So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.
Here is, I. Solomon's accession to the throne, Kg1 2:12. He came to it much more easily and peaceably than David did, and much sooner saw his government established. It is happy for a kingdom when the end of one good reign is the beginning of another, as it was here. II. His just and necessary removal of Adonijah his rival, in order to the establishment of his throne.
Commenting on 1 Kings 2:12-25
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king,.... Who was either at court, or he sent for him, and thus addressed him: get thee to Anathoth; a city of the tribe of Benjamin, given to the priests, Jos 21:18; of which place Abiathar might be originally, and whither he is bid to return: unto thine own fields; which belonged to him there, either by inheritance...
Solomon sent - Benaiah - and he fell upon him that he died. - Benaiah seems to have been the public state executioner, and yet he was generalissimo of all the forces. See him employed in a similar work, Kg1 2:34 (note), Kg1 2:46 (note).