Atomic Bible

Son of David who attempted to seize the throne

Adonijah

Named in 24 verses across 3 books, first in 2 Samuel 3:4.

אֲדֹנִיָּ֫הוּAdonijah

The name means “the Lord is my master.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Father
David
Mother
Haggith
Brothers and sisters
Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah, Jerimoth
People
Tribe of Judah

About Adonijah Written by AI

Adonijah was the fourth son of King David, born to him in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:2). He was the son of Haggith and was born after Absalom, who had also rebelled against David. When King David was old and frail, Adonijah exalted himself, declaring, "I will be king" (1 Kings 1:5). He prepared chariots, horses, and fifty men to run before him, and he conferred with Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest, who followed and supported him. However, he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon to his coronation (1 Kings 1:7 to 10). Nathan, aware of Adonijah's actions, advised Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to inform David and remind him of his oath to make Solomon king after him. David, upon hearing this, confirmed his choice of Solomon and ordered his anointing and proclamation as king (1 Kings 1:11 to 40). When Adonijah and his supporters heard that Solomon had been anointed king, they fled in fear. Adonijah took hold of the horns of the altar, seeking protection. Solomon spared his life on the condition that he would show himself to be a worthy man (1 Kings 1:50 to 53). However, after David's death, Adonijah made a request through Bathsheba to be given Abishag the Shunammite, who had been David's companion in his old age, as his wife. Solomon perceived this request as a claim to the throne and ordered Benaiah to execute Adonijah (1 Kings 2:13 to 25). Adonijah's story serves as a warning against ambition and rebellion, highlighting the importance of submitting to God's chosen leadership and the consequences of seeking power through illegitimate means.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Adonijah, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

My Lord is Jehovah. (1.) The fourth son of David (2 Sam. 3:4). After the death of his elder brothers, Amnon and Absalom, he became heir-apparent to the throne. But Solomon, a younger brother, was preferred to him. Adonijah, however, when his father was dying, caused himself to be proclaimed king. But Nathan and Bathsheba induced David to give orders that Solomon should at once be proclaimed and admitted to the throne. Adonijah fled and took refuge at the altar, and received pardon for his conduct from Solomon on the condition that he showed himself “a worthy man” (1 Kings 1:5-53). He afterwards made a second attempt to gain the throne, but was seized and put to death (1 Kings 2:13-25).

(2.) A Levite sent with the princes to teach the book of the law to the inhabitants of Judah (2 Chr. 17:8).

Read the rest of the entry

(3.) One of the “chiefs of the people” after the Captivity (Neh. 10:16).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. 2 Samuel 3:4

    his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;

  2. 1 Kings 1:5

    At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.

  3. 1 Kings 1:7

    So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.

  4. 1 Kings 1:8

    But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.

  5. 1 Kings 1:9

    And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king.

  6. 1 Kings 1:11

    Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?

  7. 1 Kings 1:13

    Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

  8. 1 Kings 1:18

    But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know it.

  9. 1 Kings 1:24

    “My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?

  10. 1 Kings 1:25

    For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

  11. 1 Kings 1:41

    Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.

  12. 1 Kings 1:42

    As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.”

  13. 1 Kings 1:43

    “Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.

  14. 1 Kings 1:49

    At this, all the guests of Adonijah arose in terror and scattered.

  15. 1 Kings 1:50

    But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.

  16. 1 Kings 1:51

    It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’”

  17. 1 Kings 2:13

    Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied.

  18. 1 Kings 2:19

    So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.

  19. 1 Kings 2:21

    So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”

  20. 1 Kings 2:22

    King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

  21. 1 Kings 2:23

    Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.

  22. 1 Kings 2:24

    And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!”

  23. 1 Kings 2:28

    When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar.

  24. 1 Chronicles 3:2

    the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.