The Bible does not specifically mention the date of the coronation of the kings of Israel. We are able to deduce the date of Solomon’s coronation from the time that he began building the Temple, which was in the second month of the fourth year of his reign. (Second Chronicles 3:2) Another passage (First Kings 6:1) identifies that month as Ziv, which is the second month of the Hebrew religious year. This indicates that the chronology of the reign of Solomon was counted from the first month, Nisan. By this we may deduct that Solomon was crowned in Nisan, the first month of the religious year.

Jewish tradition tells us that the kings of Israel were crowned on Passover, the fifteenth day of Nisan. From the above, we deduce that Solomon was crowned in the month of Nisan, so it is likely that the Jewish tradition is correct.

The events of the last week of Jesus confirm the concept of the Passover Coronation. Zechariah prophesied about Jesus coming as their King:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He [is] just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9

This particular prophecy was fulfilled on what is known as Palm Sunday, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. (Luke 19:36-38)

When Jesus was crucified, Pilate the Roman governor, had a sign placed on the cross that read “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” I am told that in Hebrew the sign read:

Yeshua (Jesus)
Ha Nazarei (of Nazareth)
VMelech (King)
Ha Yehudim (of Jews)

You will notice that this title creates an acrostic – YHVH, the unspeakable name of God. This is why the chief priests went to Pilate asking him to change the sign. (John 19:21) On the cross where Jesus was dying at the instigation of these same chief priests, was the name of God, and the sign proclaiming Him to be King of the Jews.

The Roman soldiers also crowned Jesus King. (Matthew 27:29) Of course, they did this maliciously with a crown of thorns. But they unknowingly were playing into the Great Plan of God. It was fitting that Jesus be crowned with thorns because when Man sinned in the Garden of Eden, the Lord placed a curse on the earth. “Cursed is the ground for your sake . . . . . both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.” (Genesis 3:18) Thorns were part of the curse.

Jesus paid the price for our sins and will ultimately remove the curse. In place of the crown of thorns, He will have many fine crowns. (The Revelation 19:12) And He will be not just the King of the Jews, but He will be crowned King of kings, and Lord of lords. (The Revelation 19:16) And there will be no more curse. (The Revelation 22:3)

King Jesus was crowned on Passover. I look forward to His next coronation, maybe on a future Passover? Praise His name this Resurrection Sunday. Praise His name, always.