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David with his sons and wives including Haggith

Haggith (Hebrew: חַגִּית Ḥaggīṯ; sometimes Hagith, Aggith) is a biblical figure, one of the wives of David.[1] Her name means "festive."[2]

Haggith is mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:4, 1 Kings 1–2, and 1 Chronicles 3:2. She only appears as the mother of Adonijah, the fourth of David's sons, born (according to 2 Samuel 3) in Hebron, while David was fighting Saul.

While Adonijah is usually described in the Bible as "the son of Haggith," there is no suggestion that his mother was involved in his attempt to gain the throne, or with his (likely politically motivated) attempt to take Abishag, his father's nurse.[3]

Later references

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References

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Haggith

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Haggith was one of the wives of King David in the and the mother of his fourth son, , born during David's time in . Her name derives from the Hebrew root ḥāḡaḡ, meaning "to celebrate" or "festive," reflecting connotations of joy or festival. Little is detailed about her or background beyond her marital and maternal roles within David's extensive household, which included multiple wives and children amid the political complexities of ancient . Haggith is primarily referenced in biblical genealogies and narratives concerning her son's ambitions. , as David's eldest surviving son after the deaths of and , attempted to claim the throne upon David's aging, an event in which Haggith's lineage played a key role in the . This bid ultimately failed, leading to Solomon's anointing as and Adonijah's later execution, though Haggith herself is not depicted as actively involved in these events. Her portrayal underscores the intricate family dynamics and power struggles in David's reign, with no further biblical mentions of her fate or additional children.

Biblical References

Mentions in Samuel

Haggith is first mentioned in the within the Books of Samuel, specifically in 2 Samuel 3:2-5, which lists the sons born to during his early reign in . This passage details the sequence of David's children and their mothers as part of establishing his royal household amid the civil war following Saul's death. The relevant verse, 2 Samuel 3:4, states: "the fourth, the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital" (NIV). Here, Haggith is identified as the mother of Adonijah, positioned as the fourth son in the list, with the births occurring in , where ruled over Judah for seven years and six months before transferring his capital to (2 Samuel 5:5). The broader context of 2 Samuel 3:2-5 underscores David's consolidation of power in Hebron, his initial capital after being anointed king of Judah, during a period of ongoing conflict with the house of Saul. The full passage reads: "Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah. These six sons were born to David in Hebron, after he had come to Hebron and had been there for some time" (NIV). This enumeration highlights the growth of David's family as a symbol of his strengthening kingship, with Haggith appearing among the mothers of these early heirs. Hebron served as David's capital from approximately 1004 to 997 BCE, a seven-year period during which these sons, including , were born, reflecting the early phase of his rule over Judah before unifying the kingdom. David's practice of multiple marriages, common among ancient Near Eastern rulers, facilitated alliances and expanded his progeny in this foundational era.

Mentions in Kings

Haggith's name reappears indirectly through her son in the narrative of 1 Kings, which continues the storyline from concerning David's succession. In 1 Kings 1:5, is described as attempting to seize the throne: "Now , whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, 'I will be king.' So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him" (NIV). This verse explicitly links to Haggith, portraying her son as an ambitious claimant during David's declining health. Similarly, in 1 Kings 1:11, the Nathan warns : "Then Nathan asked , Solomon's mother, 'Have you not heard that , the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it?'" (NIV). These references emphasize Haggith's maternal connection without detailing her personal actions. A final mention occurs in 1 Kings 2:13, after David's death, where Adonijah approaches Bathsheba: "Now Adonijah, the son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, 'Do you come in peace?' 'Yes, in peace,' he replied" (NIV). This interaction ties back to Haggith's lineage through Adonijah's ongoing role in the succession intrigue.

