Chapter 5: Zadok and the British Throne

Each time a monarch is crowned in England, “Zadok the Priest,” a coronation anthem by George Frideric Handel, is sung. Why would this song be included?

Queen Elizabeth ii was crowned Queen of the British Commonwealth on June 2, 1953. Leading up to the coronation, one of Britain’s leading historians at the time, Lawrence Tanner, released a series of articles condensed from his book The History of the Coronation, which explained what the coronation is, how it developed through hundreds of years, and how it would be done for Queen Elizabeth in 1953. In this chapter, I will relate excerpts from Mr. Tanner’s material as it appeared in the Elyria, Ohio, Chronicle-Telegram.

Notice this statement from the May 21, 1953, installment: “The communion service after the opening ‘recognition’ ceremony changes the atmosphere of the coronation to one of devotion and deep religious significance. It is from this point that the sovereign, having dedicated herself to the service of her peoples, is solemnly consecrated, like a bishop, for her task. … Meanwhile the choir sings, as they have sung at this point in the ceremony since the earliest known English coronation service, the anthem ‘Zadok the Priest.’” A song about Zadok the priest has been sung every time a king or queen has been crowned since “the earliest known English coronation service.”

Why a song about Zadok? If we study into the Bible history of this priest, we will find more proof of where David’s throne is today. How many people who attended the queen’s coronation understood why a song was sung about Zadok the priest? Probably very few. Yet the meaning behind this song involves far more than the royalty in Britain.

The story about Zadok and his sons is very inspiring, especially for God’s very elect. Let’s look into this amazing story.

Zadok’s Support for David

Because of his rebellion against God, Saul lost the throne of Israel to David, who began his reign at Hebron. Saul reigned from 1051 to 1011 b.c. Many men came to assist David when he took control from Saul. Zadok the priest was among these courageous men (1 Chronicles 12:26-28).

When David’s son Absalom tried to overthrow his father (2 Samuel 15:13-16), Zadok and his family remained firm in their support for David. Even toward the end of David’s life, when many of his closest companions left to support another rebellious son, Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5-6), Zadok remained faithful (verse 8). David was getting old and many were beginning to doubt his leadership abilities. But not Zadok! Throughout David’s life, Zadok remained loyal because he knew God was behind David! He had the faith to recognize whom God was using.

Zadok Anoints Solomon King

The Prophet Nathan was the one who warned David of Adonijah’s revolt. “And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called” (1 Kings 1:23-26). Notice here that it is Nathan the prophet who informs David of Adonijah’s self-proclamation as king. Nathan also shows David who has remained loyal to him. Zadok the priest is at the top of the list.

Because of his unyielding loyalty, David bestowed upon Zadok great honor. “And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. As the Lord hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David” (verses 32-37). Here David instructed Nathan the prophet to make Solomon king. David gave the honor of anointing Solomon to Zadok.

“So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon” (verses 38-39). Notice that Zadok personally anointed Solomon. This was truly a great honor. Solomon was made king and all the people cheered, “God save king Solomon.”

British Royal Traditions

Let’s now look at how similar this ancient tradition is to British custom. Here is Mr. Tanner’s description of Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953: “At 7:33 a.m. in Westminster Abbey, where for 900 years British sovereigns have been crowned, the archbishop of Canterbury gently lowered the jeweled crown of St. Edward to her dark hair.

“Then with a great roar, the peers and peeresses and heads of state in the abbey cried: ‘God save the queen.’

“The guns of Hyde Park, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London boomed 41 times. As the sound echoed throughout London and was relayed around the world by radio, in Britain, the nations of the Commonwealth and the colonies, the same shout went up among many of her 600 million subjects: ‘God save the queen.’

“It was more than a prayer for the 27-year-old queen. It held the hope of austerity-ridden Britons that this—as under former reigning queens—would be an era of greatness, happiness and prosperity.

“There to see his mother crowned was 4-year-old Prince Charles. He was clad in a white satin party suit.

