Adonijah
David's ambitious son and claimant to the throne
Also known as: Adonijah
As the fourth of David's sons, born to Haggith in Hebron, Adonijah emerged as the leading claimant to the throne after his older brothers Amnon and Absalom had died. In King David's final days, he took the initiative and declared himself the new king of Israel, supported by the commander Joab and the priest Abiathar. His attempt was nevertheless thwarted through the intervention of the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, who reminded David of the promise that Solomon would inherit the throne. The event highlights an important theological principle in Israel's monarchy: succession to the throne was not determined by birthright, but by divine choice conveyed through the king's own word. After Solomon ascended the throne, Adonijah once again tried to strengthen his position by requesting Abishag of Shunem as his wife—a request that Solomon interpreted as a hidden claim to royal power. This final political misstep cost him his life, and Benaiah was sent to carry out the death sentence.
Family
Key events
Adonijah Proclaims Himself King
After Absalom's death, Adonijah was the oldest surviving son of David and began to act as a claimant to the throne. He acquired chariots, horsemen, and fifty men who ran ahead of him, and secured support from the commander Joab and the priest Abiathar.
5Now Adonijah son of Haggith put himself forward, saying, "I will be king." He provided himself with chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.
וַאֲדֹנִיָּ֧ה בֶן־חַגִּ֛ית מִתְנַשֵּׂ֥א לֵאמֹ֖ר אֲנִ֣י אֶמְלֹ֑ךְ וַיַּ֣עַשׂ ל֗וֹ רֶ֚כֶב וּפָ֣רָשִׁ֔ים וַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ רָצִ֥ים לְפָנָֽיו׃
6His father had never rebuked him or asked, "Why have you done this?" He was also very handsome, and he was born next after Absalom.
וְלֹֽא־עֲצָב֨וֹ אָבִ֤יו מִיָּמָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מַדּ֖וּעַ כָּ֣כָה עָשִׂ֑יתָ וְגַם־ה֤וּא טֽוֹב־תֹּ֙אַר֙ מְאֹ֔ד וְאֹת֥וֹ יָלְדָ֖ה אַחֲרֵ֥י אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃
7He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave their support to Adonijah.
וַיִּהְי֣וּ דְבָרָ֔יו עִ֚ם יוֹאָ֣ב בֶּן־צְרוּיָ֔ה וְעִ֖ם אֶבְיָתָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וַֽיַּעְזְר֔וּ אַחֲרֵ֖י אֲדֹנִיָּֽה׃
8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's own warriors did not side with Adonijah.
וְצָד֣וֹק הַ֠כֹּהֵן וּבְנָיָ֨הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֜ע וְנָתָ֤ן הַנָּבִיא֙ וְשִׁמְעִ֣י וְרֵעִ֔י וְהַגִּבּוֹרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְדָוִ֑ד לֹ֥א הָי֖וּ עִם־אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃
The Sacrificial Feast at En-Rogel
Adonijah arranged a great sacrificial feast at the Stone of Zoheleth near En-Rogel, where he invited his brothers and royal officials. Solomon, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah, and David's bodyguards were deliberately excluded from the invitation.
9Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah who were royal officials,
וַיִּזְבַּ֣ח אֲדֹנִיָּ֗הוּ צֹ֤אן וּבָקָר֙ וּמְרִ֔יא עִ֚ם אֶ֣בֶן הַזֹּחֶ֔לֶת אֲשֶׁר־אֵ֖צֶל עֵ֣ין רֹגֵ֑ל וַיִּקְרָ֗א אֶת־כָּל־אֶחָיו֙ בְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּלְכָל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה עַבְדֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
10but he did not invite Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah, or the warriors, or his brother Solomon.
וְֽאֶת־נָתָן֩ הַנָּבִ֨יא וּבְנָיָ֜הוּ וְאֶת־הַגִּבּוֹרִ֛ים וְאֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה אָחִ֖יו לֹ֥א קָרָֽא׃
Nathan and Bathsheba Intervene with David
The prophet Nathan warned Bathsheba about Adonijah's plans, and together they went to the aging King David to remind him of his promise that Solomon would inherit the throne and sit on his royal seat.
11Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it?
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר נָתָ֗ן אֶל־בַּת־שֶׁ֤בַע אֵם־שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הֲל֣וֹא שָׁמַ֔עַתְּ כִּ֥י מָלַ֖ךְ אֲדֹנִיָּ֣הוּ בֶן־חַגִּ֑ית וַאֲדֹנֵ֥ינוּ דָוִ֖ד לֹ֥א יָדָֽע׃
12Come now, let me advise you how to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
וְעַתָּ֕ה לְכִ֛י אִיעָצֵ֥ךְ נָ֖א עֵצָ֑ה וּמַלְּטִי֙ אֶת־נַפְשֵׁ֔ךְ וְאֶת־נֶ֥פֶשׁ בְּנֵ֖ךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃
13Go in to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to your servant, "Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?'
לְכִ֞י וּבֹ֣אִי ׀ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֗ד וְאָמַ֤רְתְּ אֵלָיו֙ הֲלֹֽא־אַתָּ֞ה אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ נִשְׁבַּ֤עְתָּ לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כִּֽי־שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה בְנֵךְ֙ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ אַחֲרַ֔י וְה֖וּא יֵשֵׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְאִ֑י וּמַדּ֖וּעַ מָלַ֥ךְ אֲדֹנִיָֽהוּ׃
14While you are still speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm what you have said."
הִנֵּ֗ה עוֹדָ֛ךְ מְדַבֶּ֥רֶת שָׁ֖ם עִם־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַאֲנִי֙ אָב֣וֹא אַחֲרַ֔יִךְ וּמִלֵּאתִ֖י אֶת־דְּבָרָֽיִךְ׃
15So Bathsheba went in to the king in his chamber. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending him.
וַתָּבֹ֨א בַת־שֶׁ֤בֶע אֶל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַחַ֔דְרָה וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ זָקֵ֣ן מְאֹ֑ד וַֽאֲבִישַׁג֙ הַשּׁ֣וּנַמִּ֔ית מְשָׁרַ֖ת אֶת־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
16Bathsheba bowed low and paid homage to the king. "What do you want?" the king asked.
וַתִּקֹּ֣ד בַּת־שֶׁ֔בַע וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מַה־לָּֽךְ׃
17She said to him, "My lord, you yourself swore to your servant by the LORD your God: 'Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne.'
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ אֲדֹנִי֙ אַתָּ֨ה נִשְׁבַּ֜עְתָּ בַּֽיהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לַֽאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי־שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה בְנֵ֖ךְ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ אַחֲרָ֑י וְה֖וּא יֵשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסְאִֽי׃
18But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, know nothing about it.
וְעַתָּ֕ה הִנֵּ֥ה אֲדֹנִיָּ֖ה מָלָ֑ךְ וְעַתָּ֛ה אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לֹ֥א יָדָֽעְתָּ׃
19He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited your servant Solomon.
וַ֠יִּזְבַּח שׁ֥וֹר וּֽמְרִיא־וְצֹאן֮ לָרֹב֒ וַיִּקְרָא֙ לְכָל־בְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּלְאֶבְיָתָר֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וּלְיֹאָ֖ב שַׂ֣ר הַצָּבָ֑א וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֥ה עַבְדְּךָ֖ לֹ֥א קָרָֽא׃
20My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
וְאַתָּה֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עֵינֵ֥י כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עָלֶ֑יךָ לְהַגִּ֣יד לָהֶ֔ם מִ֗י יֵשֵׁ֛ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֥א אֲדֹנִֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אַחֲרָֽיו׃
21Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals."
וְהָיָ֕ה כִּשְׁכַ֥ב אֲדֹנִֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֑יו וְהָיִ֗יתִי אֲנִ֛י וּבְנִ֥י שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה חַטָּאִֽים׃
Solomon Anointed as King
David ordered that Solomon be anointed king at the Gihon Spring by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan. The people's shouts of joy and the blast of trumpets reached Adonijah and his guests at En-Rogel, and the feast was dissolved in fear.
