Topical Bible: Ambition: Adonijah

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Adonijah, the fourth son of King David, is a prominent biblical figure whose account is marked by ambition and the pursuit of power. His narrative is primarily found in the opening chapters of 1 Kings, where his actions and their consequences are detailed.

Background and Family Lineage

Adonijah was born to David and Haggith, making him a half-brother to Solomon. As the eldest surviving son of David after the deaths of Amnon and Absalom, Adonijah might have considered himself the natural heir to the throne. His ambition is evident in his attempts to secure the kingship for himself, despite David's intentions for Solomon to succeed him.

Adonijah's Ambition and Attempted Usurpation

Adonijah's ambition is first explicitly revealed in 1 Kings 1:5: "Now Adonijah, the son of Haggith, exalted himself, saying, 'I will be king.' So he prepared chariots, cavalry, and fifty men to run ahead of him." This self-exaltation and preparation for kingship demonstrate his desire to seize power, bypassing the divine and paternal choice of Solomon as the next king.

Adonijah's actions were not merely personal but involved a strategic alliance with key figures in David's court. He conferred with Joab, the commander of the army, and Abiathar the priest, both of whom supported his claim (1 Kings 1:7). This coalition indicates Adonijah's political acumen and his understanding of the importance of influential supporters in his quest for the throne.

The Intervention of Nathan and Bathsheba

The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, played crucial roles in countering Adonijah's ambition. Nathan, aware of Adonijah's actions, approached Bathsheba to inform King David of the situation. Bathsheba reminded David of his promise that Solomon would succeed him, prompting David to take decisive action to ensure Solomon's anointing as king (1 Kings 1:11-31).

David's response was swift and public. He ordered Solomon to be anointed by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, and to ride on the king's mule, a symbol of royal authority (1 Kings 1:32-40). This public endorsement effectively thwarted Adonijah's plans and established Solomon as the legitimate king.

Adonijah's Submission and Subsequent Actions

Upon hearing of Solomon's anointing, Adonijah's supporters dispersed, and he sought refuge at the altar, fearing retribution (1 Kings 1:50). Solomon, demonstrating initial clemency, spared Adonijah's life on the condition of his good behavior (1 Kings 1:52-53).

However, Adonijah's ambition resurfaced when he requested to marry Abishag, David's former concubine. This request, interpreted as another attempt to claim the throne, led to his downfall. Solomon, perceiving the political implications, ordered Adonijah's execution (1 Kings 2:13-25).

Theological and Moral Implications

Adonijah's account serves as a cautionary tale about unchecked ambition and the consequences of seeking power outside of God's ordained plan. His actions highlight the dangers of self-exaltation and the importance of humility and obedience to divine will. The narrative underscores the biblical principle that true leadership and authority are granted by God, not seized through human ambition.

Adonijah's ambition ultimately led to his demise, contrasting with Solomon's divinely sanctioned rise to power. His account is a reminder of the biblical teaching found in Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 1:5
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Adonijah
... and dragged down angels from realms of light. This was the ambition which
let Adonijah exalt himself, and say, "I will be king.". ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... Adonijah also, as afraid of the king for what he had done, became a supplicant to ...
as in particular did David, when he saw the zeal and forward ambition of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
... Amnon's incest, Absalom's murder and proud rebellion,"Adonijah's scheming ambition:
truly these were grievous wounds for the man after God's own heart to ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvi prov 22 6 the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm