A transition of power forces a new king to face a critical test of leadership, prompting his advisors to suggest a strategy of temporary submission to guarantee long-term absolute control. This advice stems from a clear grasp of the political and economic climate. The new king's authority is not yet secure, and the people remain bitter from the previous administration. Practically speaking, the new king does not have the massive building projects of his father, meaning his expenses are significantly lower. Therefore, he can actually afford to ease the burden on the nation and accommodate their requests [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The elders advise the king to act as a servant to the people for just one day. The primary approach among commentators is that this does not mean actual servitude. Rather, it is a call for submission in speech. He must yield to their demands and speak to them with the humility of a servant [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective views this as a highly calculated political tactic of tearing down in order to build up. According to this approach, the king should respond immediately, without delay, declaring that he is nothing more than a servant whose sole purpose is to fulfill their wishes. Such a shocking response would disarm the people, cloud their judgment, and keep them from rebelling or setting strict conditions on his rule [מלבי״ם].
To execute this plan, the elders instruct him to provide a clear response, speaking to the nation with good and proper words [רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. They emphasize that actual servitude is entirely unnecessary; simply offering words of comfort and appeasement is enough to win their loyalty [אלשיך]. In fact, he should go beyond merely granting their requests and promise them good things they did not even think to ask for [מצודת דוד].
Ultimately, the commentators agree that this single moment of compromise is the secret to total authority. If the king humbles himself now, the people will accept him as their ruler without demanding any conditions or guarantees. Once his position on the throne is fully cemented, the people will stand in awe of him, allowing him to rule over them forever and govern the kingdom exactly as he pleases [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].