1 Kings 1:53 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Solomon has Adonijah brought from the altar; he bows to the king, who shows mercy and sends him home in peace.
What Does 1 Kings 1:53 Mean?
The chapter closes with an act of mercy. Solomon sends for Adonijah, who is brought down from the altar and bows before the king who now reigns. Solomon does not strike him down but says simply, Go to thine house. The rival is spared and released, and the new king's reign begins with clemency.
That a defeated rebel is received and sent home in peace is a picture of grace at the dawn of a kingdom. The king who could have demanded death grants life instead. So the reign of the true King opens its arms to those who once stood against Him, calling them from the place of fear to go in peace, restored by mercy under His gracious rule.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 1:53
What does 1 Kings 1:53 mean?
Solomon has Adonijah brought from the altar; he bows to the king, who shows mercy and sends him home in peace.