Adonijahs

Adonijah was a son of King David of Israel, as recorded in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the Books of Kings and Chronicles. He was the fourth son of David, born in Hebron, and his mother was Haggith. Following the deaths of his older brothers Amnon and Absalom, Adonijah positioned himself as the heir apparent to the throne. He garnered support from some influential figures, including the general Joab and the priest Abiathar.

Towards the end of David's life, Adonijah attempted to seize the throne. He held a feast and proclaimed himself king without David's explicit consent. However, this bid for power was ultimately unsuccessful. The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, David's wife, intervened and alerted the elderly King David to Adonijah's actions. David then reaffirmed his previous promise that Solomon, Bathsheba's son, would succeed him. Solomon was subsequently anointed king.

After Solomon became king, Adonijah's ambition did not entirely cease. In a later incident, Adonijah requested Abishag, a young woman who had attended to David in his old age, as his wife. Solomon perceived this request as a further challenge to his authority, as requesting one of the former king's concubines was seen as a claim to kingship. Consequently, Solomon ordered Adonijah's execution for treason. Adonijah's story serves as a narrative of failed succession and the consequences of ambition within the Davidic dynasty.