1 Kings 1:39

39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon.[a] Then they blew the ram's horn, and all the people proclaimed, "Long live King Solomon!"

1 Kings 1:39 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 1:39

And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the
tabernacle
Not out of the tabernacle of Moses, for that was at Gibeon; see ( 1 Chronicles 21:29 ) ; and if the oil had been there, it would have been too far to have fetched it, since haste was now required; but this was taken out of the tabernacle David had built for the ark, ( 2 Samuel 6:17 ) ; where the ark was, and before which the pot of oil was; so Jarchi; but Kimchi indeed says, that though it was at this time at Gibeon, Zadok went thither, or sent thither to fetch it; and though it is said, the pot of oil was set before the ark, this was when the ark was in the tabernacle; but when they took it out from thence at the war with the Philistines, that and the pot of manna were left in the tabernacle; and they took nothing but the ark; but if they brought the pot afterwards, and put it before the ark in Jerusalem, then it may be understood of the tabernacle David pitched for it; but that he disapproves of. Here Zadok is only said to take the oil, and anoint with it; which he did either as the deputy of the high priest, or he was made use of because the high priest was on the side of Adonijah:

and anointed Solomon;
whether it was by pouring it on his head, as Saul was anointed, ( 1 Samuel 10:1 ) ; or, as the Jews say F6, by putting it round about his head in the form of a crown, and then between his eyebrows, is not very material; and they also say F7, that it is not usual to anoint the son of a king that has been anointed; and that the reason of the anointing of Solomon was, because of the sedition of his brother Adonijah, and to confirm the kingdom to him; this anointing was an emblem of the gifts, graces, and virtues, necessary to qualify a king for the discharge of his office:

and they blew the trumpet;
and proclaimed him king:

and all the people said, God save King Solomon;
wished him long life and happiness, and gave him a general huzza or shouting.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 T. Bab. Ceritot, fol. 5. 2.
F7 Ibid.

1 Kings 1:39 In-Context

37 Just as the Lord was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David."
38 Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down, had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and took him to Gihon.
39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram's horn, and all the people proclaimed, "Long live King Solomon!"
40 All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth split open from the sound.
41 Adonijah and all the invited guests who were with him heard [the noise] as they finished eating. Joab heard the sound of the ram's horn and said, "Why is the town in such an uproar?"

Footnotes 1

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