Ff – Solomon Acknowledged as King a Third Time First Chronicles 29:21-25

Solomon Acknowledged as King
a Third Time
First Chronicles 29:21-25

Solomon Acknowledged as king a third time DIG: The chronicler says volumes by what is omitted here. What signs of joy and sadness do you see? Submission and aspiration? Pride and humility? Blessing and bounty? What signs of national unity and total support does the chronicler portray here? Why has he neglected Adonijah’s rebellion, which led aides and sons of the king to openly rebel (First Kings 1:9, 19 and 25)? Is that why the chronicler refers to a second time? If so, when was the “first time?” What future unity between the royal and priestly offices is anticipated here (Zechariah 4:14 and 6:13; Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7)?

REFLECT: How could Isra’el’s economy afford these nationwide celebrations, involving thousands of animals and oil sacrifices, plus tons of food and drink for everyone? What objections might such extravagant offerings provoke today where you live? In comparison, how did you celebrate the inauguration or coronation of your most recent national leader? How about for a new boss, spouse or child? During these types of celebrations, do you “get into the swing of things?” Or fade into the shadows? Why?

970 BC

The next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and presented burnt offerings to Him (see the commentary on Exodus Fe – The Burnt Offering): a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their fellowship offerings (see the commentary on Exodus Fg – The Peace Offering), and other sacrifices in abundance for all Isra’el. A part of each sacrifice was used for a fellowship meal (First Chronicles 29:21). It was a joyous occasion and climaxed the coronation of Solomon.

Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king for the third time (see below), anointing him before ADONAI to be ruler and Zadok to be priest (First Chronicles 29:22). This suggests that Abiathar had already been set aside, in conjunction with Adonijah’s attempted coup (to see link click En – Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King). According to First Kings 2:35, Solomon appointed Zadok in place of Abiathar whom he had deposed. So Solomon ascended to the throne of the LORD and sat as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him (First Chronicles 29:23). All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon (First Chronicles 29:24). It was very important that the representatives of all Isra’el agree that Solomon was God’s appointed king; otherwise, he could never have led them in the building of the Temple.⁵⁴⁶

Both David and Solomon had a three-step process to the throne. Samuel first anointed David (see Ah – Samuel Anoints David) privately at a family gathering; then David was anointed king over Judah with a much larger group at Hebron (see Ce – David Anointed King Over Y’hudah); and finally David was anointed king over all Isra’el (see Cm – David Anointed King Over All Isra’el).

Solomon’s ascension to the throne was also a three-step process. Once again, one of God’s prophets (this time Nathan), privately acknowledged that one of David’s own sons, Solomon, would be established on the throne after him (see Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David); then Solomon was anointed king with a much larger group (see Er – The Levites), and finally Solomon was anointed king over all Isra’el with a huge coronation and fellowship meal. Then the LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Isra’el and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Isra’el ever had before (First Chronicles 29:21-25).