That Adonijah doth reign. That Adonijah hath plotted for the kingdom; and hath, in a sort, possessed himself of it. And Adonijah arose and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. And Adonijah, which had not the grace to consult with God in his challenge of the crown of Israel, now, through fear, had recourse to the altar of God; as thinking, under the protection thereof, to avoid that death, which by his usurpation he had deserved. And shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. How, in a profession of peace, he did, after a hostile manner, shed the blood of two noble captains, Abner and Amasa; and put up his sword, all bloody, into his sheath; and walked with his feet distained with innocent blood, in a bold and careless fashion, thinking to bear out his hateful murder. Hold him not guiltless. Take thou all advantages, to let him feel how heinously he hath offended; and proceed against him, upon any other just pretence. Ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Jacob the son of Zeruiah. Adonijah hath already the advantage of age, for he is my elder brother; and of the guard and strength of soldiery, for Joab is joined to him; and of the countenance of the priesthood, for Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. He took the eldest son of the king of Edom prisoner, and offered to sacrifice him upon the wall, if the kings would not break up their siege; which when the king of Israel refused to do, he, the said king of Moab, offered that son of Edom, for a burnt-offering upon the wall: and hereupon there was great indignation of Edom against Israel; and they, in much discontentment, departed to their own country. About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. About forty weeks hence, according to the ordinary time of conception and birth, thou shalt bear a son. Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. On solemn days, I know it is our manner to resort unto the prophet of God, for the worship of our God, and our own instruction; but now, since it is neither new moon nor sabbath, that might occasion thy journey to the man of God, what business is it that calls thee to him? And she answered, It is well. Trouble not thyself with this question: I shall give an account of it to thy master; in the mean time, rest thou contented. In this thing pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon; when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lone pardon thy servant in this thing. I do solemnly protest unto thee, that I will do no worship to any God, save to the true God of Israel only; and I could well wish, that I never might have occasion to come into any of the temples of those idol gods; but, in this, I shall desire to be dispensed with, that, when, upon the necessity of my place and service, I must wait upon the king, into the temple of his Rimmon, and my master (leaning on my arm) shall bow to his false god; I may then (after public notice given of my free intentions) not out of any respect of devotion to the idol, but out of my due service to my master, bow down under my master in the house of Rimmon; which, however in itself it may be construed as a gesture of adoration to the idol, yet, when the world shall be thoroughly possessed of my hatred of this idolatry, and my unfeigned purpose to reserve myself wholly for the true God, it shall perhaps avoid that offence, which otherwise might be taken at this, not religious, but civil gesture: in this I beseech thee pray to God, that he will not impute sin unto me; as one, that would fain be serviceable, and not idolatrous.