Mentions in Chronicles

In the Books of Chronicles, Haggith is mentioned solely in the genealogical list of David's sons born in Hebron, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 3:1-2: "These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second, Daniel the son of Abigail of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith." This verse positions Haggith as the mother of Adonijah, identified as David's fourth son in this sequence, underscoring her role within the royal lineage without any accompanying narrative detail. The Books of Chronicles, compiled in the post-exilic period around the 5th to BCE by an anonymous author in , serve primarily as a theological and genealogical record for the returned Jewish community, focusing on priestly lineages, temple worship, and the continuity of rather than recounting historical events in dramatic form. This emphasis on ancestry in 1 Chronicles 3 highlights Haggith's contribution to the through , integrating her into the broader framework of Judah's royal heritage without exploring personal or relational dynamics. Compared to the parallel list in 2 Samuel 3:2-5, which similarly enumerates David's Hebron-born sons and consistently attributes Adonijah to Haggith as the fourth, the Chronicler's account shows minor variations, such as naming the second son Daniel instead of Chileab (or Kileab), yet maintains the overall order and maternal attributions. These births in signify David's initial seven-and-a-half-year reign as king over Judah following Saul's death, marking his political consolidation and transition from fugitive rival to established in the southern territory. Adonijah's later ambitions for the , as depicted in , briefly connect this to broader succession themes.

Family and Role

Marriage to David

Haggith's to occurred during his reign over Judah in , spanning approximately 1010 to 1003 BCE, a period marked by David's consolidation of power in the southern region before his ascension to kingship over all . This union took place as part of David's early marital arrangements in , following his marriages to the Jezreelite, the Carmelite, and the daughter of Talmai, king of , thereby positioning Haggith as the fourth wife in this sequence. The marriage exemplified the expansion of David's household during this formative phase, evidenced by the birth of their son , which underscored its fruitfulness. David's polygamous practices, including his marriage to Haggith, aligned with ancient Near Eastern royal customs where multiple wives served to strengthen political ties and demonstrate monarchical , though such arrangements often led to familial tensions. In , a key Calebite city in Judah, these unions helped David forge and solidify alliances with southern tribes, enhancing his legitimacy and support base amid ongoing conflicts with the . Haggith's role within this growing —comprising at least six named wives by the end of the Hebron period—reflected the broader social dynamics of polygamy, where wives contributed to household stability and dynastic continuity without detailed records of individual ceremonies or personal circumstances. Biblical accounts provide no specifics on Haggith's parentage, origin, or pre-marital life, rendering her one of the more obscure figures among David's consorts compared to better-documented wives like or . Scholarly analyses emphasize that such limited documentation highlights the primary focus of ancient texts on political and patriarchal lineages rather than the personal histories of secondary wives, though Haggith's inclusion in lists of David's consorts underscores her integral place in the royal family's structure. Her marriage, like others in , likely served strategic purposes in expanding David's influence prior to the conquest of around 1003 BCE, facilitating the integration of diverse tribal elements into his emerging kingdom.

Mother of Adonijah

Haggith is identified in the as the mother of , David's fourth son, born during the period when ruled from . This lineage is recorded in 2 Samuel 3:4, which lists as the son of and Haggith among the children born there, and paralleled in 1 Chronicles 3:2. By the time of David's later years, had become the eldest surviving son following the deaths of his older brothers and , with (also known as Daniel) not appearing in subsequent narratives, positioning as a potential heir. The biblical account describes as a figure of notable physical appeal, characterized as "very handsome" in 1 Kings 1:6, yet one who had been indulged without correction by his father throughout his life, contributing to his self-assured demeanor. While the text does not explicitly attribute any influence to Haggith in shaping 's personality, her role as his is emphasized through repeated references to him as "the son of Haggith" in the succession narrative (1 Kings 1:5, 11; 2:13). Adonijah's bid for the throne unfolded in 1 Kings 1, where he proclaimed himself king amid David's declining health, securing support from military commander and priest while hosting a feast that excluded and the prophet Nathan. Haggith's connection is invoked indirectly when Nathan urges to act, referencing "Adonijah the son of reigns" (1 Kings 1:11), highlighting the familial stakes in the rivalry. This attempt contrasted sharply with 's divinely endorsed anointing as David's successor. Following 's consolidation of power, approached with a request to marry the Shunammite, David's former attendant, an action interpreted as a renewed claim to the throne and resulting in 's execution (1 Kings 2:13-25). This event effectively ended Haggith's direct lineage in the royal succession. Scholarly analyses note Haggith's conspicuous absence from these political maneuvers, portraying her as maintaining a low profile in court intrigues compared to more active figures like , with interpretations suggesting a rivalry between the -Haggith and - factions but no evidence of her direct involvement or advocacy. This silence underscores the biblical emphasis on maternal roles tied to sons' ambitions rather than independent agency for Haggith.

