1Ki 1:33 | TNotes | STEP | 1:33 Riding the king’s own mule was a sign of prestige. In an ancient text from Mari, King Zimri-Lim was advised that royal protocol would be served by his riding in a donkey cart. David’s sons rode mules (2 Sam 13:29 ; 18:9 ). Similarly Zechariah predicts that Israel’s king will come “riding on a donkey’s colt” (Zech 9:9 ), a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus (Matt 21:4-7 ; John 12:14-15 ). With Solomon mounted on David’s royal mule, the people would know that Solomon’s anointing as king had David’s blessing. • The Gihon Spring , just outside Jerusalem’s eastern slopes, was the city’s major water source. In this common gathering place, Solomon’s anointing would be well known, yet not visible to Adonijah’s supporters at En-rogel.

b2 Sam 13:29►

dZech 9:9►

eMatt 21:4-7►

fJohn 12:14-15►

‏ 1 Kings 1:33

1:33 ^a Riding the king’s own mule was a sign of prestige. In an ancient text from Mari, King Zimri-Lim was advised that royal protocol would be served by his riding in a donkey cart. David’s sons rode mules (2 Sam 13:29 ^b; 18:9 ^c). Similarly Zechariah predicts that Israel’s king will come “riding on a donkey’s colt” (Zech 9:9 ^d), a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus (Matt 21:4-7 ^e; John 12:14-15 ^f). With Solomon mounted on David’s royal mule, the people would know that Solomon’s anointing as king had David’s blessing.

• The Gihon Spring, just outside Jerusalem’s eastern slopes, was the city’s major water source. In this common gathering place, Solomon’s anointing would be well known, yet not visible to Adonijah’s supporters at En-rogel.