What is the meaning of 1 Kings 1:45? Zadok the priest Zadok is the faithful high priest who carried the ark alongside Abiathar during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15:24-29). His lineage traces to Aaron, underscoring a legitimate priestly authority (2 Samuel 8:17). Here his presence signals that Solomon’s coronation is sanctioned by the covenant priesthood—an unbroken chain from Sinai to Jerusalem that God Himself established (Numbers 25:10-13). Nathan the prophet Nathan had earlier confronted David over sin (2 Samuel 12:1-14) and delivered God’s promise of an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:2-17). Standing with Zadok, he represents the prophetic voice that guards the throne under God’s oversight (1 Kings 1:11-14). Priest and prophet together show that spiritual leadership is unified behind Solomon, fulfilling Deuteronomy’s requirement that matters be confirmed by two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). Have anointed him king Anointing with oil publicly signals God’s choice and empowering, as seen when Samuel anointed Saul (1 Samuel 10:1) and David (1 Samuel 16:13). By repeating the act for Solomon (1 Kings 1:39), priest and prophet declare that the monarchy continues by divine appointment, not political maneuvering. Psalm 89:20 echoes, “I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.” At Gihon Gihon, a spring on Jerusalem’s eastern slope (1 Kings 1:33, 38), lay outside Adonijah’s self-styled coronation at En-rogel. Choosing Gihon affirms David’s directive and symbolizes fresh, life-giving water—God’s provision that sustains the city (2 Chronicles 32:30). It also avoids the pollution of rebellion by separating Solomon’s ceremony from Adonijah’s gathering. They have gone up from there “Gone up” pictures the ascent from the valley to the throne, mirroring Israel’s recurring pattern of moving from humbling valleys to God-ordained heights (Psalm 24:3). Solomon’s procession follows David’s instructions (1 Kings 1:35), demonstrating obedience before enthronement. With rejoicing that rings out in the city The people’s exuberant shouts (1 Kings 1:40) echo earlier celebrations—like Israel rejoicing when the ark entered Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15) and Judah welcoming David as king (1 Chronicles 12:40). Such communal joy confirms broad acceptance that Solomon, not Adonijah, is the rightful ruler. That is the noise you hear The uproar reaches Adonijah’s feast (1 Kings 1:41), exposing the emptiness of his self-promotion and contrasting true, Spirit-filled celebration with flesh-driven ambition (Proverbs 21:30). As in 1 Samuel 4:5-6, noise in the city signals a pivotal divine act that cannot be ignored. summary 1 Kings 1:45 shows priest and prophet uniting to anoint Solomon at Gihon, validating his kingship by God’s law and promise. The upward procession and citywide rejoicing display public confirmation of God’s choice, while the noise that reaches Adonijah underscores that human schemes collapse when the Lord establishes His king. |
    |