Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 1:52
And Solomon said, If he will show himself a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.
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.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
There shalt not an hair … – This was a proverbial expression, meaning he shall suffer no hurt at all. Solomons 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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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 Solomons free act, so he might justly qualify it as he pleased.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(52) There shall not a hair of him fall.Solomons 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 Adonijahs pretensions.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
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.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
shew himself Some codices, with one early printed edition, add “toward me”.
worthy man = a son of valour.
not an hair, &c. Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
there shall: 1Sa 14:45, 2Sa 14:11, Mat 10:30, Luk 21:18, Act 27:34
wickedness: 1Ki 2:21-25, Job 15:22, Pro 13:6, Pro 21:12
Reciprocal: 1Ki 2:24 – put
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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.