OT Characters: Joab, Absalom & Adonijah

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Yo'av (Joab) -- Yahweh is father, 140x in the O.T.
• Avi-Shalom (Absalom) -- My father is peace, 109x in O.T.
• Adhoni-Yahu (Adonijah) -- Yahweh is my lord, 24x in O.T. (There are also 2 other Adonijahs)

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast
  • 2 Samuel 12:10-11
  • Joab: 2 Samuel 3:21,27-29, 8:15-16; 1 Chronicles 11:6; 2 Samuel 11:14ff; 19:5-7, 20:8-10; 24:3-4 (Exodus 30:12-15); 1 Kings 1:7, 2:32.
  • Absalom: 2 Samuel 13:28-29, 14:24-27, 15:1-7, 18:33 (19:1 in the Hebrew O.T.)
  • Adonijah: 1 Kings 1:5-10,39-41,49-53, 2:13-17,22-23
• ISBE articles, e.g. the one on Joab, may be found here. This Encyclopedia has a lot more information, and it's all free.

Some things we learn about God:

Since God has placed us in a moral world, our sin has ripple effects through large numbers of those with whom we are connected.

God’s choice of leader is often the one we would least expect. David (youngest of his brothers); Solomon (not Adonijah); and many other examples. Consider how often God gives his blessing not to the firstborn, but to a younger brother.

For kids:

Explain who’s who in the family of David, especially his sons Absalom, Solomon, and Adonijah.

Explain that although the Lord had chosen Solomon to become king, not everyone liked this. Then read 2 Samuel 15:10-13, where Absalom positions himself for the throne. Last, read 1 Kings 1:5ff, where Adonijah proclaims himself king.

Ask which plan was God’s will. How do you think David felt each time? How were his other sons (the brothers) feeling?

What happened in the end? What happens when we ignore the will of God in our lives?

Key verses:

• Joab: 2 Samuel 2- 1 Kings 2
• Absalom: 2 Samuel 13-18
• Adonijah: 1 Kings 1-2
• 2 Samuel 12:10 – sword not to depart from David’s household

Next lesson: Solomon