1 Kings 1:52

Translations

Modern

And 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.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And Solomon said, “If he is a son of strength not one hair of him shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”

Latin

Dixitque Salomon: Si fuerit vir bonus, non cadet ne unus quidem capillus ejus in terram: sin autem malum inventum fuerit in eo, morietur.

Original

Hebrew

English

And 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.”

Notes

1 Kings 1:50–53

Fearing for his life, Adonijah sought safety at the horns (projections at the corners) of the altar (Exodus 27:2), hoping for mercy based on biblical tradition (see Exodus 21:12–14). However, this protection was only for accidental killings, so only the king could forgive Adonijah's treason. Solomon showed him kindness if he stayed loyal. Despite appearances, Adonijah still tried to make himself king and was later killed for causing trouble (1 Kings 2:13–25).

1 Kings 1:1–2:12

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Bathsheba David Solomon Zadok The Cities of Refuge

Related verses

1 Samuel 14:45
But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
2 Samuel 14:11
“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”
Proverbs 13:6
Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.
Proverbs 21:12
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
Job 15:22
He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.
1 Kings 2:21–25
So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”
Acts 27:34
So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.”
Luke 21:18
Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.
Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

People

Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Glossary

Adonijah Asylum Bathsheba Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Solomon (Person)

1 Kings 1:52

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