And they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the next day: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. So they ate and drank before the LORD with great gladness on that day. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before the LORD to be the leader, and Zadok to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon. So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. (vv.21-25)
This was a special day, probably celebrated after the death of David when Solomon formally took the throne. These sacrifices were used to feed the people of Israel, and they ate and drank before the LORD in a great feast of communion with God and one another.
The statement, "They made Solomon the son of David king the second time," refers to the first time back in 1 Kings 1:38-39 when it was done hastily, suddenly, and in [an irregular manner], by reason of Adonijah’s sedition; but here we see it done properly. However whether it was before or after David’s death is questionable.
Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon. So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
This was true, but the wise reader understands that this was only because David had made this possible. The majesty of Solomon was really inherited from the work and wisdom and godliness and prayers of his father.
So David's reign comes to an end. Other kings over Israel or Judah had reigns longer, more secure, or more prosperous than David’s reign – but none were more glorious or godly. David remains Israel’s model king, pointing us to Jesus the Messiah, Israel’s greatest king.
The Truth: "This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham...." (Matthew 1-17)
