Keraia
1 Kings 1

1 Kings 1:33

Solomon Anointed King · 1 Kings 1:32–40
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Translations

Modern
“Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.
Traditional
The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
Literal
And the king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have ride Solomon my son on the mule that is unto me, and take him down to Gihon.
Latin
…dixit ad eos: Tollite vobiscum servos domini vestri, et imponite Salomonem filium meum super mulam meam, et ducite eum in Gihon.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.

Notes

1 Kings 1:33

  • Riding the king's mule showed high status. An ancient text from Mari advised King Zimri-Lim to follow royal protocol by riding in a donkey cart. David's sons rode mules (2 Samuel 13:29; 18:9). Similarly, Zechariah predicts that Israel's king will come "riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9), a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus (Matthew 21:4–7; John 12:14–15). When Solomon rode David's royal mule, it showed that David approved of Solomon becoming king.

  • The Gihon Spring was the main water source for Jerusalem. It was just outside the city’s eastern slopes. People often gathered there, so Solomon’s anointing would be widely known. But those who supported Adonijah at En-rogel could not see it.

1 Kings 1:1–2:12

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

Parallels

1 Chronicles 29:21–25

People

Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Places

Gihon: A river of Eden; a spring near Jerusalem

Glossary

Adonijah Bathsheba Benaiah En-rogel Gihon, Spring of Kings, Books of First and Second Mule Nathan Sadducees Solomon (Person)

Topics

Civil Service: Influence In Gihon: Pools Near Jerusalem Israel: Under the Kings Before the Separation Into Two Kingdoms: Solomon Anointed As King King by Proclamation King: Extensive Livestock of King: Influential Queens: Bath-Sheba Kings: Sometimes Nominated Their Successors Mule: Uses of for Royal Riders Nathan: A Prophet in the Time of David: Assists in Anointing Solomon to be King Politics: Ministers in Nathan, the Prophet, Influences the Selection of David's Successor Solomon: Succeeds David to the Throne of Israel The Mule used for Riding, by Persons of Distinction the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Kings of Judah (See 1st and 2nd Books of Kings) the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Solomon Throne: Abdicated by David Zadok: The High Priest During the Time of David's Reign: Summoned by David to Anoint Solomon to be King