Adonijah was one of the sons of King David. He is mentioned in several places in the Bible, primarily in 1 Kings chapters 1-2 and 1 Chronicles 3:2. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about Adonijah:
He was David’s fourth son
Adonijah was the fourth son born to King David. His mother was Haggith (2 Samuel 3:4). His three older brothers were Amnon, Chileab, and Absalom. Adonijah was likely born in Hebron while David was king over Judah. He would have grown up as part of David’s court during the early years of his reign.
He was in line to be king after David
As David’s fourth son, Adonijah would have been inline after his older brothers to inherit the throne. However, Amnon and Absalom died violently, and Chileab apparently died at a young age since he is not mentioned after his birth. This left Adonijah next in line to be king after David (1 Kings 2:15).
He exalted himself as king during David’s old age
1 Kings 1 describes how Adonijah attempted to seize the kingship while his father David was old and frail. Adonijah began boasting that he would be king and acting as if he was already in charge. He secured chariots, horses, and 50 men to run before him. He also got the support of some influential figures like Joab and Abiathar. However, important leaders like Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, and David’s mighty men did not side with Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5-10).
His bid for the throne was stopped by Nathan and Bathsheba
When Nathan the prophet learned what Adonijah was doing, he quickly went to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon. He told her to go to King David and remind him of his oath that Solomon would succeed him as king. David reaffirmed his choice of Solomon, and ordered that Solomon immediately be anointed and proclaimed king. Adonijah’s hasty attempt to become king was thwarted (1 Kings 1:11-40).
He was afraid after hearing Solomon was king
Those who were celebrating Adonijah’s elevation to kingship heard the news that Solomon had become king. Adonijah and his guests were afraid at this turn of events. Adonijah went and took hold of the horns of the altar, seeking refuge. Solomon sent word that if Adonijah showed himself to be a worthy man, not a rebel, then Solomon would let him live (1 Kings 1:41-53).
He requested David’s nurse Abishag as his wife
After Solomon was established as king, Adonijah approached Bathsheba and made a request. He asked her to petition King Solomon to let Adonijah marry Abishag, who had been one of David’s nurses in his final days. Bathsheba did pass this request along to Solomon. However, Solomon saw through this as a veiled attempt by Adonijah to try again to gain the royal power. So Solomon ordered Adonijah to be executed for this request (1 Kings 2:13-25).
Summary of Adonijah’s Character
In summary, these aspects of Adonijah’s portrayal in Scripture give insight into his character:
- Ambitious – He was bold enough to proclaim himself king before David died.
- Impatient – He did not want to wait for David to officially designate the next king.
- Entitled – As David’s oldest living son, he likely felt he deserved to be heir to the throne.
- Self-exalting – He surrounded himself with chariots, horses, and an entourage like a king.
- Deceptive – His request for Abishag was a veiled power play.
- Insecure – He was afraid when he heard Solomon had become king instead.
So in many ways Adonijah displays the character traits of someone arrogantly grasping for power without considering God’s will or plan.
Lessons from Adonijah’s Life
Though Adonijah is a somewhat minor biblical figure, some lessons emerge from his portrayal in Scripture:
- God’s plans will prevail over human scheming – Adonijah failed in his bid for power because he was going against God’s choice of Solomon to succeed David.
- Ambition can lead to impatience and arrogance – Adonijah did not want to wait for God’s timing and struck out on his own.
- Coveting power is unwise and dangerous – Adonijah’s quest for power led to fear and ultimately his death.
- Respecting authority involves waiting on leadership transitions – Adonijah should have respected David’s kingship and Solomon’s succession.
Overall, Adonijah serves as an example of what not to do. His life illustrates how self-centered ambition and impatience with God’s timing leads to strife and pain. As Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Adonijah’s prideful ambition led him to “fall” through demotion and death.
Adonijah in Biblical Genealogies
Aside from the accounts in 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles, Adonijah is also listed in a few biblical genealogies summarizing David’s descendants:
- 1 Chronicles 3:2 – Listed as David’s fourth son after Solomon, the third son.
- 2 Samuel 3:2-5 – Named as the fourth of David’s sons born in Hebron.
- 1 Chronicles 14:3-7 – Included in the list of sons born to David in Jerusalem.
These genealogies help establish that Adonijah was the fourth son of David and provide additional biblical confirmation about David’s family line.
Adonijah’s Name Meaning
The name Adonijah means “my Lord is Yahweh” or “Yahweh is my Lord.” It is a compound of the Hebrew elements adon meaning “lord” and jah resembling the divine name YHWH. The name was likely meant to express submission to God’s authority as divine Lord. Ironically, Adonijah did not live up to the meaning of his name, instead rebelling against God’s plan.
