In these two verses, Solomon swore two oaths that each promised the death of Adonijah. The first is in the form of calling down a curse upon himself if Adonijah’s request did not lead to that man’s death. The second oath also promised the death of Adonijah, and it set the date as that very day.
Both oaths are sworn in the Lord’s name. In the first he swore by the Lord,
that is, by Yahweh. The second is phrased in a similar manner: as the Lord lives.
In both forms, the oath calls on the covenant name of God to be joined with the intention of the one who swore the oath. In other words, Solomon made God a party in the execution of the oath. There was no other language available that could bind a person more tightly to the oath. God said in his law, Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain
(Exodus 20:7). Thus, the reader should by no means imagine that there was any thoughtlessness about these oaths. Solomon spoke with all seriousness in their use. It would be a much better world if everyone held the third commandment in the same regard in which Solomon held it.
It is also noteworthy that the language Solomon used in his second oath is similar to David’s language in 1 Kings 1:29–30 in that he bases the oath upon the gracious provision of the Lord in placing him on the throne of David.
23 Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life!