1 Kings 1:34 - Exposition

And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet [Bähr sees in the fact that Nathan was associated with Zadok in the anointing, "the high significance David attributed to the prophetic office in Israel" But the prophets constantly performed this ceremony. Samuel anointed both Saul and David; Elisha anointed Jehu ( 2 Kings 9:1 ), and was commissioned to anoint Hazael ( 1 Kings 19:15 , 1 Kings 19:16 ) ] anoint him [the king, being a sacred personage, was set apart to the office, like the priest and prophet, by anointing. Saul was probably anointed twice ( 1 Samuel 10:1 ; 1 Samuel 11:15 . Cf. 1 Samuel 12:3 ). David was anointed thrice ( 1 Samuel 16:13 ; 2 Samuel 2:4 ; 2 Samuel 5:3 . Solomon was anointed twice (verse 39; 1 Chronicles 29:22 ). The Rabbins have always held that subsequent kings were not anointed, where the succession was regular. But this opinion must be taken quantum valet. It is true that we only read of the anointing of Jehu ( 2 Kings 9:6 ), Joash ( 2 Kings 11:12 ), and Jehoahaz ( 2 Kings 23:30 ), and that in these three cases the accession was irregular. But it is obvious that other kings may have been anointed as well, though the fact is not recorded. There would be no reason for recording it in ordinary cases It seems hardly likely, too, that any king would readily dispense with an ordinance which would so much strengthen his title] there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet [the sound of the trumpet would almost seem to have been a necessary accompaniment of coronations, or the proclamation of a new king. See 2 Samuel 15:10 ; 2 Kings 9:13 ; 2 Kings 11:14 ], and say, God cave king Solomon. [See on verse 25.]