1 Kings 1:53
New International Version
Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, “Go to your home.”

New Living Translation
So King Solomon summoned Adonijah, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, “Go on home.”

English Standard Version
So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

Berean Standard Bible
So King Solomon summoned Adonijah down from the altar, and he came and bowed down before King Solomon, who said to him, “Go to your home.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

New American Standard Bible
So King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

NASB 1995
So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

NASB 1977
So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and prostrated himself before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

Amplified Bible
So King Solomon sent [soldiers], and they brought Adonijah down from the altar [that was in front of the tabernacle]. And he came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

Christian Standard Bible
So King Solomon sent for him, and they took him down from the altar. He came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your home.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So King Solomon sent for him, and they took him down from the altar. He came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your home.”

American Standard Version
So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and did obeisance to king Solomon; and Solomon said unto him, Go to thy house.

Contemporary English Version
Then he sent someone to the altar to get Adonijah. After Adonijah came and bowed down, Solomon said, "Adonijah, go home."

English Revised Version
So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and did obeisance to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Solomon sent men to take him from the altar. Adonijah bowed down in front of King Solomon. "Go home," Solomon told him.

Good News Translation
King Solomon then sent for Adonijah and had him brought down from the altar. Adonijah went to the king and bowed low before him, and the king said to him, "You may go home."

International Standard Version
So King Solomon sent for him, and he was brought down from the altar. When he had arrived, he fell on his face in front of King Solomon, so Solomon told him, "Go home!"

Majority Standard Bible
So King Solomon summoned Adonijah down from the altar, and he came and bowed down before King Solomon, who said to him, ?Go to your home.?

NET Bible
King Solomon sent men to bring him down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon told him, "Go home."

New Heart English Bible
So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed down to king Solomon; and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."

Webster's Bible Translation
So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said to him, Go to thy house.

World English Bible
So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King Solomon sends, and they bring him down from off the altar, and he comes in and bows himself to King Solomon, and Solomon says to him, “Go to your house.”

Young's Literal Translation
And king Solomon sendeth, and they bring him down from off the altar, and he cometh in and boweth himself to king Solomon, and Solomon saith to him, 'Go to thy house.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Solomon will send and they will bring him down from the altar. And he will come and worship to king Solomon: and Solomon will say to him, Go to thy house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then king Solomon sent, and brought him out from the altar: and going in he worshipped king Solomon: and Solomon said to him: Go to thy house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, king Solomon sent and brought him from the altar. And entering, he reverenced king Solomon. And Solomon said to him, “Go to your own house.”

New American Bible
King Solomon sent to have him brought down from the altar, and he came and paid homage to King Solomon. Solomon then said to him, “Go to your house.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then King Solomon sent to have him brought down from the altar. He came to do obeisance to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go home.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and did obeisance to King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, Go to your house.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Solomon sent and brought him from the altar, and he came and he bowed to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him: “Go to your house.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and prostrated himself before king Solomon; and Solomon said unto him: 'Go to thy house.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And king Solomon sent, and they brought him away from the altar; and he went in and did obeisance to king Solomon: and Solomon said to him, Go to thy house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Adonijah Learns of Solomon's Kingship
52And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” 53So King Solomon summoned Adonijah down from the altar, and he came and bowed down before King Solomon, who said to him, “Go to your home.”

Cross References
1 Samuel 26:21
Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

2 Samuel 14:33
So Joab went and told the king, and David summoned Absalom, who came to him and bowed facedown before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:22-23
And David replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, what have I to do with you, that you should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?” / So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore an oath to him.

1 Kings 2:36-38
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

1 Kings 2:46
Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon.

Proverbs 16:14
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 19:12
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Ecclesiastes 8:4
For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Matthew 18:27
His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 15:20-24
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. / The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ / But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ...

John 8:11
“No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”

Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.


