1 Kings 1 33

1 Kings 1:33 kjv

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:

1 Kings 1:33 nkjv

The king also said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon.

1 Kings 1:33 niv

he said to them: "Take your lord's servants with you and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon.

1 Kings 1:33 esv

And the king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.

1 Kings 1:33 nlt

the king said to them, "Take Solomon and my officials down to Gihon Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule.

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 33 Meaning

This verse contains King David's decisive command to formally establish Solomon as his successor. It signifies a divinely sanctioned transfer of royal authority and legitimacy. David explicitly directs that Solomon, identified as "my son," should ride upon David's personal royal mule, publicly indicating his chosen status. The destination, Gihon, emphasizes the sacred and public nature of the anointing, countering Adonijah's rebellious attempt to seize the throne. It asserts God's preordained plan for succession over human ambition.

1 Kings 1 33 Context

This verse is at the critical juncture of royal succession in ancient Israel. King David, now aged and near death, is effectively powerless, a situation exploited by his fourth son, Adonijah, who boldly declares himself king, gaining support from powerful figures like Joab and Abiathar. However, Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, intervene, reminding David of his oath to establish Solomon as his successor. David's strength and lucidity return, leading to this precise command in 1 Kings 1:33. His instructions are a decisive counter-measure against Adonijah's rebellion. By ordering the immediate, public anointing of Solomon at Gihon upon his own mule, David forcefully asserts the legitimate line of succession and God's preordained choice, ensuring a smooth and divinely sanctioned transition of power, vital for the stability of the kingdom.

1 Kings 1 33 Word analysis

• And the king said unto them, "And the king": Refers to David. Though old and weak (1 Kgs 1:1-4), his authority is reasserted and absolute here, empowered by divine promise and the urgency of the moment. "unto them": Specifically addresses Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (1 Kgs 1:32). These are the most loyal and influential figures necessary to execute the plan.
• Take with you the servants of your lord, "Take with you": An immediate, imperative command, signifying urgency and the need for protective escort. "the servants of your lord": Refers to David's loyal guard, notably the Cherethites and Pelethites (1 Kgs 1:38). These elite mercenaries were utterly loyal to the king, essential for securing the succession against rivals. Their presence ensures both protection and a public display of royal authority.
• and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, "cause Solomon my son": David explicitly names Solomon, clarifying his chosen successor, and uses "my son," confirming the natural, familial lineage and authority. "to ride upon": A symbolic act of enthronement and royal procession. Kings and their designated heirs rode royal animals for significant events. "mine own mule": Hebrew: pirda (פִּרְדָּה), feminine noun for "mule." Mules were highly prized, strong, and expensive animals in ancient Israel, often used by royalty (e.g., Absalom rode a mule in 2 Sam 18:9). They were often used in succession ceremonies. "mine own": This detail is profoundly significant. By riding David's personal mule, Solomon publicly inherits David's status, identity, and authority. It is a visual transfer of power and legitimization, leaving no doubt about Solomon's claim and directly countering Adonijah's self-appointed reign. It symbolized the king's blessing and recognition, almost a pre-anointing or initial public acknowledgment of transfer.
• and bring him down to Gihon: "bring him down": Indicates the movement from the higher city of David to the lower Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley. "to Gihon": Hebrew: Gîḥôn (גִּיחון). Gihon was Jerusalem's primary natural spring, located at the eastern foot of the Ophel. Significance: Sacred Site: Water sources were often considered sacred in the Ancient Near East, symbolizing purity, life, and divine blessing. Anointing Location: Kings in the Ancient Near East were often anointed at significant water sources, symbolizing the flowing of power and new life, much like rivers define a city's life. Public Witness: This location allowed for a public gathering and witness, essential for establishing Solomon's legitimacy to the citizens of Jerusalem. * Contrast to Adonijah: While Adonijah held his feast at En Rogel, another spring south of Jerusalem, David chose Gihon. This not only signifies divine legitimacy against human ambition but also a territorial demarcation, reclaiming authority in Jerusalem itself.

1 Kings 1 33 Bonus section

• The "going down" to Gihon and the subsequent "coming up" into the city (1 Kgs 1:45) visually illustrates the ritual elevation and enthronement of the king, symbolically lifting him from a humble point to the pinnacle of authority.
• The meticulous planning orchestrated by Nathan and David (1 Kgs 1:11-37) ensures that Solomon's ascension is not a clandestine act but a thoroughly legitimate, public, and divinely sanctioned event, establishing a clear line of succession that protects the Davidic covenant.
• The stark contrast between Adonijah's raucous and self-appointed feasting at En Rogel and Solomon's orderly, solemn, and divinely authorized procession to Gihon highlights the difference between human ambition and divine appointment.
• Solomon (Hebrew: Shělōmōh, from shalom, "peace") receiving the throne through such an explicit and orderly process also foreshadows his reign as a king of peace, contrasting the tumult and bloodshed that marked David's path to kingship.

1 Kings 1 33 Commentary

1 Kings 1:33 serves as the dramatic turning point in David's waning days, marking his decisive act to secure the divinely appointed succession of Solomon amidst brewing political intrigue. David's instructions are meticulous and symbolically potent: Solomon's riding on David's own royal mule directly transmits the reigning king's authority and validates his heir in a clear public demonstration. The command to take him "down to Gihon" emphasizes the official and sacred nature of the anointing ceremony. Gihon, Jerusalem's vital spring, was an ancient and sacred location for royal anointing, underscoring the spiritual and divinely sanctioned nature of Solomon's kingship, directly contrasting Adonijah's illicit attempt to seize power. This moment reveals David's reassertion of authority and commitment to God's covenant promises, ensuring a peaceful transition for his designated successor.