Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 1:32-40
We have here the effectual care David took both to secure Solomon's right and to preserve the public peace, by crushing Adonijah's project in the bud. Observe,
I. The express orders he gave for the proclaiming of Solomon. The persons he entrusted with this great affair were Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah, men of power and interest whom David had always reposed a confidence in and found faithful to him, and whom Adonijah had passed by in his invitation, Kg1 1:10. David orders them forthwith, with all possible solemnity, to proclaim Solomon. They must take with them the servants of their lord, the lifeguards, and all the servants of the household. They must set Solomon on the mule the king used to…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 1:35
Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne--The public recognition of the successor to the throne, during the old king's lifetime, is accordant with the customs of the East.
Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 1:36
Sit upon my throne - The matter of conducting a business of this kind seems to have been this:
1. The king elect was placed on the mule of his predecessor, and caused to ride abroad to one of the public wells, or to a river where there was the greatest concourse of people, that they might see who he was that was appointed. Solomon was here taken to the river Gihon, in order to be anointed; the continual stream or constantly running fountain, denoting the perpetuity of the kingdom.
2. The priest and the prophet anointed him in the name of the Lord; and thereby signified that he should be endued with all the kingly virtues; that he should reign by, under, and for the Lord.
3. The trumpet was t…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Gill on 1 Kings 1:36
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king,.... In the name of the rest:
and said, Amen; they all assented to it, and expressed their satisfaction in it:
the Lord God of my lord the king say so too; let it appear, by the prosperity and success that shall by divine Providence attend the new king, that this is according to the will of God.
