David's fourth son, by Haggith, and — with Amnon, Absalom and Chileab dead or out of the picture — the eldest surviving claimant to the throne. He proclaims himself king while his father is dying (1 Kings 1:5), copying his brother Absalom's method almost word for word, and is deserted at his own coronation feast the moment Solomon is anointed at Gihon. Spared on condition, he asks in the next chapter for Abishag — the dying king's attendant — and is executed for it, the request being read, rightly or not, as a renewed claim on the throne.