What is the meaning of 1 Kings 2:35? And the king appointed • Solomon exercises the royal authority given him by God, carrying out David’s final instructions (1 Kings 2:1–4). • “The king’s word is supreme” echoes the principle in Proverbs 16:10: “A divine verdict is on the lips of a king.” • As steward of God’s people, Solomon’s appointments reflect obedience to the covenant (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). Benaiah son of Jehoiada • A proven warrior: “He struck down two of Moab’s best men…He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion” (2 Samuel 23:20-23). • Loyal to Solomon from the start (1 Kings 1:8, 38). • Spiritually minded, for his father Jehoiada was a priest (1 Chronicles 27:5), blending courage with reverence. in Joab’s place over the army • Joab forfeited his command through bloodguilt (1 Kings 2:5-6; 2 Samuel 3:27-30). • Removing Joab removes lingering rebellion, granting Israel a fresh start under righteous leadership (Psalm 101:6-8). • Benaiah’s promotion fulfills David’s directive in 1 Kings 2:29-31 and displays Proverbs 20:26: “A wise king winnows out the wicked.” and he appointed Zadok the priest • Zadok proved faithful when others wavered, remaining with David during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15:24-29) and supporting Solomon’s anointing (1 Kings 1:39). • God had foretold a lasting priesthood for Zadok’s line because of this fidelity (Ezekiel 44:15). • His character embodies Malachi 2:6: “True instruction was in his mouth.” in Abiathar’s place • Abiathar had aligned with Adonijah’s conspiracy (1 Kings 1:7), disqualifying himself from service. • Solomon spared his life but removed him, “fulfilling the word the LORD had spoken at Shiloh about the house of Eli” (1 Kings 2:27; cf. 1 Samuel 2:31-35). • The change underscores that spiritual privilege can be lost through unfaithfulness (Revelation 3:11). summary Solomon’s dual appointments of Benaiah and Zadok replace compromised leaders with men of proven loyalty and righteousness. The verse highlights God’s faithfulness to His promises, the necessity of purity in leadership, and the truth that obedience brings promotion while disobedience brings removal. |
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