The fourth son of David, by Haggith, 2 Samuel 3:4 . After the death of Amnon and Absalom, he aspired to the throne, although it was promised to Solomon, his younger brother. Having gained over Joab and Abiathar and other adherents, he at length openly revolted and claimed the crown while David was yet living. The news of this revolt being brought to the king at once; upon which the friends of Adonijah dispersed, and he took refuge at the horns of the altar. Solomon dismissed him with only an admonition. But soon after the death of David, he applied for the hand of Abishag, thus renewing his pretensions to the throne, for which he was put to death, 1 Kings 1:1-2:46 .

TOB-ADONIJAH . One of the Levites sent by Jehoshaphat to teach in the cities of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 17:8 ).

Good is Jehovah, my Lord, a Levite sent out by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people of Judah in the law (2 Chronicles 17:8 ).

My Lord is Jehovah. The fourth son of David (2Samuel 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" (1Kings 1:5-53). He afterwards made a second attempt to gain the throne, but was seized and put to death (1Kings 2:13-25). A Levite sent with the princes to teach the book of the law to the inhabitants of Judah (2Chronicles 17:8). One of the "chiefs of the people" after the Captivity (Nehemiah 10:16 ).

2 Chronicles 17:8.

My good God; the goodness of the foundation of the Lord

(See ABIATHAR) and ABSALOM). Means "My Lord is Jehovah", or, "Jah my Father". 1. Fourth son of David, by Haggith, born at Hebron. Very goodly in looks, like Absalom. Foolishly indulged by his father, who "had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?" Never crossed when young, he naturally expected to have his own way when old; and took it, to his father's grief in his old age, and to his own destruction. Compare Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 22:6; "Train up a child in the way he should go;" not in the way he would go: 1 Kings 1:6. When David was seemingly too old to offer energetic resistance, Adonijah as now the oldest son, about 35 years old (compare 2 Samuel 3:2-4 with 2 Samuel 5:5), Amnon, Chileab, and Absalom being dead, claimed the throne, in defiance of God's expressed will, and David's oath to Bathsheba that Solomon should inherit the throne (1 Chronicles 22:9-10). Like Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1) he assumed regal state, with chariots, horsemen, and 50 men to run before him (2 Kings 1; 2). Nathan the prophet, Zadok (Eleazar's descendant, and so of the older line of priesthood), Benaiah son of Jehoiada, captain of the king's guard, Shimei and Rei (or Shimma, Raddai), David's own brothers, supported Solomon. Adonijah was supported by Abiathar, Eli's descendant of Ithamar's (Aaron's fourth son's) line, the junior line, and Joab who perhaps had a misgiving as to the possibility of Solomon's punishing his murder of Abner and Amasa, and a grudge toward David for having appointed the latter commander in chief in his stead (2 Samuel 19:13). Adonijah had also invited to a feast by the stone Zoheleth at En-rogel all the king's sons except Solomon, and the captains of the host, the king's servants, of Judah. A meeting for a religious purpose, such as that of consecrating a king, was usually held near a fountain, which En-rogel was. Nathan and Bathsheba foiled his plot by inducing David to have Solomon conducted in procession on the king's mule to Gihon, a spring W. of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:30). Upon his being anointed and proclaimed by Zadok, all the people hailed him, God save the king! Adonijah's party, surprised suddenly amidst their feasting, typify sinners' carnal security, from which the Lord's coming suddenly shall startle them to their destruction (Matthew 24:48; Luke 12:45; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; compare 1 Kings 1:49). Adonijah, at the tidings announced by Jonathan, Abiathar's son, fled for sanctuary, to the horns of the altar. Solomon would have spared him had he shown himself "a worthy man." But on David's death he, through the queen mother Bathsheba, now exalted to Special dignity, sought Abishag, David's virgin widow, to be given him, a contemplated incest only second to that perpetrated by Absalom, whom he so much resembled, and also a connection which was regarded in the East as tantamount to a covert claim to the deceased monarch's throne. (See ABNER and (See ABSALOM.) Benaiah dispatched him. 2. A Levite in Jehoshaphat's reign (2 Chronicles 17:8), sent with the princes to teach the book of the law throughout Judah. 3. Nehemiah 10:16, called Adonikam in Ezra 2:13, whose children were 666 (compare Revelation 13:18, the numerical mark of the beast), Revelation 8:13; Nehemiah 7:18; Nehemiah 10:16, but 667 in Nehemiah 7:18.

