1Sa 2:35 | KingComments | STEP | After the announcements of judgment in the previous verses now follows a promise of the LORD. It is based on nothing but His own sovereign purpose. He Himself will appoint a faithful, reliable priest. “Faithful” contrasts sharply with the unfaithfulness of Eli and his sons. First , we can apply this to Samuel. Then it is also of application to Zadok, who will become a priest instead of Abiathar. Abiathar is the last descendant of Eli’s house. Solomon deprives him of the priesthood ( ). It is taken from Abiathar because he is in connection with Adonijah who has proclaimed himself king ( ), while Zadok does not participate in it ( ). Above all, it applies to the Lord Jesus as the King-Priest. The “enduring house” is the house of David ( ). The “anointed” often refers to the priest, but here it is the king according to God’s thoughts. The priest will walk before the anointed king. We see this in this book, where the emphasis is on the king after God’s heart. The priesthood is exercised in the presence of the kingship. The Lord Jesus is both. He is both King and Priest. In Him the kingship and priesthood unite completely. In Him it is as God purposed.

‏ 1 Samuel 2:35

God Will Raise Up a Faithful Priest

After the announcements of judgment in the previous verses now follows a promise of the LORD. It is based on nothing but His own sovereign purpose. He Himself will appoint a faithful, reliable priest. “Faithful” contrasts sharply with the unfaithfulness of Eli and his sons.

First , we can apply this to Samuel. Then it is also of application to Zadok, who will become a priest instead of Abiathar. Abiathar is the last descendant of Eli’s house. Solomon deprives him of the priesthood (1Kgs 2:26-27). It is taken from Abiathar because he is in connection with Adonijah who has proclaimed himself king (1Kgs 1:7), while Zadok does not participate in it (1Kgs 1:8). Above all, it applies to the Lord Jesus as the King-Priest.

The “enduring house” is the house of David (1Sam 25:28). The “anointed” often refers to the priest, but here it is the king according to God’s thoughts. The priest will walk before the anointed king. We see this in this book, where the emphasis is on the king after God’s heart. The priesthood is exercised in the presence of the kingship. The Lord Jesus is both. He is both King and Priest. In Him the kingship and priesthood unite completely. In Him it is as God purposed.