Zadok: A Priest
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Zadok, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, served as a high priest during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. His lineage traces back to Aaron, the brother of Moses, through Eleazar, making him a descendant of the Levitical priesthood. Zadok's role and actions are pivotal in the religious and political landscape of ancient Israel.

Anointing of Solomon

Zadok first emerges in the biblical narrative during the tumultuous period of King David's reign. As David's life drew to a close, a succession crisis arose. Adonijah, one of David's sons, attempted to usurp the throne. However, David had promised the kingship to Solomon, his son with Bathsheba. Zadok, alongside the prophet Nathan and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, remained loyal to David and supported Solomon's claim. In 1 Kings 1:39 , it is recorded, "Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people proclaimed, 'Long live King Solomon!'"

Service under King David

Zadok's loyalty to David is further evidenced during Absalom's rebellion. When Absalom, another of David's sons, sought to overthrow his father, Zadok remained faithful to David. In 2 Samuel 15:24-29 , Zadok and the Levites brought the Ark of the Covenant to David as he fled Jerusalem. However, David instructed Zadok to return the Ark to the city, trusting in God's providence. Zadok's obedience and faithfulness were instrumental in maintaining the spiritual integrity of the nation during this crisis.

Role in the Temple

Under King Solomon, Zadok's priestly duties expanded with the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. Zadok's descendants, known as the "sons of Zadok," were granted the privilege of serving in the Temple due to their ancestor's unwavering loyalty and righteousness. Ezekiel 44:15 highlights this enduring legacy: "But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, will approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD."

Significance in Biblical History

Zadok's life and service exemplify the ideals of faithfulness, loyalty, and righteousness. His unwavering support for God's chosen leaders and his dedication to the priestly duties set a standard for the Levitical priesthood. The "sons of Zadok" continued to hold a special place in the religious life of Israel, serving as a testament to Zadok's enduring legacy. His account is a reminder of the importance of steadfastness in faith and the impact of righteous leadership in fulfilling God's purposes.
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Nehemiah 3:29
After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
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How Solomon Became the Ruler of Israel
... But Zadok the priest and Benaiah and Nathan the prophet, as well as Shimei
and Rei and David's famous warriors, were not on his side. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how solomon became the ruler.htm

David Appointing Solomon
... And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah
the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.33. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

The Story of Solomon and his Temple
... And Zadok, the priest, took from the Tabernacle the horn filled with holy oil, that
was used for anointing or pouring oil on the head of the priests when they ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of solomon and.htm

The History of David
... David, and tofore them he said that Solomon should be king, and ordained that he
should be set on his mule by his prophets Nathan, Zadok the priest and Benaiah ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

How Solomon, when He had Received the Kingdom Took Off His
... be captain of the whole army. The king also made Zadok to be alone the
high priest, in the room of Abiathar, whom he had removed. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how solomon when.htm

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... had for his assistants Joab the captain of the army, and Abiathar the high priest;
and the only persons that opposed him were Zadok the high priest, and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the ...
... by the fact just what was said by the word to Eli the priest through the prophet.
For there were afterwards priests of Aaron's race, such as Zadok and Abiathar ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of those things which.htm

How, when Absalom was Beaten, He was Caught in a Tree by his Hair ...
... 4. But now Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the high priest, went to Joab, and desired
he would permit him to go and tell David of this victory, and to bring him the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how when absalom.htm

Relation of the Pharisees to the Sadducees and Essenes, and to the ...
... Let us try to cast some fresh light upon both"only premising that the common
derivations of their name, whether from the high-priest Zadok, or from a Rabbi ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 15 relation of the.htm

The Historical Situation
... little. This secular priestly party was called the Sadducees, probably from
Zadok, the high-priest in Solomon's time. What theology ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

Resources
Questions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org

Old Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Who was Absalom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Zadok

Zadok: A Man of Valor

Zadok: A Priest

Zadok: A Returned Exile

Zadok: A Treasurer of the Temple

Zadok: Father of Jerusha

Zadok: Performs the Function of a High Priest After Abiathar Was Deposed by Solomon

Zadok: Removes the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem at the Time of Absalom's Usurpation

Zadok: Son of Ahitub

Zadok: Son of Baana

Zadok: Son of Meraioth

Zadok: Stands Aloof from Adonijah at the Time of his Attempted Usurpation

Zadok: The High Priest During the Time of David's Reign

Zadok: The High Priest During the Time of David's Reign: Summoned by David to Anoint Solomon to be King

Related Terms

Zadok's (1 Occurrence)

Abi'athar (28 Occurrences)

Ahi'tub (15 Occurrences)

Ahitub (16 Occurrences)

Ahimaaz (15 Occurrences)

Jehoi'ada (50 Occurrences)

Benai'ah (43 Occurrences)

Sadducees (14 Occurrences)

Ahim'elech (16 Occurrences)

Ahim'a-az (8 Occurrences)

Benaiah (44 Occurrences)

Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)

Abiathar (29 Occurrences)

Priests (451 Occurrences)

Ithamar (20 Occurrences)

Jerusha (2 Occurrences)

Meshul'lam (23 Occurrences)

Meraioth (7 Occurrences)

Baana (3 Occurrences)

Ahi'ma-az (7 Occurrences)

Secretary (34 Occurrences)

Shemai'ah (38 Occurrences)

Azari'ah (46 Occurrences)

Jehoiada (51 Occurrences)

Nathan (42 Occurrences)

Scribe (55 Occurrences)

Shallum (27 Occurrences)

Begot (119 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Meshullam (25 Occurrences)

Azariah (47 Occurrences)

Zadokites (1 Occurrence)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Immer (10 Occurrences)

Twenty-five (36 Occurrences)

Repairs (24 Occurrences)

Meshezabeel (3 Occurrences)

Meshezabel (3 Occurrences)

Merai'oth (7 Occurrences)

Meshez'abel (3 Occurrences)

Pelethites (7 Occurrences)

Pelethite (7 Occurrences)

Pel'ethites (7 Occurrences)

Cherethites (11 Occurrences)

Cher'ethites (10 Occurrences)

Cherethite (8 Occurrences)

Aaronites (2 Occurrences)

Amariah (14 Occurrences)

Ith'amar (20 Occurrences)

Serai'ah (18 Occurrences)

Seer (21 Occurrences)

Soever (24 Occurrences)

Ride (31 Occurrences)

Mule (9 Occurrences)

Palace (194 Occurrences)

Sixteen (24 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Approach (56 Occurrences)

Eleazar (74 Occurrences)

Seraiah (18 Occurrences)

Principal (28 Occurrences)

Distribution (32 Occurrences)

Levite (43 Occurrences)

Gihon (6 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Repaired (46 Occurrences)

Duties (46 Occurrences)

Reigning (57 Occurrences)

King's (375 Occurrences)

Anointed (132 Occurrences)

Levitical (19 Occurrences)

Trumpet (74 Occurrences)

Duty (90 Occurrences)

Jotham (26 Occurrences)

Elea'zar (72 Occurrences)

Office (64 Occurrences)

Relatives (132 Occurrences)

Zadok: A Man of Valor
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