1 Kings 1:52

1Ki 1:52 And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.

Ver. 52. If he will show himself a worthy man.] viz., For future; his present offence I pardon him, but he is upon his good behaviour.

A worthy man.] Heb., A son of valour: if he can conquer his passions, and submit to my government.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ki 1:52-53. And Solomon said, &c. — Solomon did not swear unto him, as he desired, but only declared that he gave him a full pardon for what was past, on condition that he behaved himself as became a good subject for the time to come. But if wickedness be found in him, he shall die — That is, if he did any thing in future which manifested that he had still a rebellious mind, the pardon, now granted, should signify nothing, because he had broken the condition of it. He came and bowed himself to King Solomon — Thereby owning him for his sovereign, such respect not being otherwise due from one brother to another. And Solomon said unto him, Go to thy house — There to lead a private life, without noise, equipage, or numerous attendants, and not meddling with the affairs of the kingdom.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Verse 52. If he will show himself a worthy man] If, from henceforth, he behave well, show himself to be contented, and not endeavour to make partisans, or stir up insurrections among the people, he shall be safe; but if wickedness be found in him - if he act at all contrary to this - he shall die; his blood shall be upon him.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(52) There shall not a hair of him fall.—Solomon’s pardon, though according to Oriental ideas, an act of extraordinary grace, was yet characteristically cautious and conditional, to be withdrawn accordingly on the first symptom of any renewal of Adonijah’s pretensions.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

52. not a hair of him fall to the earth] The expression is common and proverbial to express that no harm of any kind shall befall. Cf. 1Sa_14:45; 2Sa_14:11.

if wickedness shall be found in him] Josephus gives the sense: ‘If he shall again be caught with any new plots.’

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Solomon said, if he will show himself a worthy man,.... Will behave himself well as a good subject, and be careful not to offend for the future, or appear to be one that fears sin, as the Targum; particularly the crimes of sedition, rebellion, and treason:

there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth; not the least harm should be done him:

but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die; that is, if any crime worthy of death be committed by him, or any overt act of treason, and the like, he should surely be put to death, and find no mercy, notwithstanding the present general pardon. This was very wisely done by Solomon, to begin his reign without shedding blood even of delinquents; and especially of his brother, and his elder brother too; and by granting his life for the future on his good behaviour.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

There shalt not an hair ... - This was a proverbial expression, meaning “he shall suffer no hurt at all.” Solomon’s clemency in pardoning Adonijah is very remarkable. In the East not only are pretenders almost always punished with death, but it has often been the custom for each king upon his accession to put to death all his brothers as mere possible pretenders.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

A worthy man, Heb. a man of strength or courage; for it requires great strength of mind and resolution to resist all temptations of vice, and to do virtuously.

There shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: herein Solomon manifests his clemency and brotherly affection, and withal his prudence in sparing him, whom, being his brother, and his eldest brother too, it would have been invidious to have slain.

If wickedness shall be found in him; not only if he shall be guilty of some capital crime, but of any great wickedness or evil design; for as this pardon was Solomon’s free act, so he might justly qualify it as he pleased.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

52. Show himself a worthy man — Atone for his past misconduct by showing henceforth a thorough loyalty to Solomon.

There shall not a hair of him fall — Thus the first official act of the new king’s reign is one of magnanimity, and indicative of a gracious and peaceful rule.

If wickedness… be found in him — Especially, any attempts upon the rights, prerogatives, or authority of the reigning king. But Adonijah’s restless spirit soon led him to ruin. See 1Ki_2:13-25.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Solomon said i.e., he refused to swear, If he will shew himself a worthy man lyijAB, cf. lyijA ver.42, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth i.e., not a single hair shall be injured. Same expression 1Sa_14:45; 2Sa_14:11; Act_27:34. It was evidently a familiar saying but if wickedness shall be found in him, i.e., if he shall commit any fresh crime he shall die Hebrew tmew; "then he shall die," emphatic.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

General Information:

Solomon spares the life of Adonijah.

not a hair of his will fall to the earth

This is an exaggeration to say that Solomon will keep Adonijah safe. AT: "not a hair of his head will fall" or "I will keep him safe" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Hyperbole and Generalization)

wickedness is found in him

The abstract noun "wickedness" can be translated as a verb. It is spoken of as if it were an object that could be found in a container. This can be translated in active form. AT: "he does what is evil" (See: Abstract Nouns and Metaphor and Active or Passive)

translationWords

worthy

evil

die

altar

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.