Adonijah [Ădonī'jah] - jehovah is lord. 1. The fourth son of David and Haggith, born in Hebron (2 Sam 3:4). Adonijah was the victim of Oriental intrigue. After the death of Absalom, he became the rightful heir to the throne (1 Kings 2:15), but Bathsheba had other designs for her son Solomon who, when secure on the throne interpreted Adonijah's desire for Abishag as an effort to secure the kingdom. Self-preservation compelled Solomon to order Adonijah's death, a sentence carried out by Benaiah. 2. A Levite sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law ( 2 Chron. 17:8). 3. A chieftain who with Nehemiah sealed the covenant (Neh. 10:14-16).