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H138 · Hebrew · Old Testament
אֲדֹנִיָּה
Adoniyah
Proper noun, masculine
Adonijah — My Lord is Yahweh

Definition

The name Adoniyah is a theophoric compound: adon (lord) + Yah (Yahweh), meaning "my Lord is Yahweh." Most notably the name of David's fourth son who attempted to seize the throne before his father's death.

Usage & Theological Significance

Adonijah's story teaches that presumption cannot override divine appointment. Though natural successor by birth order, he had not been chosen by God. His declaration "I will be king" (1 Kings 1:5) was overturned by God's covenantal promise that Solomon would reign. His fate warns against seizing what God has not given.

Key Bible Verses

1 Kings 1:5 Adonijah son of Haggith put himself forward and said, "I will be king." So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him.
1 Kings 1:11 Nathan asked Bathsheba, "Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?"
1 Kings 1:50 But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar.
1 Kings 2:23 King Solomon replied, "May God deal with me severely, if Adonijah does not pay with his life for this request!"
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

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External Resources

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