1 Kings 1 34

1 Kings 1:34 kjv

And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

1 Kings 1:34 nkjv

There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, 'Long live King Solomon!'

1 Kings 1:34 niv

There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'

1 Kings 1:34 esv

And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, 'Long live King Solomon!'

1 Kings 1:34 nlt

There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. Blow the ram's horn and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!'

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 34 Meaning

This verse details the divine command given by David concerning the immediate and legitimate anointing of Solomon as king over Israel. It emphasizes the crucial roles of Zadok the high priest and Nathan the prophet in performing the anointing with oil. The subsequent command to blow the trumpet and shout "God save king Solomon" signifies a public, joyful, and divinely sanctioned proclamation of Solomon's new reign, establishing his authority amidst a period of succession crisis. This entire sequence confirms Solomon's God-ordained kingship and publicly secures his place on the throne, countering any rival claims.

1 Kings 1 34 Context

1 Kings chapter 1 describes a tense succession crisis as King David nears his death. Adonijah, David's elder son, self-proclaims himself king, gathering support from Joab and Abiathar. However, Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba remind David of his promise that Solomon would succeed him. This verse (1 Ki 1:34) is part of David's immediate and decisive command to counteract Adonijah's coup. David's urgency underscores the need for a swift and public affirmation of Solomon's divinely appointed kingship to prevent civil war and maintain order. The selection of Zadok (the faithful priest) and Nathan (the prophet who delivered God's covenant to David) to oversee the anointing ensures that Solomon's ascent is recognized not merely as a political maneuver but as a sacred act willed by God. The anointing at Gihon, outside the city walls, transforms a private royal decision into a grand public spectacle, making the legitimacy of Solomon's reign clear to all.

Word Analysis

• And let Zadok: (וְצָדוֹק - v'Tsadoq). The conjunction "and" links this command directly to David's prior instructions (1 Ki 1:33). Zadok (צָדוֹק), meaning "righteous" or "just," was the legitimate high priest who remained loyal to David, unlike Abiathar who joined Adonijah. His presence in the anointing conferred essential divine and religious authority upon Solomon's reign, marking it as a righteous act.
• the priest: (הַכֹּהֵן - haKohen). Designates Zadok's role as the authorized officiant in sacred rites, underscoring the spiritual significance of the anointing. His participation consecrated Solomon's kingship.
• and Nathan: (וְנָתָן - v'Natan). Nathan (נָתָן), meaning "given" or "gift of God," was a pivotal prophet who conveyed God's covenant to David (2 Sam 7) and reproved him for his sin (2 Sam 12). His presence in this act publicly authenticated Solomon's kingship as divinely sanctioned and prophesied, reinforcing that Solomon was God's chosen one, not merely David's preference or Adonijah's ambition.
• the prophet: (הַנָּבִיא - haNavi). Highlights Nathan's role as God's spokesperson, emphasizing the divine approval and guidance behind Solomon's enthronement.
• anoint him: (יִמְשְׁחוּ אֹתוֹ - yim'shechu oto). From the root מָשַׁח (mashach), meaning "to smear" or "to consecrate by anointing." This act, involving the pouring of sacred oil, physically marked the chosen one as divinely appointed and set apart for a special office. It conveyed spiritual empowerment and legitimacy. In ancient Israel, priests, kings, and sometimes prophets were anointed.
• there: (שָׁם - sham). Refers to the Gihon Spring (1 Ki 1:33), a place with symbolic ties to life and purification. Conducting the anointing there made it a public, visible, and celebrated event for the populace, distinguishing it from Adonijah's secretive self-coronation.
• king over Israel: (מֶלֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - melekh al-Yisra'el). Clearly defines Solomon's authority and territory. He is not just king, but king specifically over God's covenant people, implying his rule is ultimately under God's suzerainty.
• and blow ye with the trumpet: (וּתְקַעְתֶּם בַּשׁוֹפָר - ut'qa'tem ba'shofar). "Shofar" (שׁוֹפָר), a ram's horn, was used for significant public announcements, religious festivals, warfare, and indeed, royal inaugurations. The loud, piercing sound served as a public proclamation to gather people, announce a new era, or mark a pivotal moment. It ensured that news of Solomon's anointing reached all corners, solidifying his reign against potential opposition.
• and say, God save king Solomon: (וְאֲמַרְתֶּם יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה - v'amartem Y'chi haMelech Shlomo). "God save the king" or "Long live the king" was a standard acclamation (יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ) upon the accession of a new monarch. It functioned as both a declaration of allegiance and a prayer for the king's well-being and a long, prosperous reign. In this context, it was a direct counter-declaration to Adonijah's usurped cries, publicly asserting God's chosen king. The Hebrew implies a desire for his continued life and reign.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him": This grouping highlights the dual religious and prophetic authority necessary to validate Solomon's kingship. Zadok represents the divine cultic approval, while Nathan represents the divine prophetic word. Together, they certify that Solomon's reign is sanctioned by God Himself, far exceeding a mere human political appointment.
• "anoint him there king over Israel": Emphasizes the public setting and the specific designation of Solomon's rule. "King over Israel" specifies the divine choice for the covenant people, stressing a rule divinely established for the nation chosen by God.
• "and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon": This final instruction details the public announcement and popular affirmation. The trumpet's blast ensures the message's reach and authority, while the acclamation secures the people's loyalty and prayer for the newly crowned monarch. This public demonstration serves as an unshakeable seal of legitimacy for Solomon's reign, squashing any doubts or rival claims.

