1 Kings 1:38 kjv
So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
1 Kings 1:38 nkjv
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and took him to Gihon.
1 Kings 1:38 niv
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon mount King David's mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.
1 Kings 1:38 esv
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon.
1 Kings 1:38 nlt
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king's bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David's own mule.
1 Kings 1 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 1:32 | Then King David said, “Call Zadok the priest... Nathan the prophet..." | David's command initiating the succession. |
| 1 Ki 1:33 | "...and bring Solomon my son down to Gihon..." | The instruction to go down with Solomon. |
| 1 Ki 1:39 | Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. | The fulfillment of the anointing. |
| 1 Ki 1:40 | All the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing... | The joyful public reception of Solomon. |
| 1 Ki 2:12 | Solomon sat on the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was firmly established. | Solomon's secured reign. |
| 2 Sa 7:12-16 | The Davidic Covenant: God promises to establish David's house and kingdom forever. | Divine basis for Solomon's lineage & throne. |
| 1 Chr 29:22-25 | They made Solomon son of David king a second time... prospered exceedingly. | Solomon's affirmed kingship, God's blessing. |
| Ps 2:6 | "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy mountain." | God's sovereignty in establishing kings. |
| Isa 9:6-7 | For to us a child is born... The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this. | Prophecy of the eternal King, Messiah. |
| Heb 1:8 | But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever..." | Christ as the ultimate, eternal King. |
| Ez 44:15 | The Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge... shall serve. | Zadokite priests' enduring legacy of loyalty. |
| 2 Sa 7:3-17 | Nathan delivers God's promise to David about his house. | Nathan's role in the Davidic Covenant. |
| 2 Sa 12:1-15 | Nathan confronts David regarding Bathsheba and Uriah. | Nathan's prophetic authority and courage. |
| 1 Ki 2:34-35 | Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down... put Benaiah over the army. | Benaiah's military role in Solomon's reign. |
| 2 Sa 8:18 | Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites. | Benaiah's command over royal guard. |
| 2 Sa 23:20-23 | Benaiah was a mighty man of valor... commander of David’s bodyguard. | Benaiah's valor and loyalty. |
| 2 Sa 15:18 | All the Cherethites and Pelethites... all the Gittites... went before the king. | Loyalty of foreign guard during rebellion. |
| 2 Sa 23:8-39 | Lists David's mighty warriors and their exploits. | The character and loyalty of "mighty warriors". |
| Ps 122:4-5 | To which the tribes go up... to the thrones of judgment. | Concept of going "up" or "down" for official acts. |
| Mk 11:9-10 | And those who went before and those who followed cried out, "Hosanna!" | Foreshadowing of Triumphal Entry of Christ, acclamation. |
| Jn 12:13 | Took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna!" | Public reception of rightful King (Messiah). |
| Isa 11:1-2 | A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse... Spirit of the LORD. | Foreshadowing of Davidic line and the Messiah's Spirit. |
| Zec 6:12-13 | "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch... he shall build the temple..." | Prophecy of Messiah as Branch, builder of temple (Solomon built temple). |
| Jer 33:17-18 | "For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit..." | Continuity of Davidic covenant and priestly lineage. |
1 Kings 1 verses
1 Kings 1 38 Meaning
1 Kings 1:38 details the immediate and unified response to King David’s decree regarding Solomon’s anointing as the next king. It describes the assembly of key spiritual, prophetic, and military leaders, alongside King David's elite personal guard and his broader army, accompanying Solomon to the Gihon Spring. This coordinated action publicly and forcefully established Solomon's legitimate succession, demonstrating the necessary divine sanction, religious approval, and military backing for the new king's authority, directly countering Adonijah’s attempted usurpation.
1 Kings 1 38 Context
This verse is pivotal within 1 Kings chapter 1, which details the immediate succession crisis following King David's decline in old age. Adonijah, David's elder surviving son, presumptuously declared himself king without his father's knowledge or God's appointment. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba (Solomon's mother) urgently informed David, leading to David's swift command to publicly anoint Solomon as his chosen successor. Verse 38 describes the immediate and loyal execution of David’s decree, with critical spiritual, prophetic, and military figures gathering to accompany Solomon to Gihon Spring for his anointing. This action served to legitimize Solomon's reign, prevent civil war, and counter Adonijah’s illegitimate claim.