ADONIJAH (‘Jah is Lord’). 1 . The fourth of the six sons of David who were born in Hebron; his mother was Haggith, a name which is possibly of Philistine origin ( 2 Samuel 3:4 ). The story of Adonijah (typical of many an Oriental court intrigue) is recorded in 1 Kings 1:1-53 ; 1 Kings 2:1-36 ; as here recounted it permits of more than one interpretation, for that this passage has been subjected to an ‘editorial’ process can scarcely be doubted, and, in face of the difficulties of interpretation brought about by this, we are forced to reconstruct the course of events to some extent. After the death of Absalom, Adonijah became the rightful heir to the throne; there was no sort of doubt about his right, it was taken for granted both by himself and by the people at large (1 Kings 2:15 ). But Bathsheba, it appears, was anxious to secure the succession for her son, Solomon; with this object in view, she, assisted by the prophet Nathan, heads a party at the court inimical to the claims of Adonijah. It would not have been long before the friends of Adonijah discovered the intrigue that was on foot; and Adonijah, learning the peril he was in of losing his rightful succession, concerts means for counteracting the machinations of his enemies. The old, trusted servants of the kingdom, Joab and Abiathar, rally round him, as one would expect; he gathers his friends together at the stone of Zoheleth, and by the visible act of sacrificing, proclaims his kingship; this last was, however, an act of unwisdom, as it gave a handle to his enemies, for king David was still alive. These, naturally on the alert, represent the gathering to David, now very aged, as an attempt to usurp the throne while he is yet alive; Bathsheba reminds David of his promise that Solomon, her son, should succeed him on the throne ( 1 Kings 1:17 ) ^[1]; David, remembering perhaps the rebellion of Absalom (whom Adonijah seems to have resembled in temperament as well as in outward appearance), is easily prevailed upon to transfer the succession to Solomon ( 1 Kings 1:33 ff.). Even so it is very doubtful whether Bathsheba would have succeeded in her plan had it not been that she was enabled to gain Benaiah to her side; as captain of the king’s body-guard (the Cherethites and Pelethites), Beuaiah was the man upon whom the issue really depended, for he commanded the only armed troops that were immediately available. In an emergency such as this, everything would depend upon who could strike the first decisive blow. Had the old commander-in-chief Joab had time to assemble his forces, no doubt the issue would have been different; but Bathsheba and her friends had laid their plans too well, and they won the day. Adonijah is ‘pardoned’ ( 1 Kings 1:52-53 ); it would nave been dangerous, owing to the attitude of the people ( 1 Kings 2:15 ), to put him to death until Solomon was secure on the throne; but as he was rightful heir, the safety of Solomon’s throne could never be guaranteed as long as Adonijah was alive. Bathsheba was not the woman to be oblivious of this fact, accordingly she recommences her intrigues; she represents to Solomon that Adonijah is desirous of marrying Abishag the Shunammite, the maiden who was brought to David in his old age ( 1 Kings 1:3-4 ), and who, according to Oriental ideas, was regarded as one of the royal wives. Such a desire was naturally interpreted by Solomon as an intention of seeking the kingdom ( 1 Kings 2:22 ), and self-preservation compelled him to decree Adonijah’s death, a sentence which was carried out by Benaiah ( 1 Kings 2:25 ). The above is not in entire accord with the Biblical account, which in its present form gives rise to a number of serious difficulties. We shall mention but two of these. The request which Adonijah asks Bathsheba to convey (1 Kings 2:17 ) was the most grievous insult that could have been offered to the king; Adonijah would have known precisely what the result would be, viz. death to himself, unless supported by an army; but there is no hint that he contemplated an armed rising. Secondly, Bathsheba is quite the last person he would have asked to prefer this request; as mother of the king, and prime mover in the successful conspiracy which had robbed him of his succession, he would know better than to place himself so gratuitously within her power. Adonijah is one of those men whose cruel fate and tragic death, both undeserved, must call forth deep sympathy and commiseration. 2 . Perhaps = Adonikam , one of those that sealed the covenant ( Nehemiah 9:38 ; Nehemiah 10:16 ). 3 . One of those sent, in the third year of Jehosbaphat, to teach the Law in the cities of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 ). W. O. E. Oesterley.

