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1 Kings 1

1 Kings 1:5

Adonijah Usurps the Kingdom · 1 Kings 1:5–10
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Translations

Modern
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” And he prepared for himself a chariot and horsemen and fifty men to run before his face.
Latin
Adonias autem filius Haggith elevabatur, dicens: Ego regnabo. Fecitque sibi currus et equites, et quinquaginta viros qui currerent ante eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.

Notes

1 Kings 1:5–6

Adonijah was David’s fourth son. His older brothers, Amnon, Daniel, and Absalom, had died. So, Adonijah thought he would become king. However, according to ancient Near Eastern tradition, Solomon, the son of David’s favorite wife Bathsheba, was to become king. David had already told Solomon about this (1 Kings 1:13, 17; 1 Chronicles 22:6–10). Adonijah's ambition, likely encouraged by his father's lenient discipline, showed when he declared, “I will be king!”

1 Kings 1:1–2:12

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Bathsheba David Joab Solomon Zadok Prophets in 1 Kings

People

Adonijah: Son of David who attempted to seize the throne Haggith: One of David's wives; mother of Adonijah

Glossary

Abiathar Adonijah Bathsheba Haggith Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Shulammite Shunammite Shunem Solomon (Person) Zadok

Topics

Adonijah: Son of David and Haggith Ambition: Adonijah Chariots: Often Attended by Running Footmen Children: Wicked: Adonijah Citizens: Wicked: Adonijah Civil Service: Influence In Diplomacy by Intermarriage with Other Nations Footman: One Who Runs Ahead of Kings and Princes Haggith: Mother of Adonijah Kings: Conspiracies Against: Adonijah Against Solomon The Armies of Israel: Called: Horsemen and Chariots Introduced Into, After David's Reign the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Adonijah Usurpation of Political Functions by Adonijah Wicked Children: Adonijah