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 1:38KJV
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1 Kings 1:38 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“mule” Hebrew H6506 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 1:33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
  • 1 Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:

“Gihon” Hebrew H1521 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
  • 1 Kings 1:33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

“Pelethites” Hebrew H6432 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 2 Samuel 20:7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
  • 1 Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:

“Cherethites” Hebrew H3774 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Samuel 30:14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
  • 2 Samuel 20:7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.