The Oil of Kingship

XVI
The Oil of Kingship

MOUNT MORIAH was ablaze with color and the Temple sparkled in the Jerusalem sunlight as Israel made ready the oil of kingship for Ibna Hakim. The sounds of the large horn and flute and pipes filled the air along with the loud thumps of the drums as the city resounded with cries of joy.
Solomon's officers brought the young man into the Holy of Holies and he laid hold onto the horns of the altar and sovereignity was given to him by two priests, Zadok and Benaiah, who was also the army commander. They anointed him with the holy oil of the ointment of kingship.
After the brief ceremony, in which the oil flowed down over Ibna Hakim's face and his robes, he went out of the Temple and was presented to the people with the throne name of David II, after his illustrious grandfather,
He then was placed on King Solomon's mule and they led throughout the city and the people yelled: "We have appointed you from this moment" and "Long live the royal father."
One elder rushed up to him and said, "It's right that your dominion of Ethiopia will be from the Nile River to the stting sun, from Shoa to the east of India. And the Lord God of Israel will be a guide to you and the Tabernacle of the Law of God will be with all you look on and all your seed after you. You will judge many nations and none will judge you."
Then Solomon blessed him with these words: "The blessing of heaven and earth will be your blessing.," and all the people of Israel agreed with a hearty "Amen."
Then his father told Zadok, "Make him know and tell him the judgment and decrees of God which he should observe in Ethiopia. In a lengthy speech, the priests then outlined the curses and blessings of the Almighty.