1 Kings 1 34 Commentary

1 Kings 1:34 is a pivotal verse, serving as the official announcement and spiritual legitimization of Solomon's reign. It underscores that kingship in Israel was not solely a matter of human ambition or political maneuvering, but ultimately, a divine appointment. The participation of both Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet in the anointing rite signifies that Solomon's authority derived from sacred sources—from God's direct revelation (via Nathan) and His established worship (via Zadok). This unified spiritual sanction was essential to establish the true successor, especially given the preceding tension and Adonijah's usurpation attempt.

The act of anointing with oil consecrated Solomon, setting him apart as God's chosen vessel, empowering him with divine favor, much like a priestly or prophetic anointing. The choice of the Gihon Spring as the location ensured that this crucial event was a public spectacle, proclaiming Solomon's kingship for all to see and hear, thus countering Adonijah's self-declaration effectively. The blast of the shofar (trumpet) acted as a powerful, unambiguous announcement across Jerusalem, ensuring that no one could claim ignorance of the new, divinely sanctioned monarch. The acclamation, "God save king Solomon!" was more than a mere cheer; it was a prayer for the king's welfare and a public vow of allegiance, solidifying the national recognition of Solomon's God-given authority. This meticulously executed process demonstrates the theocratic nature of Israelite kingship, where the monarch was meant to rule as God's viceroy, under His guidance and by His appointment.

Bonus SectionThe rapid execution of David's command to anoint Solomon was crucial due to the immediate threat posed by Adonijah's ongoing coronation feast. The use of the Gihon Spring (1 Ki 1:33) was symbolically significant beyond being merely public. Gihon was Jerusalem's main water source, representing life and renewal. Anointing a king there suggested a flow of blessing and prosperity for his reign. The combined roles of a prophet and a priest in the anointing signify the integration of divine revelation and the sacrificial system in legitimizing the earthly king, mirroring a deeper theological truth: the true King, Christ, is both Prophet, Priest, and King. The anointing ceremony prefigured the anointing of Jesus as the ultimate Messiah (the "Anointed One") with the Holy Spirit for His eternal kingdom (Acts 10:38; Luke 1:32-33). The shouts of "God save King Solomon" foreshadow the future recognition of the King of kings and Lord of lords.