Bible Cross References
Adonijah
1 Kings 1:5-18
5
Now that Absalom was dead, Adonijah, the son of David and Haggith, was the oldest surviving son. He was a very handsome man. David had never reprimanded him about anything, and he was ambitious to be king. He provided for himself chariots, horses, and an escort of fifty men.
7
He talked with Joab (whose mother was Zeruiah) and with Abiathar the priest, and they agreed to support his cause.
8
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's bodyguards were not on Adonijah's side.
9
One day Adonijah offered a sacrifice of sheep, bulls, and fattened calves at Snake Rock, near the spring of Enrogel. He invited the other sons of King David and the king's officials who were from Judah to come to this sacrificial feast,
10
but he did not invite his half brother Solomon or Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king's bodyguards.
11
Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked her, "Haven't you heard that Haggith's son Adonijah has made himself king? And King David doesn't know anything about it!
12
If you want to save your life and the life of your son Solomon, I would advise you to
13
go at once to King David and ask him, 'Your Majesty, didn't you solemnly promise me that my son Solomon would succeed you as king? How is it, then, that Adonijah has become king?' "
14
And Nathan added, "Then, while you are still talking with King David, I will come in and confirm your story."
15
So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, was taking care of him.
16
Bathsheba bowed low before the king, and he asked, "What do you want?"
17
She answered, "Your Majesty, you made me a solemn promise in the name of the LORD your God that my son Solomon would be king after you.
18
But Adonijah has already become king, and you don't know anything about it.
1 Kings 2:13-25
13
Then Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, went to Bathsheba, who was Solomon's mother. "Is this a friendly visit?" she asked. "It is," he answered,
14
and then he added, "I have something to ask of you." "What is it?" she asked.
15
He answered, "You know that I should have become king and that everyone in Israel expected it. But it happened differently, and my brother became king because it was the LORD's will.
16
And now I have one request to make; please do not refuse me." "What is it?" Bathsheba asked.
17
He answered, "Please ask King Solomon---I know he won't refuse you---to let me have Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, as my wife."
18
"Very well," she answered. "I will speak to the king for you."
19
So Bathsheba went to the king to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. The king stood up to greet his mother and bowed to her. Then he sat on his throne and had another one brought in on which she sat at his right.
20
She said, "I have a small favor to ask of you; please do not refuse me." "What is it, mother?" he asked. "I will not refuse you."
21
She answered, "Let your brother Adonijah have Abishag as his wife."
22
"Why do you ask me to give Abishag to him?" the king asked. "You might as well ask me to give him the throne too. After all, he is my older brother, and Abiathar the priest and Joab are on his side!"
23
Then Solomon made a solemn promise in the LORD's name, "May God strike me dead if I don't make Adonijah pay with his life for asking this!
24
The LORD has firmly established me on the throne of my father David; he has kept his promise and given the kingdom to me and my descendants. I swear by the living LORD that Adonijah will die this very day!"
25
So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah, who went out and killed Adonijah.