Bible Dictionaries
Adonijah

Morrish Bible Dictionary

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 .

Bibliography Information
Morrish, George. Entry for 'Adonijah'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​mbd/​a/adonijah.html. 1897.