1 Chronicles 29 22

1 Chronicles 29:22 kjv

And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

1 Chronicles 29:22 nkjv

So they ate and drank before the LORD with great gladness on that day. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before the LORD to be the leader, and Zadok to be priest.

1 Chronicles 29:22 niv

They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day. Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the LORD to be ruler and Zadok to be priest.

1 Chronicles 29:22 esv

And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. Solomon Anointed King And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and they anointed him as prince for the LORD, and Zadok as priest.

1 Chronicles 29:22 nlt

They feasted and drank in the LORD's presence with great joy that day. And again they crowned David's son Solomon as their new king. They anointed him before the LORD as their leader, and they anointed Zadok as priest.

1 Chronicles 29 verses

1 Chronicles 29 22 Meaning

This verse describes a momentous occasion in Israel's history: the official and joyous confirmation of Solomon as king, and Zadok as priest, marking a seamless divine transition of leadership. It signifies a public affirmation and celebration, uniting the nation in worship and dedication to the LORD, solidifying the new covenantal administration under God's chosen leaders. The feasting "before the LORD" emphasizes a holy, communal, and divinely sanctioned event filled with great gladness, indicating God's favor and the people's willing acceptance of His appointed representatives.

1 Chronicles 29 22 Context

1 Chronicles 29 details the climax of David's preparations for the Temple building and the formal transition of power to Solomon. The chapter opens with David's passionate address to the people, seeking their contributions for the Temple, emphasizing that the project is for the LORD. The people respond with overwhelming generosity, bringing vast amounts of materials. This prompts David's magnificent prayer of praise and thanksgiving (vv. 10-19), acknowledging God as the source of all wealth and the giver of willing hearts.

Verse 20 recounts the people's collective worship and prostration before the LORD and the king. Verse 21 describes the numerous sacrifices offered the following day—burnt offerings, peace offerings, and drink offerings—symbolizing complete dedication, fellowship, and rejoicing. Verse 22 directly follows this spiritual outpouring, detailing the joyful communal meal that signified covenant celebration and peace with God. It then narrates the definitive act of "making" or confirming Solomon's kingship for the "second time" and his anointing "unto the LORD" as "chief governor," along with the anointing of Zadok as the chief priest. The entire chapter focuses on the divine orchestration of the succession and the unity of the people in the service and worship of God. Historically, this account, particularly in Chronicles, smooths over any past or potential challenges to Solomon's throne, emphasizing a unified, God-ordained transition.

1 Chronicles 29 22 Word analysis

• And did eat and drink: (וַיֹּאכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתּוּ - vayyo’khlu vayyishṭu) This refers to a communal feast following the peace offerings described in the previous verse (1 Chr 29:21). Peace offerings were unique among sacrifices in that a portion was returned to the worshiper for a celebratory meal, signifying fellowship and communion with God.
• before the LORD: (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lipnei YHWH) This phrase indicates that the meal and subsequent actions were not merely social or political, but a sacred, religious event held in the divine presence, implying His approval and blessing. It ties the actions directly to worship and covenant with God.
• on that day: (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא - bayyôm hahûʾ) Specifies the timing, marking it as part of the unique day of coronation and spiritual celebration after the large-scale offerings.
• with great gladness: (בְּשִׂמְחָה גְדוֹלָה - bəśimḥâ gədōlâ) Emphasizes the deep and widespread joy and unity among the people, directly linked to God's blessing and the established leadership. This joy signifies divine favor and communal agreement, a spiritual joy that transcends mere celebration.
• And they made Solomon: (וַיַּמְלִכוּ שְׁלֹמֹה - vayyamlikhu šlomo) The people here confirm or acknowledge Solomon's kingship, which David had already declared and God had chosen. Their action signifies full acceptance and support for the divine appointment.
• the son of David: A common identifying title, linking Solomon directly to his lineage and the Davidic covenant.
• king the second time: (מֶלֶךְ שֵׁנִית - melekh shenît) This phrase is key. Solomon was previously made king or anointed during Adonijah's attempted coup (1 Kgs 1:32-40), or possibly upon David's private decree (1 Chr 23:1). This "second time" is a public, ceremonial confirmation, removing any doubt or prior contestation. The Chronicler emphasizes an undisputed, unified succession.
• and anointed him: (וַיִּמְשְׁחוּ - vayyimshu) This refers to the pouring of oil, a sacred ritual that formally designates a person for a divine office—king, priest, or prophet. It confers authority and the spiritual enablement needed for their role.
• unto the LORD: (לַיהוָה - laYHWH) Reaffirms that Solomon's kingship is a divine calling and responsibility, consecrated to God. His authority comes from God and is to be exercised in service to God.
• to be the chief governor: (לְנָגִיד - lənāḡîḏ) The Hebrew term nagid (נגיד) signifies a prince, leader, or ruler who is designated by divine appointment, rather than inherited power alone (melek - king). This highlights that Solomon’s authority is derived from and accountable to God, serving as God’s representative ruler over His people. It positions him as God's chosen delegate.
• and Zadok to be the priest: (וְצָדוֹק הַכֹּהֵן - vətsaḏôq hakkōhēn) Zadok was previously named along with Abiathar as co-high priests. However, 1 Kings 2:35 records that Zadok definitively replaced Abiathar after the latter's defection. The Chronicler notes this official elevation of Zadok as the chief priest alongside Solomon's kingship. This signifies the establishment of the legitimate priestly line, essential for proper worship in the upcoming Temple, and a unified religious authority under God.

