Lexical Definition

‎אֲדֹנִיָּה‎ ʼĂdônîyâh (ad-o-nee-yaw') Adonijah N:N-M-P
original (prolonged) אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ ʼĂdônîyâhûw (ad-o-nee-yaw'-hoo) ; from ‎אָדוֹן‎ and ‎יָהּ‎; lord (i.e. worshipper) of Jah

Adonijah.

1) fourth son of David and Solomon's rival for the throne
2) Levite sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law
3) a chief of the people who co-operated with Nehemiah

Usage: 18 forms in 24 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֥הוּ to Adonijah 1Kgs.2.21
לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ to Adonijah 1Kgs.1.43 • 1Kgs.1.49
לַאֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ for Adonijah 1Kgs.2.22
וַאֲדֹנִיָּ֧ה and Adonijah 1Kgs.1.5
וַאֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ and Adonijah 1Kgs.1.50
אֲדֹנִיָֽהוּ Adonijah 1Kgs.1.13
אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ Adonijah 1Kgs.1.8 • 1Kgs.1.25 • 1Kgs.2.24
אֲדֹנִיָּֽה Adonijah 1Kgs.1.7
אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה Adonijah 1Chr.3.2
אֲדֹנִיָּ֣הוּ Adonijah 1Kgs.1.11 • 1Kgs.2.13
אֲדֹנִיָּ֣ה Adonijah 2Sam.3.4
אֲדֹנִיָּ֙הוּ֙ Adonijah 1Kgs.1.42
אֲדֹנִיָּ֗הוּ Adonijah 1Kgs.1.9 • 1Kgs.1.41
אֲדֹנִיָּ֖הוּ Adonijah 1Kgs.1.24
אֲדֹנִיָּ֖ה Adonijah 1Kgs.1.18
אֲדֹנִיָּ֔ה Adonijah 1Kgs.2.28
אֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ Adonijah 1Kgs.2.19
אֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ Adonijah 1Kgs.1.51 • 1Kgs.2.23

Extended Information

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎(אֲדֹיִּנָה) אֲדֹנִיָּ֫הוּ‎ proper name, masculine (my Lord is Yahweh, compare Phoenician ‎אדנאשמן‎, ‎אדנבעל‎, ‎אדנשמש‎ etc., in Assyrian Aduniba' al SchrKB II, 172)

1. fourth son of David 1Kgs 1:8 + 11 t., 1Kgs 2:13 + 5 t. (= ‎אֲדֹנִיָּה‎ 2Sam 3:4; 1Kgs 1:5; 1Kgs 1:7; 1Kgs 1:18; 1Kgs 2:28; 1Chr 3:2).

2. a Levite 2Chr 17:8.

3. a chief of the people Neh 10:17* (= ‎אֲדֹנִיקָם‎ Neh 7:18; Ezra 2:13 compare Ezra 8:13).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book Refs
2 Samuel 3:4
1 Kings 1:5 · 1:7 · 1:8 · 1:18 · 2:13 · 2:28
1 Chronicles 3:2
2 Chronicles 17:8
Ezra 2:13 · 8:13
Nehemiah 7:18 · 10:17*

Profile

Male • David's son • Son of David who attempted to seize the throne

David's son living at the time of United Monarchy

Adonijah, the fourth son of David, declared himself king when David was old, but Solomon was chosen to succeed David instead, and Adonijah was later put to death for his rebellious actions.

Adonijah was the fourth son of King David, born to him in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:2). He was the son of Haggith and was born after Absalom, who had also rebelled against David.

When King David was old and frail, Adonijah exalted himself, declaring, "I will be king" (1 Kings 1:5). He prepared chariots, horses, and fifty men to run before him, and he conferred with Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest, who followed and supported him. However, he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon to his coronation (1 Kings 1:7-10).

Nathan, aware of Adonijah's actions, advised Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to inform David and remind him of his oath to make Solomon king after him. David, upon hearing this, confirmed his choice of Solomon and ordered his anointing and proclamation as king (1 Kings 1:11-40).

When Adonijah and his supporters heard that Solomon had been anointed king, they fled in fear. Adonijah took hold of the horns of the altar, seeking protection. Solomon spared his life on the condition that he would show himself to be a worthy man (1 Kings 1:50-53).

However, after David's death, Adonijah made a request through Bathsheba to be given Abishag the Shunammite, who had been David's companion in his old age, as his wife. Solomon perceived this request as a claim to the throne and ordered Benaiah to execute Adonijah (1 Kings 2:13-25).

Adonijah's story serves as a warning against ambition and rebellion, highlighting the importance of submitting to God's chosen leadership and the consequences of seeking power through illegitimate means.

All entries for Adonijah: אֲדֹנִיָּה