Illustration created for this project.
Adonijah
A son of David who tried to seize the throne ahead of Solomon.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Origin & birthplace
Family & lineage
Tribe & people
BibleOf the tribe of Judah.
1 Kings 1:5
Life, role & deeds
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersJosephus retells the story of David's fourth son Adonijah, his self-elevation as king while David lay dying, the counter-move that secured Solomon's succession, and his later execution over the request for Abishag. This is a first-century narrative dependent on the biblical text, a paraphrase rather than an outside witness.
Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 7 (succession narrative), continued at the opening of Book 8 (Adonijah's execution under Solomon); first-century paraphrase of 1 Kings 1-2, not an independent witness. Text: ed./tr. R. Marcus, Loeb Classical Library, Josephus vol. V (Antiquities V-VIII), Harvard Univ. Press, 1934.
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe Hebrew name Adoniyah / Adoniyahu is theophoric, combining adon ('lord') with the divine name Yah, yielding roughly 'Yahweh is my Lord.' Names of this pattern are well attested on Iron Age Hebrew seals and bullae, though none can be securely tied to David's son.
Onomastic analysis of the theophoric element -yah/-yahu
Where in scripture
1 KingsFamily
In their own words — 6 recorded sayings
“Then Adonijah, the son of Haggith, lifting himself up in pride, said, I will become king; and he made ready his carriages of war and his horsemen, with fifty runners to go before him.” — 1 Kings 1:5
“And while the words were on his lips, Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, came; and Adonijah said, Come in; for you are a man of good faith and the news which you have for us will be good.” — 1 Kings 1:42
“Then Adonijah, the son of Haggith, came to Bath-sheba, the mother of Solomon. And she said, Come you in peace? And he said, Yes, in peace.” — 1 Kings 2:13
“Then he said, I have something to say to you. And she said, Say on.” — 1 Kings 2:14
“And he said, You saw how the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had the idea that I would be their king; but now the kingdom is turned about, and has become my brother's, for it was given to him by the Lord. Now I have one request to make to you, and do not say, No, to me. And she said to him, Say on.” — 1 Kings 2:15-16
“Then he said, Will you go to Solomon the king (for he will not say, No, to you) and put before him my request that he will give me Abishag the Shunammite for a wife?” — 1 Kings 2:17
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Places in their life
Photo: Godot13 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
In art
