1 Kings 1:39 kjv
And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
1 Kings 1:39 nkjv
Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!"
1 Kings 1:39 niv
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
1 Kings 1:39 esv
There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!"
1 Kings 1:39 nlt
There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram's horn and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!"
1 Kings 1 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Anointing & Divine Consecration | ||
| Exod 29:7 | Then take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. | Consecration of priests. |
| Lev 8:12 | And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him, to consecrate him. | Ritual anointing for high priests. |
| 1 Sam 9:16 | "...I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over my people Israel..." | Saul's initial anointing as king by Samuel. |
| 1 Sam 10:1 | Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head... and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?” | Samuel anointing Saul. |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. | David's anointing as king by Samuel. |
| Psa 2:6 | “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy mountain.” | God's sovereign act of installing His King. |
| Isa 61:1 | The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me... | Prophetic anointing, speaking of the Messiah. |
| Luke 4:18 | “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor..." | Jesus quoting Isa 61:1, claiming His Messianic anointing. |
| Acts 10:38 | ...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. | Jesus' anointing with the Spirit, echoing physical anointing. |
| Heb 1:9 | "...God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” | Christ as the ultimate Anointed One, kingly anointing. |
| Legitimacy & Kingly Succession | ||
| 1 Kgs 1:33 | "...Have my servants mount my son Solomon on my own mule and lead him down to Gihon." | David's command ensuring Solomon's rightful succession. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | "...I will raise up your offspring to succeed you... I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name..." | The Davidic covenant, promising an enduring dynasty. |
| Psa 89:3-4 | “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your lineage forever...’” | Reinforces the Davidic covenant. |
| Psa 89:20 | I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. | Divine choice and anointing of David. |
| Symbolism of Oil & Horn | ||
| Zec 4:12 | I asked him, “What are these two olive branches discharging gold oil through two gold pipes?” | Symbolism of divine power/Spirit flow. |
| Psa 92:10 | You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me. | Horn as a symbol of strength and honor. |
| Acclamation & Divine Blessing | ||
| Deut 17:15 | ...be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. | God's role in choosing Israel's king. |
| 1 Sam 10:24 | Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen?...” Then all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” | Public acclamation following divine choice (Saul). |
| 2 Kgs 11:12 | Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and shouted, “Long live the king!” | Another instance of anointing and acclamation (Joash). |
| Ps 20:6 | Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. | Confidence in God's support for His anointed. |
| Significance of the Trumpet | ||
| Num 10:1-10 | Instructions for blowing silver trumpets for assembling, moving camp, warfare, and joyous occasions. | Priestly trumpets used for proclamations and solemn events. |
| Joel 2:1 | Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. | Trumpet as a sound for solemn announcement. |
| Matt 24:31 | And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call... | Trumpet announcing significant divine events (second coming). |
1 Kings 1 verses
1 Kings 1 39 Meaning
1 Kings 1:39 describes the divinely sanctioned anointing and public acclamation of Solomon as king of Israel. This act, performed by Zadok the priest using sacred oil from the tabernacle and accompanied by the blast of a trumpet, formally installed Solomon in his kingship, confirming God's choice and the transfer of authority from David. The people's cry, "God save king Solomon," solidified his legitimacy and demonstrated popular consent under divine mandate.
1 Kings 1 39 Context
1 Kings 1:39 is the climactic moment in the resolution of the succession crisis at the end of King David's reign. David is old and weak (1 Kgs 1:1-4), leading his son Adonijah to prematurely declare himself king without David's knowledge or divine appointment (1 Kgs 1:5-10). Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, intervene by informing David of Adonijah's usurpation and reminding him of his promise to Solomon (1 Kgs 1:11-27). David responds swiftly, issuing a direct command to have Solomon officially anointed and proclaimed king (1 Kgs 1:28-37), publicly designating him as his successor chosen by God.
This verse therefore represents the public and ceremonial act that legitimized Solomon's claim to the throne, ensuring a peaceful transition of power. It serves as a direct polemic against Adonijah's self-appointed authority, emphasizing that true kingship in Israel came from divine appointment, conveyed through priestly anointing and prophetic witness, not through self-promotion or popular assembly. The ceremony's location at Gihon spring, outside the city, allowed for public display, drawing on the symbolism of life-giving water, but also allowing for security amidst the political tension.
1 Kings 1 39 Word analysis
- And Zadok (וְצָדוֹק֙, v'Tsadoq) the priest (הַכֹּהֵ֗ן, hakKohen): Zadok, meaning "righteous," was a key priest during David's reign, distinguishing himself by remaining loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion and now again during Adonijah's attempted coup. His role here is crucial; as a
kohen, he is authorized to perform sacred rituals. His action lends divine and religious legitimacy to Solomon's kingship. - took (וַיִּקַּ֤ח, vayyiqqaḥ): A deliberate and intentional act of acquiring.
