I Chronicles 29:22 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 29:22 Commentary: Solomon's Second Anointing and Theocratic Kingship
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the meaning of Solomon's second anointing in 1 Chronicles 29:22, its theocratic significance, and the establishment of Zadok's priesthood.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The people feast joyfully before the Lord, then publicly confirm Solomon as king and Zadok as high priest, establishing a theocratic order.
- Key words: “Second time” (שֵׁנִית) refers back to the hurried first anointing; “prince” (נָגִיד) emphasizes vicegerent authority; “to Yahweh” (לַיהוָה) shows divine appointment.
- Main debate: Whether this second anointing took place on the same day as the feast or later (perhaps after David's death).
- Theological theme: The theocratic nature of kingship, the ruler is a steward under God, and the establishment of the priestly line.
- Best use: To teach about God's orderly provision for leadership transition and the integration of worship and governance.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
That day they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD. Then, for a second time, they designated David’s son Solomon as king, anointing him before the LORD as ruler, and Zadok as the priest.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
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.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
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.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And they ate, and drank before the Lord that day with great joy. And they anointed the second time Solomon the son of David. And they anointed him to the Lord to be prince, and Sadoc to be high priest.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y comieron y bebieron delante de Jehová aquel día con gran gozo; y dieron la segunda vez la investidura del reino á Salomón hijo de David, y ungiéronlo á Jehová por príncipe, y á Sadoc por sacerdote.
E comeram e beberam diante do SENHOR aquele dia com grande alegria; e deram a segunda vez a investidura do reino a Salomão filho de Davi, e ungiram-no ao SENHOR por príncipe, e a Zadoque por sacerdote.
Ils mangèrent et burent ce jour-là devant l’ Éternel avec une grande joie, ils proclamèrent roi pour la seconde fois Salomon, fils de David, ils l’ oignirent devant l’ Éternel comme chef, et ils oignirent Tsadok comme sacrificateur.
und aßen und tranken desselben Tages vor dem HERRN mit großen Freuden und machten zum zweitenmal Salomo, den Sohn Davids, zum König und salbten ihn dem HERRN zum Fürsten und Zadok zum Priester.
En zij aten en dronken deszelven daags voor het aangezicht des HEEREN met grote vreugde; en zij maakten Salomo, den zoon van David, ten andere male koning, en zij zalfden hem den HEERE tot voorganger, en Zadok tot priester.
E mangiarono e bevvero, in quel giorno, nel cospetto dell’Eterno, con gran gioia; proclamarono re, per la seconda volta, Salomone, figliuolo di Davide, e lo unsero, consacrandolo all’Eterno come conduttore del popolo, e unsero Tsadok come sacerdote.
I jedli a pili przed Panem dnia onego z weselem wielkiem, a postanowili powtóre królem Salomona, syna Dawidowego, i pomazali go Panu za księcia, a Sadoka za kapłana.
И ели и пили пред Господом в тот день, с великою радостью; и в другой раз воцарили Соломона, сына Давидова, и помазали пред Господом в правителя верховного, а Садока во священника.
他們奉耶和華 的命再 膏 大衛 的兒子 所羅門 作 王，又膏撒督 作祭司。
And with great joy they made a feast before the Lord that day. And they made Solomon, the son of David, king a second time, putting the holy oil on him to make him holy to the Lord as ruler, and on Zadok as priest.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 29:22
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse records the formal, public confirmation of Solomon's kingship and Zadok's priesthood. Adam Clarke notes that the first anointing happened “in a hurry and without pomp” during Adonijah's rebellion (1 Kings 1:39). Barnes adds that this second anointing was more deliberate, “in the face of all Israel.” Keil and Delitzsch emphasize that the phrase “to Yahweh” (לַיהוָה) shows Solomon was made king according to God's will, not merely human politics. The theocratic nature is key: Solomon rules as Yahweh's vicegerent. The anointing of Zadok alone, without Abiathar, signals the establishment of a single high priestly line, a move that later led to Abiathar's deposition (1 Kings 2:27). The great joy and sacrificial meal (vv.20, 21) show that this transition was embraced by the whole assembly.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Same-day anointing: The narrative sequence in vv.21–22 suggests the feast and anointing occurred on the same day; many commentators (Clarke, Keil & Delitzsch) read it this way.
- Later anointing (after David's death): Poole argues that the anointing may have taken place after David's death, noting that events at different times are sometimes combined in one verse (cf. Acts 7:15).
