In just the latest of many exciting discovering in the sands of Israel, archeologists unearthed a 7th century clay seal in the City of David. The seal bears the phrase “Adoniyahu Asher Al Habayit,” signifying that the man was a royal steward and was named Adoniyahu, which means “My Lord is Yahweh” and serves yet another stunning proof of the accuracy of the Bible.
A Servant Of A King – An Amazing Discovery
According to reports:
“A minute stamp seal from 2,600 years ago bearing the name of King David’s son was recently found in an excavation site in Jerusalem, the City of David Foundation announced Sunday in a press release.
The seal, believed to be used by the highest ranking ministers in ancient Jerusalem to sign documents, bears the Hebrew name and title, “Adoniyahu by appointment of the house,” (“Asher Al Habayit”) and appears numerous times in the Bible under different kings in each of the ancient kingdoms of Judah and Israel.
The phrase appears for the first time on the list of ministers of King Solomon, the Foundation said.
“This tiny stamp seal has immense meaning to billions of people worldwide,” said Doron Spielman, Vice-President of the City of David Foundation.
The personal signet dates back to the era of Solomon’s Temple in the 7th century BCE and “is another link in the long chain of Jewish history in Jerusalem that is being uncovered and preserved at the City of David on a daily basis,” Speilman added.” (source).
A Special Name In The Bible
Adoniyahu (spelled Adonijah in English) is a name that appears several times in Scripture. Adonijah was the name of King David’s fourth son as detailed in 2 Samuel 3. He would later try to proclaim himself king prompting King David to have Solomon anointed as King in the waters of the Gihon spring in the City of David (Solomon ultimately forgave his brother for trying to usurp the throne).
Centuries later, King Jehoshaphat would initiate a spiritual revival in the southern kingdom of Judah. He destroyed the places of occult worship and sent out his princes and wise men of the priesthood to teach the people God’s Word. And it is there we see the second reference to an Adonijah in Scripture:
“Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.” – 2 Chronicles 17:5-10
A final reference to the name is found in Nehemiah chapter 10. When the Israelites returned from captivity in Babylon in approximately 510 BC, a number of men made a covenant to serve God in renewed hope and faith. Among them was a man named Adonijah (Nehemiah 10:16).
Even the title found on the seal holds significance:
‘The seal, believed to be used by the highest ranking ministers in ancient Jerusalem to sign documents, bears the Hebrew name and title, “Adoniyahu by appointment of the house,” (“Asher Al Habayit”) and appears numerous times in the Bible under different kings in each of the ancient kingdoms of Judah and Israel.” (source).
The City Of David – A Treasure Trove Of Biblical History
Beginning And End has detailed extensively that the City of David is the Biblical location for the temple of Solomon, not the Dome of the Rock, which is commonly viewed as the historic location the Temple of God. The discovery of the royal seal is just more confirmation that those who served the king were in the City of David. Beginning And End previously reported on the discovery of clay seals belonging to King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah – stunning Biblical proofs – that were in the City of David. This area continues to bring more of the Bible to life with each new discovery.
Praise God for the numerous confirmations that archeologists are finding each day that demonstrate the pinpoint accuracy of the Holy Scriptures. Christianity is not a religion of blind faith. Time and time again, God demonstrated His Word was true through many supernatural acts and prophecy. And now today, buried within the Earth itself are numerous pieces of evidence of this record that The Lord continually blesses to view and rejoice in knowing His Word is true indeed.
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” – Isaiah 40:8
