Useful Bible Studies > 1 Kings Commentary > chapter 1
At the time of David, Jerusalem was a very small city, with a wall that completely surrounded it. The distance from north to south was only about 300 metres (325 yards). Here, several thousand people lived, including most of Israel’s best soldiers (see Psalm 122:3).
Benaiah was in personal command of many of those soldiers: the groups called Kerethites and Pelethites (2 Samuel 20:23). So, it only took a few minutes for him to organise an impressive procession of several hundred soldiers for Solomon. Zadok the chief priest, and Nathan the prophet (holy man) joined that great procession. As they went through the city, all the inhabitants of the city came out to see it. It was a very joyful occasion. Solomon was riding on the king’s own mule (a strong animal like a horse). Everyone was very excited.
The procession stopped at the holy tent where Israel’s most sacred object, called the ark, was (1 Chronicles 16:1-6). There, Zadok the chief priest entered the tent to obtain the oil that he needed for the sacred ceremony. Then, the procession continued down into the valley on the east side of Jerusalem. There, close to the city’s wall, was the spring (source of water) called Gihon. Between the pools there, all the people from Jerusalem gathered. So, there was a crowd of several thousand people who were all witnesses of this great event. The most important moment in that ceremony was when Zadok poured the oil on Solomon’s head. At that moment, Solomon became king.
Next part: The anointing of Solomon (1 Kings 1:39)
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