Adoniyah: A Hebrew Charlie Sheen?
April 19, 2011It may not be the most popular Hebrew name out there, but ‘Adoniyah’ is certainly a name. While that’s the same for any name, what gives it value is its history–strange as that history may be.
‘Adoniyah’ is one of many English spellings for a Hebrew name meaning ‘My lord is Yahweh’. A closer transliteration of the name would read ‘Adoniyahhu’ in English, being a combination of the Hebrew words ‘Adonai’ and ‘Yahweh’; which are both titles used in reference to God. It is a male name and comes in a variety of spellings which include ‘Adoniah’ and ‘Adonijah’.
Perhaps the most well-known iteration of the name is ‘Adonijah’. This form appears in most English translations of Hebrew scripture–most notably the King James version of the Bible, where Adonijah is recorded as the usurping fourth son of King David.
The name belongs to two other persons in scripture: a Levite sent to teach the Law of Moses, and a leader of the people who cooperated with the prophet Nehemiah. In the King James Version of the Bible, ‘Adonijah’ appears twenty six times.
While there are any number of reasons for the name’s contemporary lack of popularity–it is an older name, it is a male name, it has a deep religious meaning that today is not so popular–what seems the most likely reason for this lack of popularity is none other than the name’s original owner.
King David was not impressed with Adonijah’s behavior, and his advisers brought the matter of his son’s heresy directly to him. The kingdom had originally been promised to Solomon, and when David heard of Adonijah’s power-grab, he sent Solomon to the throne. Solomon’s appointment scared Adonijah’s dinner guests away, and the would-be king begged his half-brother Solomon for life. Solomon, being wise, granted him his life on condition that ‘… He show(s) himself to be worthy, ‘ (1 Kings 1:52).
This turn of events was not a welcome one for King David or his specified successor Solomon. So, while his brother was feasting, Solomon assumed the throne. When word of this reached the usurping Adonijah’s dinner party, the guests cleared out like rats from a sinking ship, and Adonijah begged his half-brother Solomon to spare his life. Solomon–forever remembered as the ‘wise’ king–granted his half-brother’s plea, on condition that: ‘… He show(s) himself to be worthy, ‘ (1 Kings 1:52).
Now with a name that means ‘The Lord is my God’, it isn’t that crazy an idea that Adonijah was conceited. This presents itself as a very real possibility. Perhaps, given the meaning of his name, he felt beyond reproach. The world may never know–and scripture certainly isn’t clear.
The name’s history, though – that’s rich. And it isn’t all bad. At least, according to 1 Kings 1:6: ‘… He was also very handsome…’.
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