32King David said, "Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." When they came before the king,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֗ד קִרְאוּ־לִ֞י לְצָד֤וֹק הַכֹּהֵן֙ וּלְנָתָ֣ן הַנָּבִ֔יא וְלִבְנָיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָ֑ע וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
33he said to them, "Take your lord's servants with you, set my son Solomon on my own mule, and escort him down to Gihon.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לָהֶ֗ם קְח֤וּ עִמָּכֶם֙ אֶת־עַבְדֵ֣י אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֔ם וְהִרְכַּבְתֶּם֙ אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה בְנִ֔י עַל־הַפִּרְדָּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־לִ֑י וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֥ם אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־גִּחֽוֹן׃
34There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'
וּמָשַׁ֣ח אֹת֣וֹ שָׁ֠ם צָד֨וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְנָתָ֧ן הַנָּבִ֛יא לְמֶ֖לֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּתְקַעְתֶּם֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם יְחִ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃
35Then come back up after him, and let him come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah."
וַעֲלִיתֶ֣ם אַחֲרָ֗יו וּבָא֙ וְיָשַׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְאִ֔י וְה֥וּא יִמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּחְתָּ֑י וְאֹת֤וֹ צִוִּ֙יתִי֙ לִֽהְי֣וֹת נָגִ֔יד עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְעַל־יְהוּדָֽה׃
38So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down, set Solomon on King David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
וַיֵּ֣רֶד צָד֣וֹק הַ֠כֹּהֵן וְנָתָ֨ן הַנָּבִ֜יא וּבְנָיָ֣הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֗ע וְהַכְּרֵתִי֙ וְהַפְּלֵתִ֔י וַיַּרְכִּ֙בוּ֙ אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה עַל־פִּרְדַּ֖ת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֑ד וַיֹּלִ֥כוּ אֹת֖וֹ עַל־גִּחֽוֹן׃
39Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet, and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
וַיִּקַּח֩ צָד֨וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־קֶ֤רֶן הַשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ מִן־הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּמְשַׁ֖ח אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ כָּל־הָעָ֔ם יְחִ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃
40And all the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such great joy that the earth resounded with their noise.
וַיַּעֲל֤וּ כָל־הָעָם֙ אֽ͏ַחֲרָ֔יו וְהָעָם֙ מְחַלְּלִ֣ים בַּחֲלִלִ֔ים וּשְׂמֵחִ֖ים שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וַתִּבָּקַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ בְּקוֹלָֽם׃
41Adonijah and all his guests heard it just as they were finishing their feast. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, "Why is the city in such an uproar?"
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע אֲדֹנִיָּ֗הוּ וְכָל־הַקְּרֻאִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ וְהֵ֖ם כִּלּ֣וּ לֶאֱכֹ֑ל וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע יוֹאָב֙ אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מַדּ֥וּעַ קֽוֹל־הַקִּרְיָ֖ה הוֹמָֽה׃
42Even as he spoke, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, "Come in. You are a man of standing; surely you bring good news."
עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ מְדַבֵּ֔ר וְהִנֵּ֧ה יוֹנָתָ֛ן בֶּן־אֶבְיָתָ֥ר הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בָּ֑א וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲדֹנִיָּ֙הוּ֙ בֹּ֔א כִּ֣י אִ֥ישׁ חַ֛יִל אַ֖תָּה וְט֥וֹב תְּבַשֵּֽׂר׃
43"Not at all," Jonathan answered. "Our lord King David has made Solomon king.