What is clear: The verse records a public, joyful confirmation of Solomon as the divinely chosen king and Zadok as the legitimate high priest, establishing the theocratic order of Israel.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Second anointing timing | All recognize this is a second, formal public confirmation of Solomon's kingship, distinct from the hurried first anointing during Adonijah's rebellion. | Some commentators (e.g., Poole) suggest it occurred after David's death; others (e.g., Keil & Delitzsch, Clarke) see it as part of the same day's events, with the narrative telescoping the feast and the anointing. |
| Meaning of 'prince' (nagid) | The term indicates Solomon's role as a ruler under divine authority, not an absolute sovereign. | Some traditions emphasize the theocratic limitation (the king is literally a vicegerent), while others see it as a formal title connoting the chosen leader of the people. |
| Zadok's priesthood | Zadok's anointing establishes him as high priest, effectively ending the dual priesthood of Zadok and Abiathar. | Whether this anointing was a deposition of Abiathar, a confirmation of an existing arrangement, or a prospective appointment that took effect later is debated. Wesley suggests it was a settlement of the reversion after Abiathar's death. |
| Theocratic monarchy vs. human dynasty | God chose Solomon and authorized his kingship; the monarchy is accountable to God. | Views differ on the extent to which the monarchy is a direct divine institution or a concession to human need. Chronicles depicts it as God's chosen arrangement, while other OT books (e.g., 1 Samuel 8) show ambivalence. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This scene concludes David's reign and the preparations for the temple. David had gathered all Israel's leaders at Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 28:1). After David's prayer and the people's generous offerings, they worshipped and sacrificed on a massive scale: a thousand bulls, rams, and lambs (v.21). The feast described in v.22 follows the sacrificial meal from the peace offerings, as prescribed in Deuteronomy 12:7, eating before the Lord with rejoicing.
The “second time” refers back to Solomon's first, hurried anointing in 1 Kings 1:39. At that moment, Adonijah had declared himself king, and David acted quickly to have Solomon anointed by Zadok and Nathan. But that event was private, limited to Jerusalem's inhabitants. Now, with the rebellion crushed and David's authority fully behind Solomon, a second, nationwide ceremony confirms the succession.
Crucially, this verse uses the language of theocracy. Solomon is anointed “to Yahweh” (לַיהוָה) as “ruler” (נָגִיד), a term that denotes a leader under divine authority, not an absolute monarch. Keil and Delitzsch stress that the preposition ל indicates “in accordance with His will.” David had declared that Solomon was chosen by God (1 Chronicles 28:5). Thus, the monarchy is a stewardship, not a human dynasty.
Zadok's anointing as priest is equally significant. Since the time of David, the priesthood had been split between Zadok (of Eleazar's line) and Abiathar (of Ithamar's line). Abiathar had supported Adonijah (1 Kings 1:7). By anointing Zadok alone, David effectively designates him as sole high priest, fulfilling the prophecy against Eli's house (1 Samuel 2:35). The Chronicler, as Cambridge notes, avoids recounting Abiathar's deposition directly, but the implication is clear.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants affecting the interpretation of this verse. The Masoretic Text is consistent across major manuscripts. The prepositional phrases (לַיהוָה, לְנָגִיד, לְכֹהֵן) appear without variation in the Hebrew tradition.
Reception History
In the history of interpretation, this verse has been read as a model for the orderly transfer of leadership within the people of God. The second anointing of Solomon was seen by some early Christian commentators as a type of Christ's twofold anointing: at his baptism and at his ascension. Jewish tradition emphasizes the theocratic principle: the king is anointed “to the Lord,” not for his own glory. The elevation of Zadok's priesthood has been used in debates about legitimate priestly succession, especially in the Second Temple period and by the Zadokite fragments among the Dead Sea Scrolls. In Reformation thought, the verse illustrated the proper relationship between civil and spiritual authority.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Joyful Worship Precedes Orderly Transition. The assembly ate and drank before the Lord with great gladness. This joy was not frivolous; it was rooted in the peace offerings and the people's willing giving. Before any king is crowned, the community worships together.
- The King Under God. Solomon is anointed “to Yahweh” as prince. He is not an independent monarch but a vicegerent. This theocratic principle, that Israel's king answers to God, sustains the entire narrative of Chronicles.
- The Priesthood Established. Zadok's appointment, alongside Solomon's, shows that spiritual and civil authority are distinct yet linked. The priest anoints the king; the king protects the priest. Both serve the Lord.
Five-point outline
- The Setting: A great sacrificial feast (v.20, 21).
- The Joy: Eating and drinking before Yahweh (v.22a).
