Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) (1 Kings 1:5-6)

A Spoiled Son

David is remembered as the shepherd boy who killed Goliath and had a turbulent relationship with Saul, who was trying to kill him. After David became King, he consolidated the kingdom with victories over the Philistines. His relationship with his wives was well known (Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba). What is not well known is that David had more than nine wives, including concubines, and twenty or more children. His fifth wife, Haggith, bore him a son, Adonijah.

When David grew old, he had yet to pass the reign to one of his sons. Solomon, born of Bathsheba, would become the chosen leader of the people. David had promised Bathsheba that Solomon would reign after him and sit on his throne. Adonijah was older than Solomon and presumed himself to be the King. The son of Haggith exalted himself, boasting that he would make himself King. He gathered chariots with drivers and recruited fifty men to run before him. Adonijah sacrificed oxen, cattle, and sheep in abundance and invited all the king’s sons and the commanders of the army to join him in a feast, declaring his kingship. He convinced Joab to support him along with Abiathar the priest.

Bathsheba warned David of Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne. David declared Solomon King by placing him on the King’s mule and taking him to Gihon, where he was anointed by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet. Meanwhile, Adonijah was celebrating his presumed rise to the throne when news came that David had declared Solomon king. Adonijah and all who were at the feast became afraid and left the banquet. Hearing that Solomon was King, Adonijah went to the altar and took hold of its horns, seeking mercy from Solomon. Solomon spared Adonijah’s life, sending him back to his house to live.

After David died, Adonijah asked Bathsheba to seek Solomon’s approval to wed the young virgin who had cared for David in his final days. Adonijah desired to marry Abishag the Shunammite. This was a calculated move on Adonijah’s part to find a way to take the throne away from Solomon. Realizing the ploy of his brother to take his throne, King Solomon sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, to kill Adonijah.

The story of Adonijah is one of tragedy, including some of the reasons for his rebellion and arrogance. David had never disciplined his son at any time. His father never challenged anything that Adonijah did. The fourth son of David was spoiled so much that his father refused to discipline him for anything. As a child left to his own devices and spoiled into getting whatever he wanted, Adonijah grew up demanding that the world give him what he wanted. He presumed the throne of his father David. That was a grievous mistake. Solomon showed restraint and mercy, allowing his brother to live. When David died, Adonijah again miscalculated his importance, asking to wed Abishag. This was an act of rebellion. It led to his death.

Children left to their own devices bring shame on their parents. An undisciplined child becomes an entitled adult who demands the world bow at his feet. David failed as a father with his son Adonijah by never disciplining him or correcting him. Adonijah was very handsome. He did not seek the will of God in his life. Everything he did was to glorify Adonijah. His story became a final tragedy when his brother called for his death. Such is the case of children who are never disciplined. They become the tragedy of their own lives, presuming to be more important than they are, expecting the world to beckon to their every wish and desire.

Parents are admonished throughout scripture to nurture, train, discipline, and mold their children’s hearts to love the Lord with all their hearts. This demands learning about humility. Children who are not disciplined will rebel against God and lose their souls. It is not cute to watch a spoiled child act out. Adonijah was never disciplined by his father. For whatever reason, David cultivated a child who would become rebellious to the will of the Lord. Discipline begins at home, so the child’s heart learns to submit to the Heavenly Father.