וַיַּ֙עַן֙ יוֹנָתָ֔ן וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ אֲבָ֕ל אֲדֹנֵ֥ינוּ הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־דָּוִ֖ד הִמְלִ֥יךְ אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃
44The king sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they set him on the king's mule.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח אִתּֽוֹ־הַ֠מֶּלֶךְ אֶת־צָד֨וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְאֶת־נָתָ֣ן הַנָּבִ֗יא וּבְנָיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע וְהַכְּרֵתִ֖י וְהַפְּלֵתִ֑י וַיַּרְכִּ֣בוּ אֹת֔וֹ עַ֖ל פִּרְדַּ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
45Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king at Gihon. They came up from there rejoicing, and the city rang with it. That is the noise you heard.
וַיִּמְשְׁח֣וּ אֹת֡וֹ צָד֣וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֣ן וְנָתָן֩ הַנָּבִּ֨יא ׀ לְמֶ֜לֶךְ בְּגִח֗וֹן וַיַּעֲל֤וּ מִשָּׁם֙ שְׂמֵחִ֔ים וַתֵּהֹ֖ם הַקִּרְיָ֑ה ה֥וּא הַקּ֖וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר שְׁמַעְתֶּֽם׃
49At this all Adonijah's guests rose in alarm, and each went his own way.
וַיּֽ͏ֶחֶרְדוּ֙ וַיָּקֻ֔מוּ כָּל־הַ֨קְּרֻאִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ לְדַרְכּֽוֹ׃
Adonijah Seeks Refuge at the Altar
When Adonijah learned that Solomon had been anointed king, he feared for his life and grabbed the horns of the altar. Solomon let him go with the promise that he would be spared as long as he proved himself worthy.
50But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went and took hold of the horns of the altar.
וַאֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ יָרֵ֖א מִפְּנֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיָּ֣קָם וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ וַֽיַּחֲזֵ֖ק בְּקַרְנ֥וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
51Then Solomon was told, "Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and has taken hold of the horns of the altar. He says, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to the sword.'"
וַיֻּגַּ֤ד לִשְׁלֹמֹה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּה֙ אֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ יָרֵ֖א אֶת־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וְ֠הִנֵּה אָחַ֞ז בְּקַרְנ֤וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יִשָּֽׁבַֽע־לִ֤י כַיּוֹם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אִם־יָמִ֥ית אֶת־עַבְדּ֖וֹ בֶּחָֽרֶב׃
52Solomon replied, "If he proves himself a man of honor, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die."
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אִ֚ם יִהְיֶ֣ה לְבֶן־חַ֔יִל לֹֽא־יִפֹּ֥ל מִשַּׂעֲרָת֖וֹ אָ֑רְצָה וְאִם־רָעָ֥ה תִמָּצֵא־ב֖וֹ וָמֵֽת׃
53Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. Adonijah came and bowed before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה וַיֹּרִדֻ֙הוּ֙ מֵעַ֣ל הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וַיָּבֹ֕א וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיֹּֽאמֶר־ל֥וֹ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לֵ֥ךְ לְבֵיתֶֽךָ׃ פ
Adonijah's Request for Abishag and His Execution
After David's death, Adonijah approached Bathsheba with a request to have Abishag the Shunammite as his wife. When Bathsheba brought the matter before Solomon, the king interpreted this as a veiled attempt to claim the throne and ordered Benaiah to execute Adonijah.
13Now Adonijah son of Haggith came to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. She asked, "Do you come in peace?" "In peace," he said.
וַיָּבֹ֞א אֲדֹנִיָּ֣הוּ בֶן־חַגֵּ֗ית[t] אֶל־בַּת־שֶׁ֙בֶע֙ אֵם־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וַתֹּ֖אמֶר הֲשָׁל֣וֹם בֹּאֶ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שָׁלֽוֹם׃
14Then he added, "I have something to say to you." "Speak," she said.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר דָּבָ֥ר לִ֖י אֵלָ֑יִךְ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר דַּבֵּֽר׃
15He said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel looked to me as king. But the kingdom has turned about and gone to my brother, for it came to him from the LORD.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אַ֤תְּ יָדַ֙עַתְּ֙ כִּי־לִי֙ הָיְתָ֣ה הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה וְעָלַ֞י שָׂ֧מוּ כָֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם לִמְלֹ֑ךְ וַתִּסֹּ֤ב הַמְּלוּכָה֙ וַתְּהִ֣י לְאָחִ֔י כִּ֥י מֵיְהוָ֖ה הָ֥יְתָה לּֽוֹ׃
16Now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me." "Speak," she said.
וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁאֵלָ֤ה אַחַת֙ אָֽנֹכִי֙ שֹׁאֵ֣ל מֵֽאִתָּ֔ךְ אַל־תָּשִׁ֖בִי אֶת־פָּנָ֑י וַתֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו דַּבֵּֽר׃
17He said, "Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife."
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אִמְרִי־נָא֙ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּ֥י לֹֽא־יָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־פָּנָ֑יִךְ וְיִתֶּן־לִ֛י אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֥ג הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֖ית לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
18"Very well," Bathsheba said, "I will speak to the king for you."
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר בַּת־שֶׁ֖בַע ט֑וֹב אָנֹכִ֕י אֲדַבֵּ֥ר עָלֶ֖יךָ אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
19So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king rose to meet her and bowed to her; then he sat down on his throne and had a throne brought for the king's mother, and she sat at his right hand.
וַתָּבֹ֤א בַת־שֶׁ֙בַע֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לְדַבֶּר־ל֖וֹ עַל־אֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ וַיָּקָם֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ לִקְרָאתָ֜הּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֣חוּ לָ֗הּ וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ עַל־כִּסְא֔וֹ וַיָּ֤שֶׂם כִּסֵּא֙ לְאֵ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב לִֽימִינֽוֹ׃
20She said, "I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me." The king answered, "Ask, my mother; I will not refuse you."
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שְׁאֵלָ֨ה אַחַ֤ת קְטַנָּה֙ אָֽנֹכִי֙ שֹׁאֶ֣לֶת מֵֽאִתָּ֔ךְ אַל־תָּ֖שֶׁב אֶת־פָּנָ֑י וַיֹּֽאמֶר־לָ֤הּ הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ שַׁאֲלִ֣י אִמִּ֔י כִּ֥י לֹֽא־אָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־פָּנָֽיִךְ׃
21So she said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as his wife."
וַתֹּ֕אמֶר יֻתַּ֖ן אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֣ג הַשֻּׁנַמִּ֑ית לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֥הוּ אָחִ֖יךָ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
22King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask the kingdom for him as well—he is my older brother—yes, for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!"
וַיַּעַן֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְאִמּ֗וֹ וְלָמָה֩ אַ֨תְּ שֹׁאֶ֜לֶת אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֤ג הַשֻׁנַּמִּית֙ לַאֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ וְשַֽׁאֲלִי־לוֹ֙ אֶת־הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה כִּ֛י ה֥וּא אָחִ֖י הַגָּד֣וֹל מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְלוֹ֙ וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וּלְיוֹאָ֖ב בֶּן־צְרוּיָֽה׃ פ
23Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: "May God do so to me and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word at the cost of his life!
וַיִּשָּׁבַע֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה בַּֽיהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּ֣ה יַֽעֲשֶׂה־לִּ֤י אֱלֹהִים֙ וְכֹ֣ה יוֹסִ֔יף כִּ֣י בְנַפְשׁ֔וֹ דִּבֶּר֙ אֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּֽה׃
24Now therefore, as the LORD lives, who has established me and seated me on the throne of my father David and who has made me a house as he promised—today Adonijah shall be put to death!"
וְעַתָּ֗ה חַי־יְהוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֱכִינַ֗נִי *ויושיביני **וַיּֽוֹשִׁיבַ֙נִי֙ עַל־כִּסֵּא֙ דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔י וַאֲשֶׁ֧ר עָֽשָׂה־לִ֛י בַּ֖יִת כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר כִּ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם יוּמַ֖ת אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃
25So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who struck Adonijah down, and he died.
וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה בְּיַ֖ד בְּנָיָ֣הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֑ע וַיִּפְגַּע־בּ֖וֹ וַיָּמֹֽת׃ ס