ADONIJAH. A name borne by several persons in the Old Testament, of whom the best known is the fourth son of David. Shortly before the death of David, he made preparations to seize the throne, to which he was the natural heir after the death of Absalom, and received the support of Joab and Abiathar the priest. However, Bathsheba, David's favourite wife, organized a counter-intrigue in favour of her son, Solomon. Shortly after his accession Solomon had Adonijah put to death on the ground that by seeking to marry David's concubine, Abishag, he was aiming at the crown (I. Kings i. seq.).