- a horn (קֶ֤רֶן, qeren) of oil (שֶׁ֗מֶן, shemen): The "horn" (often of an animal, like a ram) signifies strength, permanence, and divine blessing, unlike a fragile flask used for anointing Saul (1 Sam 10:1), implying a lasting anointing. The "oil" (
shemen, olive oil) symbolizes consecration, divine favor, empowerment by the Holy Spirit, and the setting apart for a special divine purpose. It's the standard medium for anointing kings and priests in Israel, linking Solomon's kingship to divine anointing. - out of the tabernacle (מִן־הָאֹ֔הֶל, min-ha'Ohel): Specifically, the "tent" or Tent of Meeting (often translated "tabernacle"), where the ark of the covenant was housed before the Temple's construction. This detail is paramount; it means the oil was sacred, directly from the place of God's dwelling, not common oil. It explicitly states that Solomon's anointing derived its authority directly from God Himself, as it was performed with sacred oil from God's presence.
- and anointed (וַיִּמְשַׁ֣ח, vayyimshaḥ) Solomon (אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה, et-Shlomoh):
vayyimshaḥis the verb from whichmashiach(Messiah) is derived, meaning "to smear" or "to pour oil on." This act formally consecrated Solomon, setting him apart as God's chosen king. Solomon, whose name means "peace," now formally begins his reign marked by divine endorsement. - And they blew (וַיִּתְקְעוּ, vayyitq'u) the trumpet (בַּשּׁוֹפָר֙, baShofar):
vayyitq'urefers to blowing a horn (like a ram's horn,shofar). Theshofarwas used for solemn announcements, summoning people, signaling battle, or marking major national/religious events (e.g., God's presence at Sinai, Rosh Hashanah). Its blast here publicly proclaimed Solomon's ascension to the entire population with undeniable audibility, signifying a divinely authorized proclamation to all Israel. It’s a loud, unmistakable sound of inauguration. - and all the people (וְכָל־הָעָם֙, v'khol-ha'Am) said (וַיֹּאמְר֔וּ, vayyo'mru): This shows widespread popular affirmation of Solomon's kingship, echoing David's promise and divine will. The people's unified voice signifies consensus.
- God save king Solomon (יְחִ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה, Yechi haMelekh Shlomoh): Literally "May the king Solomon live!" or "Long live King Solomon!" This acclamation is both a cheer of support and a prayer for divine blessing, longevity, and success for the newly anointed king, recognizing that his authority is established by God and sustained by His favor. It stands in direct contrast to the implicit challenge to David's kingship that Adonijah represented.
Words-group analysis:
- Zadok... took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon: This phrase encapsulates the sacredness and divine authority behind Solomon's kingship. The source (tabernacle/God's presence), the agent (Zadok, God's chosen priest), the vessel (horn, signifying strength/permanence), and the act (anointing) all emphasize divine legitimization over human ambition (Adonijah).
- And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon: This phrase highlights the public, undeniable nature of the enthronement and the subsequent communal affirmation. The trumpet's loud blast served as an official, unignorable announcement from a sacred instrument, while the people's unanimous shout confirmed their allegiance and prayerful support for the king whom God had chosen and David had commanded.
1 Kings 1 39 Bonus section
- The anointing ritual for kings drew parallels to the anointing of priests, signifying that kingship in Israel was a sacred office, not merely a political position, placing the king in a special covenantal relationship with God.
- The use of a
hornof oil, specifically (compared to a "flask" for Saul, 1 Sam 10:1), symbolizes the permanence, strength, and abundance of God's blessing and the anointing. It implied a more established, lasting kingship than Saul's. - Gihon Spring was chosen for the ceremony perhaps because it was a vital water source for Jerusalem, symbolizing life, refreshment, and the thriving future of Solomon's reign, mirroring the "living waters" metaphor sometimes found in Scripture.
- The ceremonial acts (anointing, riding David's mule, the public proclamation) were crucial in discrediting Adonijah's rival claim. Solomon’s enthronement was public and official, reflecting divine choice, not popular or military seizure of power.
- Solomon's anointing prefigures the ultimate "Anointed One," the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the roles of King and Priest, receiving His anointing with the Holy Spirit for an eternal kingdom.
1 Kings 1 39 Commentary
1 Kings 1:39 marks the decisive, divinely ordained installation of Solomon as king. The scene at Gihon, outside the city, ensured maximum public visibility for this pivotal moment of transition from the revered Davidic monarchy to its successor. The choice of Zadok the priest and the use of the horn of oil from the tabernacle underscored the theological depth of the anointing; it was not a mere political maneuver but a sacred consecration directly authorized by God. This contrasts sharply with Adonijah's self-proclamation, which lacked such divine and religious backing. The shofar blast served as a loud, official declaration, summoning all to witness and acknowledge the true succession. The people's ensuing acclamation, "God save King Solomon," acted as a corporate amen, affirming both the human recognition and the desire for divine preservation of the new reign. This entire event firmly rooted Solomon's kingship in God's will, ensuring the continuity of the Davidic covenant and the stability of the kingdom. This episode powerfully demonstrates that God ultimately raises up kings and leaders according to His sovereign plan.