"And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in his place, and put the priest Zadok in the place of Abiathar." — Solomon consolidates his power structure: Benaiah becomes the *military commander* in Joab's place (*'al-tsava tachatav*), and Zadok becomes the sole *priest* in Abiathar's place (*kohen tachat Avyatar*). The dual replacement of the two power centers—military and priesthood—establishes Solomon's complete control. Both new leaders (Benaiah and Zadok) are loyal to Solomon; both have been elevated at the expense of the old guard (Joab and Abiathar).

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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