Etymology and Name

Meaning and Origin

The name Haggith derives from the Hebrew חַגִּית (Ḥaggīṯ), a feminine form constructed from the root ח-ג-ג (ḥ-g-g), specifically the verb חָגַג (ḥāḡaḡ), meaning "to hold a ," "to celebrate," or "to circle in ." This root underlies the noun חַג (ḥaḡ), which refers to a religious feast or pilgrimage , as mandated in the for the three annual observances in Exodus 23:14-17, where the term evokes communal joy and celebration. Consequently, Haggith is interpreted as "festive," "of the ," or occasionally "dancer," reflecting connotations of rejoicing and festivity in ancient Near Eastern contexts. The morphological structure features the root ḥāḡaḡ combined with the feminine suffix -ִית (-īṯ), a common pattern in Hebrew for forming abstract or adjectival names denoting quality or state, such as in related names like Haggai (masculine form meaning "festal"). In biblical usage, Haggith appears exclusively five times, all in reference to David's wife and mother of (2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Kings 1:5, 11; 2:13; 1 Chronicles 3:2), underscoring its rarity as a rather than a descriptive term. This uniqueness may symbolically align with the celebratory atmosphere of David's early reign in around 1000 BCE, a period marked by triumph and consolidation of power, though direct evidence ties it more to broader terminology than specific events. Scholarly interpretations of the name's significance vary slightly: some emphasize its literal evocation of or , potentially reflecting the bearer's personality or familial aspirations for prosperity, while others view it as part of Judahite naming practices that drew from cultic and seasonal motifs prevalent in the region during the I. For instance, the festive implication contrasts with her son Adonijah's , meaning "my lord is ," highlighting diverse naming conventions within the same family. Overall, the underscores themes of celebration central to ancient Israelite identity, without evidence of foreign influences or alternative derivations.

Usage in Tradition

In Jewish midrash and Talmudic literature, Haggith receives minimal elaboration beyond her biblical role as one of King David's wives and mother of , with no significant narrative expansions or interpretations devoted to her character. The name's variants, such as Hagit, emerged in later Jewish texts and traditions, often evoking its foundational biblical connotation of festivity and joy. The modern variant Hagit gained popularity in Jewish communities due to its use as the name of the female protagonist in Abraham Mapu's 1853 Hebrew novel Ahavat Zion, which contributed to the revival of biblical names during the movement. It gained prominence in Israeli naming practices following the establishment of the in 1948, aligning with the revival of Hebrew names during the , and remains a recognized choice for girls, frequently shortened to Hagi in everyday use. By the 2020s, Hagit continued as a female name reflecting broader trends in Jewish-Israeli nomenclature. In broader cultural adaptations, the name Haggith is rare in English-speaking contexts but appears occasionally in Christian nomenclature, particularly in and references to figures. It persists as a female given name in contemporary Jewish-Israeli communities as part of the enduring appeal of biblical-derived names.

Cultural Depictions

In Literature

In Abraham Mapu's 1853 Hebrew novel Ahavat Tzion (The Love of ), the character Hagit serves as a secondary , depicted as envious and tormenting her rival Na'ama due to Na'ama’s and Yoram’s for her, despite Hagit having borne two sons while Na'ama has none, drawing inspiration from the biblical Haggith as a figure of familial tension in ancient . This work, set against the backdrop of Assyrian threats, contributed to the revival of by blending biblical motifs with romantic and nationalistic themes, marking one of the earliest novels. In contemporary Christian fiction, Mesu Andrews' King David's Brides series, particularly Book 3 Loyal: The Story of Haggith (in first draft as of 2025), expands on Haggith's sparse biblical portrayal by presenting her as the resilient daughter of Hebron's chief priest, navigating court intrigue, legal conflicts over David's polygamy, and her devotion to her son amid the . Andrews weaves around the limited scriptural references to Haggith, emphasizing her loyalty and moral dilemmas in David's household. Haggith appears in 19th- and 20th-century biblical commentaries primarily as the mother of , underscoring her indirect role in the royal succession narrative; for instance, Keil and Delitzsch's Biblical Commentary on the (1867) notes her as the parent of David's fourth son, whose ambition to claim the highlights themes of parental and dynastic without detailing her personal agency. These scholarly analyses often treat Haggith as a minor yet symbolically pivotal maternal figure, motivating later fictional interpretations to fill gaps in her biblical depiction.

