So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
1 KINGS 1:38KJVWhat does 1 Kings 1:38 mean?
1 Kings 1:38 describes how Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites, took Solomon and had him ride on King David’s mule, bringing him to Gihon. This act publicly marked Solomon as the chosen successor to King David.
In this scene, key leaders and royal guards are carrying out David’s instructions to make Solomon king while David is still alive. The use of David’s own mule and the presence of respected figures like Zadok and Nathan showed everyone that Solomon’s claim to the throne was legitimate and officially supported.
The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 1:38
- מוּל (peirush: mule, transliteration: "pirda") — The mule was a royal animal, not just any beast of burden. Having Solomon ride King David’s mule was a clear public sign that Solomon was being given the king’s authority.
- גִּחוֹן (Gihon, transliteration: "Gichon") — Gihon was a spring just outside Jerusalem. Crowning Solomon there, in a public place, made the event visible and undeniable to the people.
Why 1 Kings 1:38 matters
- This verse clarifies that Solomon’s rise to the throne was not a secret or private event; it was done with the full support of the most trusted leaders and witnessed by the people.
- The mention of the Cherethites and Pelethites, elite royal guards, shows the seriousness and security around Solomon’s anointing, emphasizing that this was an official royal transition.
- This verse sets up the contrast with Adonijah, who tried to claim the throne for himself without David’s approval, highlighting the legitimacy of Solomon’s kingship.