1 Kings 2 35

1 Kings 2:35 kjv

And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.

1 Kings 2:35 nkjv

The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

1 Kings 2:35 niv

The king put Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army in Joab's position and replaced Abiathar with Zadok the priest.

1 Kings 2:35 esv

The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

1 Kings 2:35 nlt

Then the king appointed Benaiah to command the army in place of Joab, and he installed Zadok the priest to take the place of Abiathar.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 35 Meaning

This verse records two key appointments by King Solomon: Benaiah son of Jehoiada is placed in command of the army, replacing the executed Joab; and Zadok the priest is put in Abiathar’s place as high priest. These actions represent a decisive consolidation of Solomon’s power, purging elements disloyal to him (Joab and Abiathar, who sided with Adonijah) and elevating his faithful supporters. It also marks the fulfillment of a significant prophecy concerning the house of Eli.

1 Kings 2 35 Context

1 Kings chapter 2 details King Solomon's crucial steps to solidify his rule following his ascension to the throne after David. It begins with David's final charge to Solomon, emphasizing justice and dealing with various individuals according to their past loyalty and actions (2:1-9). Solomon promptly executes Adonijah (2:13-25) for his veiled attempt to usurp the throne. Immediately following, he expels Abiathar from the priesthood (2:26-27), fulfilling an ancient prophecy against the house of Eli. Then, Joab, the former military commander, is executed for his disloyalty and past murders (2:28-34). This specific verse, 1 Kings 2:35, records the immediate positive outcome of these purges: Solomon installs loyal figures, Benaiah and Zadok, into the highest military and religious offices respectively. This marked the complete establishment and secure foundation of Solomon’s reign by removing all opposition and appointing reliable leaders, leading to the affirmation in 1 Kings 2:46 that the "kingdom was established firmly in the hand of Solomon." Historically, this period marked the transition from David's often tumultuous reign to a more stable and centralized monarchy under Solomon, essential for building the Temple.

1 Kings 2 35 Word analysis

• The king: (Heb. מֶלֶךְ, meleḵ) Refers to Solomon, indicating his immediate and sovereign authority newly asserted. This highlights his direct involvement in these significant appointments, consolidating royal power.

• then put: (Heb. וַיִּתֵּן, vayyittēn, "and he gave/placed") This Hiphil perfect consecutive verb indicates a causative and immediate action, emphasizing the decisive and active role Solomon played. He didn't just allow; he directly appointed.

• Benaiah son of Jehoiada: (Heb. בְּנָיָהוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע, B’nayahû ben Yəhôyādāʿ) Benaiah means "Yahweh has built." He was a seasoned and highly loyal warrior, part of David’s inner circle (the Cherethites and Pelethites) and his chief executioner. His unwavering allegiance to Solomon (1 Ki 1:8, 1:44) made him the perfect choice for the kingdom's military leader.

• in command of the army: (Heb. עַל־הַצָּבָא, ʿal haṣṣāvāʾ) Literally "over the army." This signifies the highest military rank, a position previously held by Joab. It denotes complete authority over the nation's military forces.

• in his place: (Heb. תַּחְתָּיו, taḥtāv, "in his stead") This implicitly refers to Joab, who had just been executed by Benaiah at Solomon's command (1 Ki 2:34). It shows an immediate succession following the removal of a disloyal figure.

• and Zadok the priest: (Heb. צָדוֹק הַכֹּהֵן, Ṣādôq haKōhēn) Zadok means "righteous." He was a legitimate descendant of Aaron through Eleazar. Unlike Abiathar who sided with Adonijah, Zadok remained loyal to David and Solomon, anointing Solomon king (1 Ki 1:39). His loyalty and lineage were crucial for legitimacy.

• the king put: (Heb. הַמֶּלֶךְ נָתַן, hammeleḵ nāṯan, "the king placed/gave") Repetition of "the king" emphasizes Solomon's direct agency and royal authority in this second key appointment, just as with Benaiah.

• in the place of Abiathar: (Heb. תַּחַת אֶבְיָתָר, taḥat ʾEvyāṯār, "in the stead of Abiathar") This directly names Abiathar, explicitly stating his replacement. Abiathar, from the line of Eli, was stripped of his priestly office (1 Ki 2:27). This act directly fulfilled God's prophecy against Eli’s house in 1 Samuel 2:30-36, making Zadok the sole legitimate high priest.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The king then put Benaiah son of Jehoiada in command of the army in his place": This phrase highlights Solomon’s strategic consolidation of military power. The immediate appointment of Benaiah after Joab's execution signals Solomon’s swift and decisive actions to secure the physical might of the kingdom under loyal control. It removes the remnants of potentially unstable, albeit powerful, old alliances.
  • "and Zadok the priest the king put in the place of Abiathar": This second part addresses the religious authority. The deliberate replacement of Abiathar by Zadok not only secures religious loyalty to the throne but also carries profound theological significance. It represents a divine judgment and a realignment of the legitimate priesthood according to God’s previous decree, ensuring that the spiritual leadership of Israel aligned with God’s righteous path for Solomon's reign.

1 Kings 2 35 Bonus section

The immediate and deliberate replacement of both the chief military commander and the high priest underscores Solomon's commitment to rooting out all perceived disloyalty and establishing a stable foundation for his reign. These were the two most powerful positions outside the king himself, crucial for maintaining internal order and external security. The appointment of Benaiah signified total control over the means of coercion, while Zadok’s appointment marked divine endorsement and stability in religious practice, culminating in the construction of the Temple. This precise restructuring demonstrates Solomon’s wisdom in addressing both political threats and spiritual lineage in building a united and divinely sanctioned kingdom. The transition from Abiathar to Zadok is a clear demonstration that loyalty and divine favor superseded established tradition where judgment was pronounced.

1 Kings 2 35 Commentary

This verse encapsulates Solomon's method of solidifying his nascent kingdom through both executive action and strategic appointments. By elevating Benaiah, the executioner of Adonijah and Joab, to supreme military command, Solomon ensures the army's absolute loyalty. This move systematically dismantled any remaining military resistance or potential for rebellion rooted in David's previous power structure. Concurrently, the demotion of Abiathar and elevation of Zadok fundamentally reorganized the nation's spiritual leadership. This was not merely a political shift but a divine alignment; Abiathar, despite his long service to David, had sided with a usurper and represented a priestly line under God's judgment (1 Sam 2:30-36). Zadok, on the other hand, a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar and unwavering in his loyalty to Solomon, symbolized the restoration of a faithful priesthood, paving the way for the dedicated temple service during Solomon's reign. Together, these dual appointments established pillars of strong military and legitimate spiritual authority, securing the kingdom for Solomon.