מלכים א, פרק א׳, פסוק ל״ה

King David establishes the exact protocol for his successor's coronation, aiming to solidify absolute authority and eliminate any possibility of future division or dispute. Following the anointing at the Gihon spring, the royal procession is instructed to return to the palace [ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. The specific arrangement of this march is highly symbolic. The new leader is to walk ahead of the people, much like a king marching at the head of his army, while the nation respectfully follows behind him [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Upon arriving, the act of sitting upon the royal throne represents the complete inheritance of the kingdom's honor and status. This highly public ceremony is designed to broadcast to the entire nation that a new king has been chosen, thereby removing any opportunity for challenge or controversy [רלב״ג, אברבנאל].

The transfer of power is meant to be immediate. Rather than waiting until after David's passing, the new reign begins right away, while David is still alive [מלבי״ם]. To ensure this sudden transition is not mistaken for a son's rebellion against his reigning father, David makes it perfectly clear that he personally initiated and commanded the appointment [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, this decision is not merely a personal preference. David speaks as one foretelling the future, declaring that this leadership is a direct decree from God [אברבנאל].

Finally, the scope of the new king's rule is explicitly defined to prevent any compromise or splitting of the kingdom. There will be no scenario where a rival claimant takes control of certain tribes while the chosen heir rules the rest. Instead, the newly appointed king alone will maintain absolute rule over the entire, undivided nation of Israel and Judah [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].