Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way.
We have here, I. The tidings of Solomon's inauguration brought to Adonijah and his party, in the midst of their jollity: They had made an end of eating, and, it should seem, it was a great while before they made an end, for all the affair of Solomon's anointing was ordered and finished while they were at dinner, glutting themselves.
Commenting on 1 Kings 1:41-53
And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid,.... Though many of them were military men, the general of the army, and the captains thereof, Kg1 1:19; yet they were struck with a panic, their courage failed them, they had no spirit left in them, their hearts became as weak as water; had they exerted themselves according to their character, betaken themselves to arms...
1Ki 1:49-50 The news spread terror. All the guests of Adonijah fled, every man his way. Adonijah himself sought refuge from Solomon at the horns of the altar. The altar was regarded from time immemorial and among all nations as a place of refuge for criminals deserving of death; but, according to Exo 21:14, in Israel it was only allowed to afford protection in cases...
Commenting on 1 Kings 1:49-50