מלכים א, פרק א׳, פסוק ל״ד

The official coronation of a king is a profound event that merges religious authority, prophetic approval, and public celebration. In this transfer of power, roles are clearly defined: the priest physically anoints and blesses the new monarch, while the prophet stands by to confirm that the appointment fulfills the exact will of God [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Normally, the son of an established king does not require a physical anointing. The original anointing of King David was intended to cover all his future descendants, much like the anointing of Aaron applied to all future priests. However, an exception was made for Solomon. Because of the fierce dispute and rebellion sparked by Adonijah, it was necessary to anoint Solomon to decisively strengthen his authority and eliminate any doubts about his right to rule [רלב״ג, רד״ק].

The ceremony utilized the original, sacred anointing oil crafted by Moses in the desert. Since this specific oil was limited in quantity and meant to be preserved for future generations, it was used sparingly. Instead of anointing the king's entire body, the oil was applied only to his head, specifically in the area where the royal crown rests [רלב״ג]. Another perspective suggests that the oil was carefully placed between the king's eyelashes, drawn in the shape of a crown [רש״י].

Following the sacred anointing, the blowing of the shofar served to broadcast the coronation, carrying the momentous news to the masses [מצודת דוד]. The people were then called to publicly declare their wish for the king to live long. This joyous shout is more than a simple wish for an extended life; it acts as a deep prayer for the king's prosperity and success, based on the understanding that a truly complete and meaningful life cannot exist without such success [רד״ק].