Daily Tanach Monday Sefer Melachim 1 – Chapter 1: Adoniyahu and his men discover that Shlomo was proclaimed king

1.      Adoniyahu and his men discover that Shlomo was proclaimed king:

• Adoniyahu and all of his guests heard the commotion after they had finished eating by the feast. Yoav who heard the sound of the shofar asked as to what the sound represents. While he was still speaking, Yonason the son of Avyasar the Kohen arrived and Adoniyahu said to him that he should come forward as he is a soldier who brings good tidings. Yonason answered Adoniyahu and said to him, “Our master, king Dovid, has already coronated Shlomo as king, and the king had sent with him Tzadok the Kohen and Nasan the prophet and Benayahu Ben Yehoyada and the Kreisi and Pleisi [i.e. Urim Vetumim[1]] and they rode Shlomo on the mule of the King. Tzadok the Kohen, and Nasan the prophet, have anointed him as king by Gichon, and they all traveled from there in great joy towards the city and continued towards the city and that is the sound that you are hearing. Shlomo has also sat on the throne of the monarchy, and the servants of the king have come to bless our master king Dovid, blessing him that “G-d should do good for the name of Shlomo even more than he did to your name, and that his throne should be greater than your throne,” and the King then bowed while on his bed. The king also said, “Blessed be G-d, the G-d of Israel, who has given me the opportunity today to see with my own eyes the one who will take over my throne.”

2. Adoniyahu flees from Shlomo:

• Adoniyahu flees and takes refuge by the altar: After hearing all of the above, all the guests who were with Adoniyahu became filled with fright and they each left on their way. Adoniyahu became fearful of Shlomo and so he fled to the altar and took hold of its corners.
• Adoniyahu subjugates himself to Shlomo and is allowed to live: Shlomo was informed that Adoniyahu fears being put to death by King Shlomo, and that he thus grabbed onto the corners of the altar threatening not to leave until King Shlomo swears to him that he will not kill him with the sword. Shlomo responded and said, “If he will become a trustworthy servant, then not a single hair from his head will fall to the ground, although if he will rebel then he will be put to death.” King Shlomo sent emissaries to take him down from the altar and he was brought to the king and Adoniyahu prostrated himself to King Shlomo, after which Shlomo told him that he may now return home.

[1] Rashi 1:38