Adonijah was one of King David’s sons, born to him by Haggith. His life is marked by ambition, political maneuvering, and ultimately, judgment. He is best known for his attempt to seize the throne near the end of David’s life.
1 Kings 1:5 introduces Adonijah’s intentions:
“Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, ‘I will be king’; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.”
Although Solomon had been chosen by God and David to succeed the throne, Adonijah took advantage of David’s old age and tried to establish himself as king without divine or royal approval. He gathered support from Joab (David’s military commander) and Abiathar the priest, but not from Zadok the priest or Nathan the prophet.
Nathan and Bathsheba intervened, and David quickly acted to have Solomon anointed king. Adonijah’s plan failed, and he sought mercy by taking hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50). Solomon spared his life on the condition he show himself worthy.
However, in 1 Kings 2:13–25, Adonijah made a political move by asking to marry Abishag, the young woman who had cared for David in his final days. Solomon interpreted this as an attempt to claim the throne indirectly. As a result, Solomon ordered his execution:
“So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died.” (1 Kings 2:25)
Adonijah’s life is a cautionary account of self-exaltation and rebellion against God’s appointed order. His desire for power and his failure to submit to God’s will through Solomon led to his downfall.
