1 Chronicles 29:22 Meaning: Why Was Solomon Anointed King Again?
and ate and drank before Yahweh on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before Yahweh to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.
And did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.
and did eat and drink before Jehovah on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto Jehovah to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.
And they eat and drink before Jehovah on that day with great joy, and cause Solomon son of David to reign a second time, and anoint him before Jehovah for leader, and Zadok for priest.
And they ate and drank before Jehovah on that day with great joy. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to Jehovah to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.
Meaning in one sentence
Discover why Solomon was anointed king a second time in 1 Chronicles 29:22, and what this joyful event reveals about God's rule over Israel.
Context
The book of 1 Chronicles traces God’s faithfulness to His people, centering on the temple and the Davidic line. By chapter 29, David is old and near death. He has gathered all the leaders of Israel, given them detailed plans for the temple, and watched the people give generously. After David’s prayer of praise, the assembly offers a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs as sacrifices. Then comes the joyful feast. In that same celebration, they crown Solomon king for a second time. The first anointing had been rushed during Adonijah’s rebellion. Now, with the whole nation united, they make it official and public. They also anoint Zadok as priest, settling the line of high priesthood. This is a day of gladness, order, and God’s chosen leadership taking its place.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words give this verse its weight. The word translated “second time” (shenit, H8145) means a repetition or another occurrence. It is not a correction of the first anointing but a fresh, public confirmation. The first time had been hurried; now the nation celebrates together.
“Anointed” (mashach, H4886) means to smear or rub with oil. In Israel, anointing set apart people and objects for God’s service, kings, priests, and even the tabernacle. The oil was a visible sign that the person belonged to God and was empowered by Him. It is not about ceremony alone; it is about being claimed by God for a purpose.
The title “prince” (nagid, H5057) is key. It means ruler or leader, but it never carries the sense of an independent monarch. A nagid rules under a higher king, Yahweh Himself. Solomon is not taking the throne on his own. He is being appointed as God’s deputy. That is why the throne is called “the throne of Yahweh” later in the chapter. The king is a steward, not a sovereign.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this second anointing as a sign of God’s orderly provision. Protestant commentators like Matthew Henry and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note that the first anointing was valid but private, while this second one involved the whole nation, confirming the transition peacefully. Wesley adds that just as Solomon was not yet reigning when anointed, the ceremony gave him a right to the throne after David’s death.
Catholic and Orthodox readers often see the anointing of both king and priest as foreshadowing Christ, who holds both offices perfectly. The event also affirms the theocratic principle: Israel’s king answers to God. The anointing of Zadok as priest establishes the high priesthood in his line, a fulfillment of God’s earlier promises. No matter the tradition, this verse is read as a joyful moment when God’s chosen leaders are publicly set apart with the people’s full support.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume the first anointing was illegitimate or that a rival was competing for the throne. In fact, the first anointing in 1 Kings 1 was valid, it stopped Adonijah’s rebellion and established Solomon as king. The second anointing was not a correction. It was a formal, public reaffirmation for the whole nation. The two events together show that God’s purposes are secure even when circumstances are messy. The second anointing brought unity and joy, not conflict.
Living This Out
This week, you may be in a season of transition, a new role at work, a change in your family, or a fresh step in your faith. This verse invites you to do more than accept the change quietly. It asks you to celebrate God’s provision openly. The people of Israel did not just acknowledge Solomon; they ate and drank with great gladness. They made the moment public and joyful. You can honor God’s leading by sharing your gratitude with others. If you are the one being set apart, accept the calling with humility. If you are part of the community, encourage those God has placed over you. Joy and order belong together in God’s kingdom.
Main takeaway: God establishes His chosen leaders with joyful public affirmation, reminding us that all authority comes from Him and is meant for His glory.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Solomon became king two times. The second time, everyone had a big party with food and drinks. They were very happy because God gave them a good king.
For ages 9, 12
The second anointing of Solomon was like a public confirmation. The first time was rushed because of trouble. Now that everything was peaceful, all the leaders came together to show that God had truly chosen Solomon. They also anointed Zadok as the high priest. This teaches us that God’s plans are not just private, He wants His people to celebrate and agree together.
Questions People Ask
Why was Solomon anointed king a second time?
The first anointing happened quickly during Adonijah’s rebellion to secure the throne. The second anointing, recorded here, was a public ceremony with all of Israel’s leaders present. It confirmed God’s choice in a peaceful, joyful setting and united the nation behind Solomon.
What does it mean that Solomon was anointed as “prince” rather than “king”?
The Hebrew word nagid means leader or ruler, but it stresses that he rules under Yahweh’s authority. Unlike an autonomous monarch, the king of Israel was God’s vicegerent. The title shows that God Himself is the true King, and Solomon sits on “the throne of the Lord.”
Who was Zadok, and why was he anointed as priest?
Zadok was a priest from the line of Eleazar who remained faithful to David during Absalom’s and Adonijah’s rebellions. His anointing as high priest here established his family as the rightful priestly line, replacing the house of Eli (through Abiathar) as God had promised.
Was David still alive at this second anointing?
Most commentators believe David was still alive or had just died. The verse follows the sacrificial feast, and some think David may have been present to bless the transition. In either case, the second anointing gave Solomon the public mandate to reign when David’s time ended.
What is the significance of eating and drinking “before Yahweh”?
Eating and drinking before Yahweh means the meal was a sacrificial feast, shared in the presence of God’s dwelling place (the tabernacle). It was an act of worship, fellowship, and thanksgiving. This joyful meal sealed the covenant community’s acceptance of God’s chosen leaders.
For pastors & researchers
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