שׁלמה 8010 ויקם 6965 וילך 1980 ויחזק 2388 בקרנות 7161 המזבח׃ 4196
