1 Chronicles 29:20-25

How does the assembly join worship with recognition of Solomon’s rule?

Berean Standard Bible

20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” So the whole assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers. They bowed down and paid homage to the LORD and to the king. 21 The next day they offered sacrifices and presented burnt offerings to the LORD: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, along with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 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. 23 So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the officials and mighty men, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 25 The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been bestowed on any king in Israel before him.

What is the context?

The assembly blesses the Lord, bows, and pays homage to the Lord and to the king. Sacrifices and joyful eating and drinking follow.

Solomon is designated king for a second time and anointed before the Lord, with Zadok as priest. The account presents the officials, warriors, and David’s sons giving allegiance to Solomon.

Solomon’s throne is called the Lord’s throne, locating his royal authority under God. It does not mean Solomon has become God or that the homage to the king has the same meaning as worship of the Lord.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley distinguishes religious worship of God from civil honor to the king. The USCCB note relates the second designation to the earlier notice in 23:1, while 1 Kings 1 gives the contested succession surrounding Solomon’s anointing. Chronicles’ public unity should not be used to deny those conflicts or to establish every detail of Wesley’s proposed chronology of Zadok’s office.

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