(adoh ni' jah) Personal name meaning, “Yah is Lord.” 1. The fourth son of David. His mother's name was Haggith (2 Samuel 3:4 ). In David's old age, Adonijah maneuvered to succeed his father on the throne of Israel, but his effort failed (1 Kings 1:5-50 ). After Solomon's accession to the throne, Adonijah gave renewed expression to his regal aspirations by asking for Abishag, David's nurse, as a wife. Solomon's response to this request was to have Adonijah put to death. (1 Kings 2:13-28 ). See 2 Chronicles 8:1 ). 3 . A leader of the Jews after the Exile who signed Nehemiah's covenant to obey God's law (Nehemiah 10:16 ).

The Lord is my master

The fourth son of David. His name forms a wonderful compound of two glorious names of the Lord. So very earnest were the children of Israel to preserve the constant remembrance of the Lord God of their fathers in their families, (1 Kings 1:5)

Adonijah (ăd'o-nî'jah), my lord is Jehovah. 1. The fourth son of David, by Haggith, born at Hebron. 2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:2. When his father was old, he, being a man of fine person and probably popular, aspired to the crown, in order to exclude Solomon. He was joined by Joab and Abiathar, and seems to have had the countenance of his brothers. But David, being informed by Bath-sheba and Nathan, immediately ordered Solomon to be anointed king; and the intelligence of this broke up the conspiracy. Solomon promised, if Adonijah remained quiet, that this offence should be overlooked. 1 Kings 1:1-53. He did not remain quiet, but, after David's death, persuaded Bath-sheba to ask for him Abishag, a woman of bis father's harem. Solomon, regarding this as a renewal of his attempt upon the crown, commanded him to be executed. 1 Kings 2:13-25. 2. A Levite in Jehoshaphat's time. 2 Chronicles 17:8. 3. One who sealed the covenant. Nehemiah 10:16.

(d. 837 BCE) Son of King David. Toward the end of David's life, Adonijah proclaimed himself his father’s successor–an act that was immediately countermanded by David. Eventually he was killed by his brother, King Solomon for an attempted act of treason.

1. Fourth son of David by Haggith, born at Hebron. 2 Samuel 3:4 . He was apparently the oldest of David's sons at the close of David's life, and may have supposed that he would succeed to the throne; but without consulting his father he said, "I will be king," and both Joab and Abiathar helped him. David at once proclaimed Solomon as king. Adonijah ran in fear to the horns of the altar, but Solomon promised if he showed himself a worthy man he should not be hurt. He afterwards asked to have as wife Abishag with whom David had shared his bed. According to Herodotus (3. 68) this was in eastern countries considered as a pretension to the crown, which agrees with Solomon saying, 'Ask for him the kingdom also,' and explains also the advice given by Ahithophel to Absalom, to go in publicly to his father's wives. Adonijah was at once put to death. 1 Kings 2:19-25 . 2. Levite in the time of Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 17:8 . 3. One who sealed the covenant in Nehemiah 10:16 .

During what appeared to be the last days of the aged king David, his son Adonijah decided to establish himself as king before David died. He was the eldest of David’s surviving sons (cf. 2 Samuel 3:2-4), and had the support of the army commander Joab and the senior priest Abiathar (1 Kings 1:5-7). But God had showed David that Solomon was to succeed him (1 Chronicles 28:5), and Solomon had the support of the commander of the royal bodyguard Benaiah, the other leading priest Zadok, and the prophet Nathan (1 Kings 1:8). As a result of swift action by Nathan, David promptly declared Solomon to be king. The ambitious Adonijah could do nothing but cry to Solomon for mercy (1 Kings 1:6-53). Soon after David’s death, however, Solomon executed Adonijah for treason. He considered Adonijah’s request for Abishag as wife was a claim to David’s concubines, and therefore a claim to David’s throne (1 Kings 2:13-25; see ABISHAG).