1 Kings 1:33-35
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.
1:34 g Solomon’s anointing followed established protocol in being administered by a prophet (see 1 Sam 16:1-13 h).
• Priests also played significant roles in royal matters, and the populace would welcome Zadok’s blessing. David later confirmed Solomon’s kingship in a public ceremony (1 Chr 29:22 i).
1:35 j sit on my throne: Due to David’s age and infirmities, Solomon officiated publicly for about two years before his father died. Co-regency provided for orderly royal succession and became commonplace during Israel’s divided monarchy. It was also practiced in Egypt.
• The Hebrew term for ruler, used for various leadership positions, can have theological significance; the king was seen as both a spiritual and administrative leader of God’s people (see Deut 31:10-11 k; 1 Chr 28:4-6 l; Ps 89:3-4 m; Isa 55:3-4 n).
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