Adonijah

Adonijah was the fourth son of David, by Haggith, and the eldest surviving after Absalom's death, who attempted to seize the throne as David lay dying. He organized a party and crowned himself king with the support of Joab and the priest Abiathar, but without the knowledge of Solomon, Bathsheba, Nathan, Benaiah, or David himself (1 Kings 1:5–10). When Nathan and Bathsheba informed the dying David, he immediately and explicitly named Solomon as his successor (1 Kings 1:28–35). Adonijah initially submitted and was spared by Solomon, but when he requested Abishag the Shunamite—understood by Solomon as a veiled bid for royal inheritance—Solomon had him executed (1 Kings 2:13–25). His end illustrates the ruthless consolidation of power that accompanied Solomon's succession.