One of David’s sons who tried to become king instead of his brother Solomon.
About Adonijah (Son of David)
David’s fourth son. Haggith gave birth to him at Hebron (2 Samuel 3:4). After his three older brothers (Amnon, Chileab, and Absalom) died, Adonijah was next to become king after David. According to 1 Kings, David promised his wife Bathsheba that their son Solomon would be the next king (1 Kings 1:17).
When David seemed to be dying, Adonijah began to prepare to become king (1 Kings 1:1–10). Before this could happen, David named Solomon as the next king (1 Kings 1:11–40). Adonijah avoided Solomon at first (1 Kings 1:41–53), but eventually, he asked King Solomon for permission to marry Abishag. Abishag was the woman from Shunem who was caring for David during his last days. In the ancient Near East, taking the concubine of a deceased king was the same as claiming the throne. This made Solomon angry and he ordered Adonijah to be killed (1 Kings 2:13–25).
Family Relationships
- Parents
- David, Haggith
- Half-siblings 20
- Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua (2 Samuel 5:14), Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg (2 Samuel 5:15), Japhia (2 Samuel 5:15), Elishama (2 Samuel 5:16), Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah, Jerimoth (2 Chronicles 11:18)
- Nieces & Nephews 6
- Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27), Mattatha, Taphath, Basemath (1 Kings 4:15), Rehoboam, Mahalath (2 Chronicles 11:18)
- Aunts 2
- Zeruiah, Abigail (Sister of King David)
- Uncles 7
- Eliab (Son of Jesse), Abinadab (Son of Jesse), Shimeah, Nethanel (1 Chronicles 2:14), Raddai, Ozem, Elihu (1 Chronicles 27:18)
- Cousins 6
- Abihail (Daughter of Eliab), Jonadab, Abishai, Joab, Asahel, Amasa
Key References
And sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel;
his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;
his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;
and his sixth was Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron.
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.
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!’
the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;
All Scripture References (24)
2 Samuel (1)
his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;
1 Kings (22)
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.
So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.
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.
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?
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?’
But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know it.
“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?
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!’
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.
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.”
“Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.
At this, all the guests of Adonijah arose in terror and scattered.
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.
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.’”
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.
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.
So Bathsheba said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife.”
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!”
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.
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!”
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.
1 Chronicles (1)
the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;