◄ 1 Kings 1:40 ►
All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.
Study Bible
All the people followed him,

This phrase indicates the widespread support for Solomon's anointing as king. The people of Israel recognized Solomon as the legitimate successor to David, which was crucial for maintaining unity in the kingdom. This event took place in Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Israel, emphasizing the importance of the city in God's plan. The people's following of Solomon can be seen as a type of Christ, as Jesus is followed by His people as the rightful King.

2Sa 6:15 while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark…
2Ki 11:12-14 Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son,…
1Ch 15:25-28 So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders…

playing flutes

The use of musical instruments in celebrations was common in ancient Israel. Flutes, along with other instruments, were often used in religious and royal ceremonies. This reflects the cultural practices of the time, where music played a significant role in expressing joy and worship. The playing of flutes here signifies the celebratory nature of Solomon's anointing, similar to the joy expressed in Psalm 150, which calls for praising God with various instruments.

1Sa 10:5 After that you will come to Gibeah of God,…
Isa 30:29 You will sing as on the night of a holy festival…
Mat 11:17 We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;…

and rejoicing with such a great joy

The people's joy was immense, reflecting their approval and hope for Solomon's reign. This joy can be compared to the joy of the Israelites when David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14-15). It also foreshadows the joy of believers in the New Testament, as seen in Luke 2:10, where the angel announces good news of great joy at the birth of Jesus, the ultimate King.

Neh 12:43 On that day they offered great sacrifices,…
Est 8:16-17 For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness,…
2Ch 30:26 So there was great rejoicing in Jerusalem,…

that the earth was split by the sound.

This hyperbolic expression emphasizes the magnitude of the celebration. The phrase suggests that the joy and noise were so intense that it seemed to shake the earth. This can be seen as a metaphor for the impact of Solomon's anointing on the nation of Israel. It also echoes the powerful events in Scripture where God's presence or actions cause the earth to tremble, such as in Exodus 19:18 at Mount Sinai. This foreshadows the ultimate shaking of the earth at Christ's return, as described in Hebrews 12:26-27.

1Sa 4:5 When the ark of the covenant of the LORD entered the camp…
Psa 68:8 the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain…
Psa 77:18 Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind;…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is anointed as king in this passage, marking the beginning of his reign over Israel.

2. David
The aging king of Israel who orchestrates the anointing of Solomon to ensure a peaceful transition of power.

3. Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet
Key figures who support Solomon's anointing, representing religious and prophetic authority.

4. Gihon
The location where Solomon is anointed king, a significant site near Jerusalem.

5. The People of Israel
They express overwhelming joy and support for Solomon's anointing, signifying unity and approval of his kingship.
Teaching Points
The Joy of God's Plan
The people's rejoicing reflects the joy that comes from witnessing God's plan unfold. We should celebrate and find joy in God's work in our lives.

Unity in Leadership
The collective support for Solomon's anointing underscores the importance of unity under God-appointed leadership. In our communities, we should strive for unity and support for those God places in authority.

The Role of Music in Worship
The use of flutes and music in the celebration highlights the role of music in expressing joy and worship. We can incorporate music as a powerful tool for worship and celebration in our spiritual lives.

Divine Timing and Order
Solomon's anointing at Gihon was orchestrated by God through David, showing the importance of divine timing and order. We should trust in God's timing and order in our own lives.

Legacy and Covenant
Solomon's anointing is a fulfillment of God's promise to David, reminding us of the importance of legacy and God's faithfulness to His covenants. We should consider the legacy we are building and trust in God's promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the joy of the people in 1 Kings 1:40 reflect our response to God's work in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we support and unify under God-appointed leadership in our communities and churches?

3. How can music and other forms of art enhance our worship and expression of joy in God?

4. What lessons can we learn from the timing and order of Solomon's anointing about trusting God's timing in our own lives?

5. How does the fulfillment of God's promise to David through Solomon encourage us to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16
The anointing of David by Samuel, which parallels Solomon's anointing and highlights the divine choice of leadership.

2 Samuel 7
God's covenant with David, promising that his lineage will continue to rule, which is fulfilled in Solomon's anointing.

Psalm 72
A psalm attributed to Solomon, reflecting the ideal of a righteous and prosperous reign.

Matthew 21
The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where the people also express great joy, drawing a parallel to the celebration of Solomon's kingship.
Sermons
AdonijahA. Williamson.1 Kings 1:5-53
Ambition, DestructivePlutarch.1 Kings 1:5-53
UsurpationJ. Parker, D. D.1 Kings 1:5-53
When the Play is OutT. Adams.1 Kings 1:5-53
The Dethronement of the False by the Enthronement of the TrueA. Rowland 1 Kings 1:39-41
People
Abiathar, Abishag, Absalom, Adonijah, Bathsheba, Benaiah, Cherethites, David, Haggith, Jehoiada, Joab, Jonathan, Kerethites, Nathan, Pelethites, Rei, Shimei, Solomon, Zadok, Zeruiah
Places
En-rogel, Gihon, Jerusalem, Serpent's Stone
Topics
Flutes, Glad, Greatly, Ground, Joy, Noise, Piped, Pipes, Piping, Playing, Rejoiced, Rejoicing, Rendeth, Rent, Shaking, Shook, Split, Voice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 1:40

     5420   music

1 Kings 1:5-53

     5087   David, reign of

1 Kings 1:28-40

     5366   king

1 Kings 1:38-40

     5119   Solomon, life of
     5314   flute

1 Kings 1:39-40

     8288   joy, of Israel

Library
David Appointing Solomon
'Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29. And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30. Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31. Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Adonijah
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. It is notorious that the sons of devout men sometimes prove a curse to their parents, and bring dishonour on the cause of God. When Eve rejoiced over her first-born, she little suspected that passions were sleeping within him which would impel him to slay his own brother; and the experience of the first mother has been repeated, though in different forms, in all lands and in all ages. Isaac's heart was rent by the deceit of Jacob, and by the self-will of Esau. …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Prayer Should be Vocal?
Objection 1: It would seem that prayer ought not to be vocal. As stated above [3025](A[4]), prayer is addressed chiefly to God. Now God knows the language of the heart. Therefore it is useless to employ vocal prayer. Objection 2: Further, prayer should lift man's mind to God, as stated above (A[1], ad 2). But words, like other sensible objects, prevent man from ascending to God by contemplation. Therefore we should not use words in our prayers. Objection 3: Further, prayer should be offered to God …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Reign of David.
2 Sam.; 1 Chron. Chs. 11-29; 1 K 1:1-2:11. His Reign over Judah. The reign of David is divided into two parts. The first part was over Judah, with the capitol at Hebron, and lasted seven and one-half years. During this period Ishbosheth, son of Saul, reigned over Israel in the North. It is probable that both of these kings were regarded as vassals of the Philistines and paid tribute. On account of rival leaders, there was constant warfare between these two rival kings. The kingdom of Judah, however, …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
Sections. 1. Connection between the doctrine of Justification and that of Regeneration. The knowledge of this doctrine very necessary for two reasons. 2. For the purpose of facilitating the exposition of it, the terms are explained. 1. What it is to be justified in the sight of God. 2. To be justified by works. 3. To be justified by faith. Definition. 3. Various meanings of the term Justification. 1. To give praise to God and truth. 2. To make a vain display of righteousness. 3. To impute righteousness …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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