Lexical Summary Chaggith: Haggith Original Word: חַגִּית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Haggith Feminine of Chaggiy; festive; Chaggith, a wife of David -- Haggith. see HEBREW Chaggiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of Chaggi Definition "festal," a wife of David NASB Translation Haggith (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs חַגִּית proper name, masculine (festal) wife of David and mother of Adonijah 2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Kings 1:5,11; 1 Kings 2:13; 1 Chronicles 3:2; ᵐ5 Ἀγγιθ. חגה (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Scriptural Profile Haggith appears five times in the Old Testament: 2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Kings 1:5; 1 Kings 1:11; 1 Kings 2:13; 1 Chronicles 3:2. In every instance she is identified as a wife of King David and the mother of Adonijah. Her account unfolds quietly in the narrative of David’s household yet becomes pivotal in the royal succession narrative at the close of David’s reign. Historical and Cultural Context David’s polygamous household, formed through political alliances and personal choices, produced sons raised amid shifting court loyalties. Haggith likely entered David’s life during his seven-and-a-half-year reign in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:2-5), when several marriages strengthened tribal bonds. The maternal lineage of royal sons was significant; mothers wielded influence at court and were integral to their sons’ claims. Though Scripture offers no details of Haggith’s ancestry, her son’s later ambition indicates a mother whose status was recognized among David’s wives. Family and Domestic Significance Adonijah is listed fourth among David’s sons (2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:2). His elder brothers Amnon and Absalom died violently, and Chileab (Daniel) disappears from the record. By natural order Adonijah expected the throne. The narrative therefore presents Haggith as mother to the heir-apparent in human estimation, underscoring how the divine choice of Solomon overturned conventional succession. Haggith and the Royal Succession Crisis Adonijah’s self-exaltation marks Haggith’s name with political tension: • 1 Kings 1:5: “At that time Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, ‘I will be king.’ ” The inspired narrator repeatedly attaches Adonijah’s actions to his maternal identity, suggesting that legitimate dynastic claims were measured not only by birth order but also by the standing of the mother. While Bathsheba actively secured Solomon’s accession, Haggith’s silence in the record highlights the sovereignty of God in elevating Solomon apart from human maneuvering. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Human Ambition: Adonijah’s bid, rooted in his position as Haggith’s firstborn, failed because the throne belonged to the son whom the LORD had chosen (1 Chronicles 22:9-10). Haggith’s account therefore illustrates that lineage and natural right yield to covenant promise. Practical Ministry Applications • Encouragement for Parents: Like Haggith, many parents watch adult children make choices beyond their control. The narrative urges trust in God’s overruling hand even when outcomes diverge from expectation. Integration within the Canon Haggith’s placement in Samuel–Kings and Chronicles reinforces the chronicler’s interest in legitimate messianic lineage culminating in Christ. Matthew traces Messiah’s line through Solomon, not Adonijah, quietly vindicating the divine choice made in David’s day. Thus, Haggith’s brief appearances contribute to the unfolding narrative that the promised King would come through God-appointed—not merely human—descent. Summary Though mentioned only five times, Haggith stands at a crucial intersection of Israel’s royal history. As wife of David and mother of Adonijah, her identity highlights questions of inheritance, the perils of presumption, and the faithfulness of God to His covenant purposes. Her story, woven into the larger tapestry of redemption, reminds believers that God’s plans prevail over human ambition and that every life, however briefly noted, serves His eternal design. Forms and Transliterations חַגִּ֑ית חַגִּ֛ית חַגִּֽית׃ חַגֵּ֗ית חגית חגית׃ chagGeit chagGit ḥag·gêṯ ḥag·gîṯ ḥaggêṯ ḥaggîṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 3:4 HEB: אֲדֹנִיָּ֣ה בֶן־ חַגִּ֑ית וְהַחֲמִישִׁ֖י שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה NAS: the son of Haggith; and the fifth, KJV: the son of Haggith; and the fifth, INT: Adonijah the son of Haggith and the fifth Shephatiah 1 Kings 1:5 1 Kings 1:11 1 Kings 2:13 1 Chronicles 3:2 5 Occurrences |