1 Kings 1 38 Word analysis
- So (וַיֵּרֶד - wa-yered): This conjunctive structure signals an immediate consequence, showing the direct fulfillment of David’s prior command (verses 32-34). The verb "went down" (yarad) suggests movement from a higher elevation (likely David's palace on Mount Zion or the city of David) to a lower one, specifically the Gihon Spring, situated in the Kidron Valley, a symbolic place for anointing due to its life-giving waters.
- Zadok the priest (צָדוֹק הַכֹּהֵן - Tzāḏôq ha-kōhēn): The high priest who remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion and, crucially, to Solomon in this succession crisis. His presence signifies divine approval and the official religious sanction of the monarchy. He played a crucial role in the anointing ceremony itself. His presence over Abiathar's (who supported Adonijah) solidified Solomon's legitimate spiritual authority.
- Nathan the prophet (נָתָן הַנָּבִיא - Nāṯān ha-nāvî'): God's direct messenger and advisor to David, who prophesied the Davidic Covenant and was instrumental in bringing Adonijah’s actions to David’s attention. His involvement signifies God’s direct endorsement and prophetic validation of Solomon's kingship. His role ensures that the succession is perceived not merely as a political maneuver but as a divine appointment.
- Benaiah son of Jehoiada (בְּנָיָהוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע - Bəṇāyāhū ben-Yəhôyādāʿ): The trusted chief of David's royal bodyguard and commander over the Cherethites and Pelethites. His presence represents the unyielding loyalty and the strong military power ready to enforce the king's decree. He later became the commander of Solomon's entire army.
- the Cherethites and the Pelethites (וְהַכְּרֵתִי וְהַפְּלֵתִי - wə-hak-Kəṟêṯî wə-hap-Pəlêṯî): These were David’s elite foreign mercenary guards, renowned for their absolute loyalty to the king, often serving as his personal security force and executioners of royal decrees. Their participation provided a strong, visible show of military force and unwavering commitment to the legitimate heir, vital in a contested succession.
- and all King David’s mighty warriors (וְכָל־גִּבֹּרֵי דָוִד - wə-ḵol-gibborê Dāwîḏ): Referring to the gibborim, the experienced and formidable fighting men who constituted the core of David’s army, renowned for their courage and feats. Their collective presence signifies the unified backing of the kingdom's military establishment for Solomon, affirming his control over the national defense and the army’s allegiance.
- went down with Solomon (אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹה - ʾeṯ-Šəlōmōh): Solomon is presented as the central figure, the new king around whom all these crucial figures rally. The unified action of these diverse, powerful entities accompanying Solomon solidifies his claim and publicly displays broad-based support for his ascension to the throne. This phrase underscores that the entire official body of authority, religious and military, sanctioned and supported the designated heir.
1 Kings 1 38 Bonus section
The composition of the procession accompanying Solomon signifies the crucial institutional pillars supporting the Davidic monarchy: the priestly order, the prophetic voice, and the military strength. Their unified participation in Solomon's anointing established a precedent for rightful kingship being divinely sanctioned, prophetically confirmed, and militarily protected. The Gihon Spring, an essential water source for Jerusalem, added symbolic depth, representing life and renewal for the new reign. This swift and decisive action prevented a potentially divisive and bloody power struggle, securing the kingdom's stability during a vulnerable transition period. It underscored that loyalty to King David now directly transferred to his chosen successor, Solomon, marking the transition from a revered, but ailing, monarch to a newly anointed one.
1 Kings 1 38 Commentary
1 Kings 1:38 concisely portrays the critical elements necessary for establishing legitimate royal authority in ancient Israel. The seamless integration of religious legitimacy (Zadok and Nathan) with undeniable military power (Benaiah, the Cherethites, Pelethites, and mighty warriors) ensures the divine mandate is swiftly and effectively executed. This coalition’s united descent with Solomon to the Gihon Spring not only fulfills David’s command but also serves as a potent visual declaration to the nation: God's chosen king is about to be installed with full support. The scene directly contrasts Adonijah’s failed attempt at self-proclamation by demonstrating the critical elements he lacked: divine favor, prophetic affirmation, and the unwavering loyalty of key figures holding significant power and authority within the kingdom. It is a powerful display of God's hand in orchestrating the transfer of leadership, establishing stability through divine appointment rather than human ambition.