Adoni'jah, whose name means "my Lord is Yahweh," is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the narrative of the transition of kingship from David to Solomon. He was the fourth son of King David, born to Haggith, as recorded in 2 Samuel 3:4. Adoni'jah is most prominently featured in the opening chapters of 1 Kings, where his actions and ambitions play a crucial role in the succession narrative.

Ambition for Kingship

Adoni'jah's ambition to become king is evident in 1 Kings 1. As David grew old and frail, Adoni'jah, being the eldest surviving son after the deaths of Amnon and Absalom, saw an opportunity to claim the throne. The text states, "Now Adoni'jah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, 'I will be king.' So he prepared chariots, cavalry, and fifty men to run ahead of him" (1 Kings 1:5). His self-exaltation and preparation for kingship indicate his determination and sense of entitlement to the throne.

Support and Opposition

Adoni'jah garnered support from key figures, including Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest (1 Kings 1:7). However, he faced significant opposition from other influential leaders loyal to David, such as Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's mighty men, who did not side with Adoni'jah (1 Kings 1:8).

The Intervention of Nathan and Bathsheba

The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, played pivotal roles in thwarting Adoni'jah's plans. Nathan informed Bathsheba of Adoni'jah's actions and advised her to approach King David to remind him of his promise that Solomon would succeed him as king (1 Kings 1:11-13). Bathsheba's intervention, along with Nathan's confirmation, prompted David to take decisive action to ensure Solomon's anointing as king.

Solomon's Anointing

In response to the threat posed by Adoni'jah, David ordered that Solomon be anointed king. He instructed Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada to take Solomon to Gihon, where he was anointed with oil and proclaimed king (1 Kings 1:32-39). The public acclamation of Solomon as king effectively nullified Adoni'jah's claim and secured Solomon's position as David's successor.

Adoni'jah's Submission and Later Rebellion

Upon hearing of Solomon's anointing, Adoni'jah feared for his life and sought refuge by taking hold of the horns of the altar, a place of sanctuary (1 Kings 1:50). Solomon initially spared Adoni'jah, granting him mercy on the condition of his good behavior (1 Kings 1:52-53).

However, Adoni'jah's ambitions resurfaced when he requested to marry Abishag the Shunammite, David's former concubine. This request was perceived as a political maneuver to strengthen his claim to the throne, as marrying a king's concubine was a recognized assertion of kingship (1 Kings 2:13-22). Solomon, recognizing the threat, ordered Adoni'jah's execution, thus eliminating a potential rival and securing his reign (1 Kings 2:23-25).

Legacy

Adoni'jah's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and self-exaltation. His actions and their consequences highlight the importance of divine will and the fulfillment of God's promises, as seen in the establishment of Solomon's kingship. Adoni'jah's life and death underscore the complexities of royal succession and the divine orchestration of leadership in Israel's history.Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 3:4
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
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1 Kings 1:5
Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying: 'I will be king'; and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
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1 Kings 1:7
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest; and they following Adonijah helped him.
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1 Kings 1:8
But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men that belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
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1 Kings 1:9
And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants;
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1 Kings 1:11
Then Nathan spoke unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying: 'Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
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1 Kings 1:13
Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him: Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thy handmaid, saying: Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
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1 Kings 1:18
And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not.
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1 Kings 1:24
And Nathan said: 'My lord, O king, hast thou said: Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
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1 Kings 1:25
For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say: Long live king Adonijah.
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1 Kings 1:41
And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said: 'Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?'
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1 Kings 1:42
While he yet spoke, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said: 'Come in; for thou art a worthy man, and bringest good tidings.'
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1 Kings 1:43
And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah: 'Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.
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1 Kings 1:49
And all the guests of Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.
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1 Kings 1:50
And Adonijah feared because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
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1 Kings 1:51
And it was told Solomon, saying: 'Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon; for, lo, he hath laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying: Let king Solomon swear unto me first of all that he will not slay his servant with the sword.'
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1 Kings 2:13
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon. And she said: 'Comest thou peaceably?' And he said: 'Peaceably.'
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1 Kings 2:19
Bath-sheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed down unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a throne to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
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1 Kings 2:21
And she said: 'Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.'
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1 Kings 2:22
And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother: 'And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.'
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1 Kings 2:23
Then king Solomon swore by the LORD, saying: 'God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.
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1 Kings 2:24
Now therefore as the LORD liveth, who hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me a house, as He promised, surely Adonijah shall be put to death this day.'
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1 Kings 2:28
And the tidings came to Joab; for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the Tent of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
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1 Chronicles 3:2
the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
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2 Chronicles 17:8
and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
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Nehemiah 10:16
Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin;
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Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences)
Adoni'jah. Adonijah, Adoni'jah. Adonijah's . Multi-Version Concordance
Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 3:4 and the fourth, Adonijah ...
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Adonijah's (3 Occurrences)

/a/adonijah's.htm - 7k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)

/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

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