Word Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness": This entire phrase depicts a deeply spiritual communal celebration. It signifies covenant affirmation, divine presence, fellowship, and an overwhelming sense of joy derived from God's favor. The consumption of food from peace offerings symbolizes communion with God and with one another, in a state of divine blessing.
• "they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor": This powerful sequence confirms Solomon's legitimacy and divine appointment. The "second time" emphasizes the unchallengeable public and religious sanction of his rule. The anointing signifies God's enablement, and the title "chief governor" (nagid) underscores his role as God's chosen instrument to lead Israel according to God's will. It highlights the theocratic nature of the Israelite monarchy.
• "and Zadok to be the priest": The parallel mention of Zadok immediately after Solomon's enthronement indicates the complementary nature of royal and priestly authority in God's plan for Israel. The king and priest were both God's designated leaders, vital for maintaining proper spiritual order and the sacrificial system that allowed the nation to remain in covenant with God. This dual leadership represents the holistic governance of a people dedicated to the LORD.

1 Chronicles 29 22 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s meticulous detailing of the transition from David to Solomon, emphasizing public unanimity and divine approval, highlights a specific theological agenda: to establish the legitimacy and theocentric nature of the Davidic line. By presenting Solomon's ascension as a universally celebrated event with no mention of Adonijah’s challenge (as found in 1 Kings 1), the text offers an idealized vision of faithful leadership and communal harmony under God. The "chief governor" (nagid) title also carries prophetic weight, later used in Daniel 9:25 to refer to the Messiah. This subtly connects Solomon's divinely appointed kingship to the ultimate Messianic King who would fully embody the role of God's perfect ruler. The combined anointing of king and priest prefigures the unique Messianic figure who would be both King and High Priest (like Melchizedek, Heb 7:1-3, and in prophecies like Zechariah 6:13), representing a unified divine authority.

1 Chronicles 29 22 Commentary

1 Chronicles 29:22 marks a pivotal moment of transition and establishment in Israel’s history. Following an extraordinary demonstration of national generosity and a deep sense of divine worship through sacrifices, the people of Israel partook in a communal meal "before the LORD." This was more than a mere political celebration; it was a sacred feast, a sign of peace and fellowship with God, imbued with "great gladness." This joy emanated from the collective recognition of God’s benevolent provision and His sovereignty over their national life, and His specific guidance in establishing their leaders.

The "second time" Solomon was made king underscores the final, undeniable legitimacy of his rule. While an initial anointing likely occurred earlier (1 Chr 23:1; 1 Kgs 1:32-40), this public ceremony, integrated with sacrificial worship, solidified his position without any shadow of contention. This aligns with the Chronicler’s theological purpose: to portray a unified, God-ordained transfer of power, idealizing the Davidic monarchy and minimizing internal conflicts found in Kings. The anointing "unto the LORD" emphasizes that Solomon’s kingship was a divine commission, not merely a human office. The title "chief governor" (nagid) is crucial; it highlights that Solomon, though king, remained God's designated leader, serving under divine authority. This concept reinforces the theocratic nature of the kingdom, where ultimate sovereignty rests with God.

Crucially, the verse couples Solomon’s anointing with the appointment of "Zadok to be the priest." This dual action of consecrating both the royal and priestly lines on the same day emphasizes the intertwined nature of political and spiritual leadership in God's covenantal kingdom. Zadok’s ascendance to undisputed chief priest paralleled Solomon’s confirmation, marking the inauguration of a new, legitimate era of both kingship and priesthood, vital for the worship and function of the soon-to-be-built Temple. This structure reflected God's intended order for His people, led by chosen authorities who would uphold both the civil law and the sacred worship, reflecting God's ultimate reign.