Treasury of Scripture

So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said to him, Go to your house.

bowed himself

1 Kings 1:16,31
And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? …

2 Samuel 1:2
It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

Go to

1 Kings 2:36
And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.

2 Samuel 14:24,28
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face…

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

Jump to Previous
Adonijah Altar Bowed Boweth Home Honour House Obeisance Prostrated Solomon
Jump to Next
Adonijah Altar Bowed Boweth Home Honour House Obeisance Prostrated Solomon
1 Kings 1
1. Abishag cherishes David in his extreme age
5. Adonijah, David's darling, usurps the kingdom
11. By the council of Nathan
15. Bathsheba moves the king
22. And Nathan seconds her
28. David renews his oath to Bathsheba
32. Solomon, by David's appointment,
38. being anointed king by Zadok and Nathan, the people triumph
41. Jonathan bringing the news, Adonijah's guests fly
50. Adonijah, flying to the horns of the altar, is dismissed by Solomon














So King Solomon sent for him
The phrase begins with the decisive action of King Solomon, who is now established as the rightful ruler of Israel. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate and authoritative command. Solomon's sending for Adonijah reflects his kingly authority and the beginning of his reign marked by wisdom and justice. Historically, this action signifies the transition of power and the establishment of Solomon's rule, which was ordained by God through the prophet Nathan and King David.

to be brought down from the altar
The altar here refers to the sacred place where Adonijah sought asylum, grabbing the horns of the altar as a plea for mercy. The Hebrew word for "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach) is significant as it represents a place of sacrifice and divine presence. In ancient Israel, the altar was central to worship and atonement. Adonijah's act of clinging to the altar underscores his desperation and recognition of Solomon's legitimate claim to the throne. It also highlights the mercy inherent in Solomon's decision to spare him, reflecting the biblical principle of justice tempered with mercy.

He came and bowed down to King Solomon
The act of bowing down (שָׁחָה, shachah) is a gesture of submission and respect. In the ancient Near Eastern context, bowing was a common practice to show allegiance and acknowledge authority. Adonijah's bowing to Solomon is a public acknowledgment of Solomon's kingship and his own submission to the new order. This act is pivotal as it symbolizes the acceptance of God's will and the peaceful transfer of power, which is crucial for the unity and stability of the nation.

who said, 'Go to your home.'
Solomon's words, "Go to your home," are both a command and a gesture of clemency. The Hebrew concept of "home" (בַּיִת, bayit) often signifies more than just a physical dwelling; it represents a place of safety, family, and belonging. By sending Adonijah home, Solomon not only spares his life but also restores his dignity and place within the community. This act of mercy is consistent with Solomon's reputation for wisdom and foreshadows the peace and prosperity that would characterize much of his reign. It reflects the biblical theme of reconciliation and the importance of maintaining harmony within God's chosen people.

Verse 53. - So King Solomon sent and they brought him down [The altar was elevated: probably a slope, not steps (Exodus 20:26) led to it] from [Hebrew from upon. He was still clinging to it] the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon [i.e., made obeisance to him as king. Cf. vers. 16, 23, 31] and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house. This was not a sentence of banishment from court, but merely a dismissal to a private life, involving a tacit admonition to live quietly and be thankful that his life was spared him. "Vade in domum tuam, ibi quiesce et res tuas age, nec te publicis regni mei negotiis immisceas" (Corn. A Lapide).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So King
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

summoned [Adonijah]
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

down
וַיֹּרִדֻ֙הוּ֙ (way·yō·ri·ḏu·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

from
מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

and he came
וַיָּבֹ֕א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and bowed down
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ (way·yiš·ta·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

before King
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Solomon,
שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

[who]
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

said
וַיֹּֽאמֶר־ (way·yō·mer-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
ל֥וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Go
לֵ֥ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to your home.”
לְבֵיתֶֽךָ׃ (lə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


Links
1 Kings 1:53 NIV
1 Kings 1:53 NLT
1 Kings 1:53 ESV
1 Kings 1:53 NASB
1 Kings 1:53 KJV

1 Kings 1:53 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 1:53 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 1:53 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 1:53 French Bible
1 Kings 1:53 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 1:53 So king Solomon sent and they brought (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 1:52
Top of Page
Top of Page