Adonijah
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Jehovah is my Lord) — the name of three persons: a) (2 Sam. 3:4) fourth son of David by Haggith. He was born in Hebron, and after the death of his brothers Amnon and Absalom laid claim to his father’s throne. Having prepared for himself chariots, horsemen, and fifty runners, he took counsel with Joab and Abiathar the priest on the best measures for carrying out his design. Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, at once informed the king of Adonijah’s plot, and the prophet Nathan confirmed her words.
David swore before Bathsheba that after him her son Solomon should reign, and ordered him to be anointed and proclaimed king at once and with solemnity, which was carried out by the priest Zadok, amid the sound of trumpets and the loud acclamations of the people: “God save king Solomon!” (1 Kings 1:39). Adonijah had just finished his feast when he heard the sound of trumpets and the noise of the excited people. Jonathan told him all that had happened. Then all who were at the feast fled, and Adonijah himself, fearing Solomon, went and caught hold of the horns of the altar, which was considered a place of protection from violence.