“King David said, ‘There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint [Solomon] king over Israel…And the king bowed in worship on his bed and said, ‘Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.'” 1 Kings 1:34a, 47b-48

“David purposely called three specific men to escort the new king Solomon to his rightful place of authority.  Nathan was the primary prophet of the day.  Zadok was the priest, and Benaiah was a mighty warrior.  For the nation to be strong, all four areas of authority needed to be present: prophet, priest, warrior, and king.  Interestingly, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will ultimately fill every one of those positions.  All authority has been given to Christ! (Matt 28:18)  Under one Head, all nations will finally be unified.

Solomon is not described like Absalom and Adonijah, handsome and obvious choices for a would-be king.  He may not have been the natural choice in the eyes of men.  But he represented God’s divine mercy.  He was the embodiment of second chances.

I find enormous security in the consistency of God.  He is always merciful.

[Verse 47] records the last time God used the word ‘king’ in the Book of 1 Kings in reference to His beloved David.  David’s rule ended just as it officially began.  His stiffened body bowed before God on his final day as king with the same abandon he demonstrated when he danced through the streets of Jerusalem.

David’s actions were often contradictory, but one consistency he wove throughout his life and reign – he was a man of worship, a man after God’s own heart.”