Adonijah

The handsome fourth son of King David. His three older brothers died while they were young men, leaving Adonijah the oldest at the time of David’s death. He wanted to become king, even though he knew his younger brother Solomon had been chosen by God to be the next king. When David was old, Adonijah convinced some of David’s men to help make him king. But David chose Solomon to be king. When Adonijah heard the news, he knew his life was now in danger because he had tried to take the throne. He ran to the altar in the tabernacle—a place of refuge where he could be protected from harm. Solomon forgave Adonijah, but later ordered Adonijah to be put to death when Adonijah asked to marry Abishag, David’s companion during his last illness. This request was the same as saying that all that had belonged to David should have belonged to Adonijah.