- The Second Anointing: Solomon confirmed as king (v.22b).
- The Ruler: Anointed as nagid, prince under Yahweh (v.22c).
- The Priest: Zadok established as high priest (v.22d).
Illustration hooks
- A carefully planned succession in a family business: the first passing of the torch might be hurried; the second, public ceremony gives confidence to all.
- The difference between an emergency election and a formal inauguration: Solomon's first anointing was like a crisis vote; the second was a coronation.
- Two seats of authority: a mayor and a pastor working together in a city, each has a role, but both serve the same community.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did Solomon need to be anointed twice? Does this mean the first one was invalid?
- What does it mean that Solomon sat on “the throne of the Lord” (v.23)? Is God still the real king?
- Why does the Bible spend so much time on who is priest and who is king? Does it matter today?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows God's people celebrating a transition of leadership with joy. They had already given generously and worshipped. Now they feast, and then they confirm Solomon and Zadok. The order is striking: worship first, then politics.
Discussion questions
- What does the phrase “ate and drank before Yahweh” teach us about the nature of worship and celebration in ancient Israel?
- Read 1 Kings 1:32, 40. How was Solomon's first anointing different from the one in Chronicles? What does the “second time” suggest about God's timing?
- Solomon is anointed “to Yahweh” as “prince” (nagid). Why is this title used instead of “king”? What does it reveal about Israel's view of monarchy?
- Zadok is anointed as priest alongside Solomon. How does this pairing of king and priest reflect the ideal of leadership under God?
- How does the great joy in this chapter connect to the generous giving in verses 1, 9? What does joy have to do with sacrifice?
- In what ways does this passage challenge or affirm how we handle leadership transitions in our own faith communities?
- The Chronicler focuses on the positive side of Solomon's ascension, omitting the violence of Adonijah's revolt. Why might he choose to highlight the unity and joy instead?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 24:11 | He didn’t lay his hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank. |
| Deuteronomy 12:7 | There you shall eat before Yahweh your God, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, in which Yahweh your God has blessed you. |
| Deuteronomy 12:11 | then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh. |
| Deuteronomy 12:12 | You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God—you, and your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you. |
| Deuteronomy 16:14 | You shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates. |
| Deuteronomy 16:17 | Every man shall give as he is able, according to Yahweh your God’s blessing which he has given you. |
| I Kings 1:31 | Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!” |
| I Kings 1:34 | Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the trumpet, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that Solomon was anointed king twice, the first time in haste during Adonijah's rebellion and later with full ceremony after David's death. He emphasizes that Solomon ruled as Jehovah's deputy, not as an independent monarch, sitting on the Lord's throne.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that Solomon's first coronation was rushed and largely private during Adonijah's rebellion, so David formally invested him a second time publicly before all Israel. Similarly, Zadok alone was publicly appointed high priest, while Abiathar's priestly role after his rebellion remains doubtful.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Chronicler records Zadok as the sole high priest under Solomon but deliberately omits the story that led to it—the removal of Abiathar. He knows the full history but avoids anything that casts the high priesthood in a negative light.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And they did eate and drinke before the Lord the same day with great ioy, and they made Salomon the sonne of Dauid King the seconde time, and anoynted him prince before the Lord, and Zadok for the hie Priest.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Solomon's second anointing was a broader, more formal coronation than the first. The first occurred during Adonijah's rebellion and involved only Jerusalem's residents, but this second ceremony included all the leading figures of the land. He also observes that Zadok was designated high priest but did not serve until after David's death.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB distinguishes two possible meanings for "before the Lord" — either close to the ark or, more likely, a devout attitude while sharing a sacrificial meal. He also notes that Solomon was made king a second time because the first was a rushed response to Adonijah's conspiracy, and that Zadok's elevation as sole high priest was publicly approved after Abiathar's disgrace.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stresses that the second anointing of Solomon was “to the Lord,” meaning it confirmed God’s already-declared choice, not merely a ceremony before Him. They also note the careful distinction between burnt offerings and thank offerings, and that Zadok’s appointment as high priest had the consent of the nation’s leaders.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange observes that the Chronicler deliberately omits David's youthful struggles, sins, and sufferings, presenting only the glorious king in his prime. His aim is to paint David as a type of Christ, collecting every bright trait to show the theocratic kingdom at its zenith.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights that David's prayer demonstrates the true spirit
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley argues that the anointing of Zadok and Solomon did not instantly put them into office. It was a ceremonial act that settled their right to succeed after the current officeholders died. Abiathar continued serving as high priest until Solomon later removed him from the position.