(3.) One of the “chiefs of the people” after the Captivity (Nehemiah
10:16).
- ADONIKAM whom the Lord sets up, one of those “which came with
Zerubbabel” (Ezra 2:13). His “children,” or retainers, to the number of
666, came up to Jerusalem (8:13). - ADONIRAM (Adoram, 1 Kings 12:18), the son of Abda, was “over the
tribute,” i.e., the levy or forced labour. He was stoned to death by the
people of Israel (1 Kings 4:6; 5:14) - ADONI-ZEDEC Lord of justice or righteousness, was king in Jerusalem
at the time when the Israelites invaded Palestine (Joshua 10:1,3). He
formed a confederacy with the other Canaanitish kings against the
Israelites, but was utterly routed by Joshua when he was engaged in
besieging the Gibeonites. The history of this victory and of the treatment
of the five confederated kings is recorded in Joshua 10:1-27. (Comp.
Deuteronomy 21:23). Among the Tell Amarna tablets (see EGYPT) are
some very interesting letters from Adoni-zedec to the King of Egypt.
These illustrate in a very remarkable manner the history recorded in Joshua
10, and indeed throw light on the wars of conquest generally, so that they
may be read as a kind of commentary on the book of Joshua. Here the
conquering career of the Abiri (i.e., Hebrews) is graphically described:
“Behold, I say that the land of the king my Lord is ruined”, “The wars are
mighty against me”, “The Hebrew chiefs plunder all the king’s lands”,
“Behold, I the chief of the Amorites am breaking to pieces.” Then he
implores the king of Egypt to send soldiers to help him, directing that the
army should come by sea to Ascalon or Gaza, and thence march to
Wru-sa-lim (Jerusalem) by the valley of Elah. - ADOPTION the giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a
son who is not a son by birth.
(1.) Natural. Thus Pharaoh’s daughter adopted Moses (Exodus 2:10), and
Mordecai Esther (Esther 2:7).
(2.) National. God adopted Israel (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 7:6; Hos.
11:1; Romans 9:4).
(3.) Spiritual. An act of God’s grace by which he brings men into the
number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the
blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations