Zadok – Written Exposition

INTRODUCTION

The term ‘Zadok the Priest’ usually brings to mind a piece of music composed by George Frideric Handel in 1727 and first performed during the coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline of England on 11th October of that year. Since then this iconic anthem has been sung at the coronation of every British monarch (with the exception of Edward VIII who abdicated the throne before the date set for his coronation) and was therefore played during the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

‘Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King.
And all the people rejoiced, and said:
God save the King! Long live the King!
May the King live for ever,
Amen, Alleluia.’

The biblical passage 1 Kings 1:38-48 is the inspiration for those words of the anthem:

So, what does the Bible tell us about Zadok?

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ZADOK’S STORY

Zadok was a priest in the time of King David and King Solomon who ruled over the ancient kingdom of Israel; David being the second king and Solomon his son and successor. David is believed to have become king around 1010 BCE, while Solomon reigned c. 970 – 930 BCE. David established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and united the Israelite tribes into a single kingdom, Solomon was known for his wisdom, for building the first Temple in Jerusalem, and for expanding Israel’s trade and influence. Zadok is famous for anointing Solomon as king.

ZADOK’S GENEALOGY

In 1 Chronicles 6:3-8 and 6:50-53, Zadok is listed as a descendant of Eleazar, Aaron’s third son. In 1 Chronicles 24:3, Zadok is again listed as a descendant of Eleazar. This genealogy stretching back to Aaron demonstrates that Zadok was of the priestly family descended from Aaron (the brother of Moses). He was therefore a member of the Aaronic priesthood.

ZADOK’S LOYALTY TO KING DAVID

Almost nothing is known about Zadok’s early life but it seems that he may have belonged to a family of warrior priests. We learn that David was proclaimed king of Judah after the death of King Saul and established his capital in Hebron (2 Sam 2:1-4) where he reigned over Judah for seven and a half years before being acclaimed as king over all Israel (2 Sam 5:1-5). 1 Chronicles chapter 12 records that thousands from Israel defected to David at Hebron and in the census list of armed contingents that came over to David there is a reference (vv. 27-28) to ‘Zadok, a young man of valour.’

The young Zadok supported David’s cause and appears to have been rewarded for his loyalty. Once David firmly established the united monarchy he appointed Zadok and Abiathar as co-priests (2 Sam 8:17; 20:25) in Jerusalem; likely as keepers of the Ark of Covenant which had been transported there and housed in a tented shrine (2 Sam 6:1-17; 7:2; 1 Kgs 2:26; 1 Chron 16:39-40). In David’s administration Zadok also served as chief officer of the Aaronites (1 Chron 27:17) and he worked closely with another priestly colleague called Ahimelech in the organisation of the rotating courses of the priests for religious service (1 Chron 18:16; 24:3, 6, 31).

Later Zadok again aligned himself with the king when David’s son Absalom rebelled. Since it seemed likely that Absalom’s conspiracy to usurp the throne would succeed David decided to flee Jerusalem. Zadok, Abiathar and a group of Levites left the city with him, taking the Ark of the Covenant as well. David, however, convinced that Jerusalem was the place where the ark ought to be, asked them to take it back. The two priests did so and, along with their two sons, remained there as secret agents. They kept David informed of events in the city (2 Sam. 15:13-36; 17:15-22). After Absalom’s rebellion failed David sent Zadok and Abiathar as emissaries to the elders of Judah in order to win back their support and negotiate his return to Jerusalem. Their mission was successful (2 Sam 19:11-15).

ZADOK’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE ANOINTING OF KING SOLOMON

Zadok once again demonstrated his loyalty to King David in the matter of Adonijah’s failed rebellion. Adonijah was the fourth son of King David, born in Hebron (2 Sam 3:4). He attempted to seize the throne while his father was still alive. The events surrounding Adonijah’s revolt are described in 1 Kings 1:5-53. Since David had grown old and infirm, Adonijah saw himself as the heir apparent and arranged to hold a grand feast at which he intended to proclaim himself king, and to which he invited many of David’s officials and supporters; but did not include others whom he knew would be loyal to David. The latter included Solomon, Nathan the prophet and Zadok the priest. Adonijah had the support of Joab, the commander of David’s army, and Abiathar the priest (for Abiathar’s part in the insurrection Solomon later dismissed him from his position as priest, 1 Kgs 2:26-27).

The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, brought the matter of Adonijah to David’s attention. He immediately took action to ensure that Solomon would be his successor. David instructed Nathan the prophet and Zadok the priest to proclaim Solomon as king (1 Kgs 1:34) and ride him on David’s own mule to the Gihon spring, where he would be officially anointed king over Israel.

So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
And Zadok the priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. 1 Kgs 1:38-39

This was done, and the people rejoiced, while Adonijah’s followers fled in fear. Thus David settled the succession question by appointing Solomon co-regent. Father and son ruled together until David’s death. Solomon was later anointed as king a second time; along with him Zadok was anointed to be (chief) priest (1 Chron 29:22), possibly serving for a time at Solomon’s temple.

SOME LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF ZADOK

Be loyal to God and to your leaders. Zadok was loyal to God and to King David. Even when David made mistakes, Zadok remained faithful. This is a valuable lesson for us to learn, it is important to be loyal to those in authority, even when they make mistakes.

Be a person of action. Zadok was a man of action. He was willing to stand up for what he believed in, even when it was difficult to do so. We ought to be willing to stand up for what we believe in, even when that involves personal cost.

Be a person of integrity. Zadok was a man of integrity. He was honest, trustworthy. and was doubtless a great example to his children. David described Zadok’s son Ahimaaz as ‘a good man’ (2 Sam 18:27) – he may have been the same Ahimaaz who married Solomon’s daughter Basmath (1 Kgs 4:15). Another of Zadok’s sons (or perhaps a grandson? 1 Chron 6:8-9), Azariah, was one of the top officials in Solomon’s administration (1 Kgs 4:2).

Zadok was a priest who faithfully served God and the king. He made sound choices in life and was able to play an important role in the history of Israel. He is therefore an example for us to follow.

1. Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3. The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

INTRODUCTION AND SUPERSCRIPTION

These verses introduce the book of Ezekiel and provide historical background, as well as some information about the prophet Ezekiel and his message. They indicate when and where he was active; thus situating his visions within a specific historical and cultural context.

1:1 Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry is said to have begun ‘in the thirtieth year.’ The significance of the ‘thirtieth year’ is not explained but it is usually understood to mean that Ezekiel was thirty years of age at the time. The date given is the fifth day of the fourth month. This would have been the month of Tammuz and therefore the time of year was late June/early July.

The vision occurred while Ezekiel was among the exiles by the Chebar, which was most likely a canal near Babylon. It seems that many exiled Jews had been settled in this area. Ezekiel’s location by the canal underscores the fact that he was living among the exiles and sharing in their experiences and struggles.

1:2 Verse 2 provides more detailed historical context by specifying that it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s exile. This information dates Ezekiel’s inaugural vision (592 BCE) and places it within the larger context of the Babylonian exile.

King Jehoiachin (2 Kgs 24:6-16; 2 Chron 36:9-10, also known as Jeconiah (Jer 24:1; 27:20; 28:4; 29:2) and Coniah (Jer 22:24, 28; 37:1), was the son of King Jehoiakim of Judah and a grandson of King Josiah. Jehoiachin became king of Judah at the age of eighteen (2 Kgs 24:8). His short reign was marked by political instability and conflict with the Babylonians. According to the Chronicler he ‘did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord’ (2 Chron 36:9). Jeremiah 22:24-30 has the Lord directly addressing Jehoiachin, prophesying his captivity and exile in Babylon. The Lord also declared that Jehoiachin’s descendants would neither prosper nor sit on the throne of David, thus signifying the end of the dynasty.

In 597 BCE King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deported King Jehoiachin of Judah along with many of the leading citizens of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 24:15-16); including Ezekiel, who would have been twenty-five years of age at that time. Jehoiachin’s captivity in Babylon lasted for thirty-seven years. During that time, he was reportedly well-treated by the Babylonians and eventually released from captivity by King Evil-Merodach, who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar as ruler of Babylon. According to 2 Kings 25:27-30, Jehoiachin was then given a high position at the Babylonian court (new clothes, a daily allowance for the rest of his life, and allowed to dine at the king’s table).

Despite his short troubled reign and his captivity in Babylon, Jehoiachin was an important figure in the history of Judah. His deposition and deportation marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, a period of great spiritual and cultural significance for the Israelites. The Exile came to an end in 538 BCE.

During this difficult time Ezekiel, himself taken into captivity during Jehoiachin’s reign, provided spiritual guidance and hope to the exiles over a period of twenty years. The date of his inaugural vision in verse 2 is the first chronological marker in the book. The others are:

8:1 The vision of idols and abominations in the temple.

20:1 Ezekiel’s response to the elders.

24:1 The parable of a cooking pot

26:1 Threats against Tyre.

29:1 Prophecy against Egypt.

29:17 Desolation of Egypt.

30:20 Pharaoh’s defeat.

31:1 The cedar of Lebanon.

32:1 Lament over Pharoah..

32:17 Lament over Egypt.

33:21 News of the Fall of Jerusalem.

40:1 Vision of a new temple.

1:3 Verse 3 identifies Ezekiel as a member of the priestly class. This would suggest that his prophetic message was informed by his knowledge of Jewish ritual and tradition, which gave him religious authority to speak on behalf of God. Note that many respected commentators confidently assert that Ezekiel was a Zadokite priest. This they assume purely on the basis that Ezekiel speaks highly of the Zadokites in chapters 40-48, which contain his vision of how a future ideal temple might look and operate. In these chapters Ezekiel assigns a dominant role to the Zadokites (43:18-27; 44:15-16; 45:4; 46:19-24), presumably as a reward for remaining relatively (22:26) faithful (44:10-11, 15-16; 48:11) during the Exile. There is zero scriptural evidence for Ezekiel having a Zadokite heritage.

The reference to the “hand of the Lord” being upon him indicates that Ezekiel was divinely inspired and empowered to deliver God’s message to the exiles. The ‘land of the Chaldeans’ refers to the Neo-Babylonian empire ruled over by Nebopolassar (627-605 BCE) and his son Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BCE).

SUMMATION

The opening verses of Ezekiel set the stage for the prophetic message that follows. The fact that Ezekiel received his vision among the exiles by the Chebar canal underscores the fact that his message is directed to the Israelite community in exile. The political and social upheaval of the time is also reflected in the references to King Jehoiachin’s exile and the Babylonian conquest.

Ezekiel 1:1-3 offers spiritual lessons that are still relevant today:

First, we see that God is not limited by our circumstances. Even in the midst of exile and captivity, God can still reveal himself and speak to his people.

Second, we see that God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Ezekiel was a priest, but God called him to be a prophet and to deliver his message to the exiles.

Finally, we see that God’s word is powerful and authoritative. Ezekiel’s prophetic message was not his own, but rather it came directly from God.

As we read the book of Ezekiel, we are reminded that God is sovereign over all of history, and that his word has the power to transform our lives and to give us hope even in the midst of difficult situations.

EZEKIEL’S VISION OF THE GLORY OF YAHWEH (1:4-28)

AND HE SAID TO ME’ – EZEKIEL’S CALL TO BE A PROPHET – 2:1-3:15

EZEKIEL’S WATCHMAN ROLE: A PROPHETIC CALL TO RESPONSIBILITY- 3:16-27

Tag: Zadok

WHO WAS ZADOK THE PRIEST?

EZEKIEL 1:1-3 – INTRODUCTION AND SUPERSCRIPTION