Adonijah and Solomon
There are several contrasts between Adonijah and his younger brother Solomon:
- Adonijah exalted himself before the kingship was given; Solomon waited to be appointed by David and the people (1 Kings 1:5, 38-39).
- Adonijah sought the throne through his own schemes; Solomon was chosen by God to succeed David (1 Chronicles 28:5).
- Adonijah acted rashly without wisdom; Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead Israel (1 Kings 3:5-12).
- Adonijah pleased himself; Solomon initially pleased God by obeying commandments (1 Kings 3:3).
In many ways Adonijah and Solomon represent contrasting approaches to leadership. Adonijah illustrates self-promotion and self-interest. Solomon illustrates humble dependence on God and desire to please God.
Adonijah’s Place in David’s Family
Adonijah’s position in David’s family can be summarized as follows:
- Father: David
- Mother: Haggith
- Siblings: Step-siblings Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, and Tamar; full-brother Solomon
- Half-siblings: Children of David’s other wives and concubines
- Rank: Fourth oldest son of David
So Adonijah was part of David’s immediate family but not the eldest or most prominent son. His bid for power was likely motivated in part by his place in the family and desire to gain higher status as king after David.
Stories and Accounts about Adonijah
The main biblical passages about Adonijah include:
- 1 Kings 1:5-53 – Adonijah’s attempt to make himself king
- 1 Kings 2:13-25 – Adonijah’s request for Abishag and execution
- 1 Chronicles 3:2-5; 14:3-7 – Genealogies listing Adonijah
Key stories and accounts about Adonijah include:
- Adonijah offering sacrifices, holding a feast, and declaring himself king (1 Kings 1:5-9)
- Nathan and Bathsheba warning David about Adonijah (1 Kings 1:11-31)
- David ordering Solomon to be made king (1 Kings 1:32-40)
- Adonijah’s fear and seeking refuge at the altar (1 Kings 1:41-53)
- Adonijah’s request to marry Abishag (1 Kings 2:13-21)
- Solomon seeing through this and ordering Adonijah’s death (1 Kings 2:22-25)
These accounts portray Adonijah’s ambition, deception, and consequences he faced in rebelling against God’s plan to make Solomon the next king.
Adonijah’s Role and Significance
What roles and significance does Adonijah have in the Bible narrative?
- Royal son: He was one of David’s sons and princes in Israel.
- Rival to Solomon: He sought to gain the throne instead of Solomon.
- Warning example: His story warns against self-promotion and impatience.
- Contrast to Solomon: His actions and character contrast with Solomon’s humble waiting on God.
- Part of God’s plan: His attempt to become king sparked events that confirmed Solomon as David’s heir.
So Adonijah plays an important supporting role in Solomon’s rise to power. His scheming sets the stage for Solomon’s selection as king to be affirmed and solidified. Adonijah serves as a foil and negative example that highlights Solomon’s positive qualities and the working out of God’s plan.
Adonijah’s Actions and Motivations
Based on the biblical accounts, these appear to be some of Adonijah’s key actions and motivations:
- Actions: Offered sacrifices, held feast, designated kingship paraphernalia, recruited followers, requested Abishag as wife.
- Motivations: Ambition, entitlement, impatience, insecurity, lust for power.
Adonijah was motivated by a selfish desire to hasten his ascension to the throne, without consideration for God’s timing or David’s wishes. His actions centered on self-promotion and building his power base.
Adonijah’s Death
Adonijah met his death at the order of Solomon in 1 Kings 2:13-25. The events leading up to his execution were:
- Adonijah approached Bathsheba asking her to petition Solomon to give him Abishag as wife.
- Bathsheba conveyed the request to Solomon without knowing Adonijah’s true motive.
- Solomon perceived that Adonijah was making a veiled attempt to gain power and deemed it worthy of death.
- Solomon sent Benaiah who carried out Adonijah’s execution for his scheming.
Adonijah was putting on an act, feigning meek submission while still grasping for royal authority. Solomon saw through this act as disguised treason and proceeded decisively to eliminate the threat.
Final Summary and Overview
In summary, Adonijah was one of David’s many sons who attempted to seize the kingship before Solomon was established on the throne. He saw himself as entitled to rule after David and schemed to exalt himself as king. However, through the quick action of Nathan, Bathsheba and Solomon, his coup was thwarted. His subsequent manipulative request for Abishag sealed his fate. Solomon ordered his execution to consolidate power and remove potential threats. Adonijah’s story illustrates many negative traits like entitlement, ambition, impatience, and deception. His life stands as a warning example against self-promotion and self-will instead of submission to God’s plans. Though flawed, Adonijah played a role in solidifying Solomon’s rise to the throne in Israel.