In Music and Arts

One notable musical portrayal of a character named after Haggith appears in Karol Szymanowski's one-act Hagith, Op. 25, composed between 1912 and 1913. The libretto, written by Felix Dörmann, reimagines elements of the biblical narrative surrounding King 's final days, with the title character Hagith serving as a young servant inspired by the Shunammite but bearing the name of one of David's wives. In the plot, the ailing Old King (David) desires Hagith to restore his vitality, but she loves the Young King (); she refuses him, leading to his death from anger, after which she is sentenced to execution by stoning. The Young King returns too late to save her, mourning her death and exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and succession. The opera blends biblical motifs with modernist , incorporating exotic orchestration and psychological depth reflective of Szymanowski's early style influenced by and symbolism. It premiered on May 13, 1922, at Warsaw's Grand Theatre, marking Szymanowski's first operatic work, though it received mixed reviews for its intensity and brevity. Depictions of Haggith in remain exceedingly rare, reflecting her minor role in biblical accounts and the preference for more dramatic figures in artistic traditions. In 19th-century biblical illustrations, such as Gustave Doré's extensive engravings for La Grande Bible de Tours (1866), scenes of David's court and family life are rendered with dramatic flair, yet Haggith is absent or implied only peripherally amid group portrayals of the king's household. (Note: While is not cited directly, the illustrations are verifiable via archives like Project Gutenberg's Dore Bible Gallery.) This scarcity extends to and later periods, where artists favored wives like for their narrative prominence in themes of , redemption, and sensuality. Scholars have critiqued this underrepresentation, noting how minor royal women like Haggith are overshadowed in visual media by figures such as , whose stories lend themselves more readily to allegorical and erotic interpretations in Western . In analyses of biblical , this disparity highlights broader patterns in artistic selection, prioritizing dramatic intrigue over familial or maternal roles associated with lesser-known consorts.

References

  1. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%203%3A4&version=ESV
  2. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%203%3A2&version=KJV
  3. https://www.behindthename.com/name/haggith
  4. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%203%3A2-5&version=ESV
  5. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%201%3A5&version=NIV
  6. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%202%3A13-25&version=NIV
  7. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%203%3A4&version=NIV
  8. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%205%3A5&version=NIV
  9. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%203%3A2-5&version=NIV
  10. https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-maps-timeline-chronology-2samuel-1-5-king-david-in-hebron-civil-war-1004-997bc.htm
  11. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%201%3A11&version=NIV
  12. https://biblehub.com/niv/1_kings/2-13.htm
  13. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+3%3A1-2&version=NIV
  14. https://bibleproject.com/articles/chronicles-not-just-repeat/
  15. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+3%3A2-5&version=NIV
  16. https://www.gotquestions.org/Hebron-in-the-Bible.html
  17. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5597&context=pubs
  18. https://www.academia.edu/8491042/Davids_Wives_and_Sons_and_Tamar
  19. https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7037-haggith
  20. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07106a.htm
  21. https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/37051/FLEMING-DISSERTATION-2013.pdf
  22. https://www.academia.edu/104583634/The_Queen_Mothers_of_Judah
  23. https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Haggith.html
  24. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2294.htm
  25. https://biblehub.com/topical/h/haggith.htm
  26. https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/haggith/
  27. https://www.behindthename.com/name/adonijah
  28. https://www.names.org/n/hagit/about
  29. https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/haggith
  30. https://books.openbookpublishers.com/10.11647/obp.0463.17.pdf
  31. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E5F2FCEA76C7174C66BB5D09BD0BBF3B/9781009591478AR.pdf/New_Hebrews.pdf
  32. https://mesuandrews.com/tag/loyal/
  33. https://mesuandrews.com/transitions-from-brave-to-noble-to-loyal-to-worthy/
  34. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/kad/1_kings/1.htm
  35. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/kdo/1-kings-1.html
  36. https://culture.pl/en/work/hagith-op-25-karol-szymanowski
  37. https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2022/Sep/Szymanowski-Hagith-PRCD2231.htm
  38. https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Hagith/P0019489
  39. https://imslp.org/wiki/Hagith%2C_Op.25_%28Szymanowski%2C_Karol%29
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