“At the other end of the span of empire was 78-year-old Winston Churchill, most illustrious of the mighty assemblage of statesmen, peers, soldiers and foreign guests. …

“From the vast multitude of more than 2 million crushed into London’s center echoed the shout: ‘God save the queen.’

“Thus was perpetuated in the person of this girl of 27 a monarchy reaching back through the centuries to foundations begun shortly after the Roman legions left this island. …

“To others it was a deeply moving religious moment, a queen anointed in holy oil and thereby sanctified in the eyes of God” (June 2, 1953).

Is it just coincidence that the coronation of Israel’s kings so closely parallels that of the kings and queens of Britain?

Here is what was printed on May 19 of the coronation year: “The actual place of coronation has a history of 900 years behind it, but the ceremonies and rites wherewith our sovereigns are consecrated have a history which is older still.”

The British people recognize that their coronation traditions go back centuries. But what they don’t realize is that their traditions actually go back much further than when the Roman legions left the island. They go back all the way to King David!

Over the centuries, there have been many attempts to remove the religious aspects surrounding the British coronation ceremonies. But the religious significance of the coronation has been preserved. Mr. Tanner continued, “It can at least be said that the service which will be used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth ii descends directly from the service used by Archbishop Dunstan at the coronation of King Edgar at Bath in 973. …

“The coronation of 1821 was held in the full time of the Romantic Movement, and George iv, with his extravagant ideas, succeeded in turning it into a magnificent pageant almost completely devoid of religious significance. …

“So little was the religious side of the coronation appreciated at this time that in 1838 the Times, in discussing the forthcoming coronation of Queen Victoria, announced that ‘the anointing is a part of the ceremony more recommended by antiquity than delicacy, and will probably be omitted altogether.’ But better counsels prevailed.”

At Solomon’s coronation, all the people cheered, “God save King Solomon!” When Elizabeth ii was crowned queen, all the people cheered, “God save the queen!” King Solomon was anointed with oil, in a religious ceremony, setting him apart in the eyes of God. So was Queen Elizabeth.

Today, the throne in England is very unstable. Is it because the British have forgotten God? Some in Britain might know that the royal family’s ancestry can be traced all the way back to King David. But it is not intellectually fashionable to proclaim that today.

God Save the Queen

The solutions to Britain’s problems can be found within the knowledge of the true ancestry of the British throne. God established David’s throne. The rich traditions surrounding the coronation point to a significance greater than most people realize today.

Mr. Tanner continued, “Furthermore the crowning was made the final and principal act of investiture, and it was immediately followed by a striking innovation when the Bible was solemnly presented to the sovereign as ‘the most valuable thing that this world affords’” (May 18, 1953). The Bible does contain much hidden treasure. It reveals the truth about the British throne and the solutions to Britain’s problems. Within the pages of the Bible lies the hope for Britain.

Let’s now look at a few highlights from the coronation ceremony. “The Bible, paten and chalice, and the regalia are placed on the high altar. … The queen, with her crimson robe and her cap of state removed, takes her seat in King Edward’s chair, wherein she is anointed …. The Lord Great Chamberlain presents the spurs and the queen is girt with the sword. … The queen seated in King Edward’s chair is crowned with Saint Edward’s crown by the archbishop of Canterbury. The Bible is presented to the queen. … The homage ended, the drums beat and the trumpets sound and all the people shout, crying out: ‘God save Queen Elizabeth! Long live Queen Elizabeth! May the queen live forever!’” (June 2, 1953).

Queen Elizabeth’s coronation was filled with deep religious significance. It certainly was meant to give great honor to God. Most of that honor of God is lost in Britain today.

Elizabeth marked her 40th anniversary as queen on June 2, 1993. Here is how she celebrated: “Queen Elizabeth ii planned a day at the races today with her husband and mother, but otherwise shied away from celebrating a milestone—her 40th year on the throne. The 67-year-old monarch, Prince Philip and the Queen Mother all were expected to attend the Derby horse race as they almost always do. In 1992 the queen picked the winner—one of few highs in a year of unprecedented royal scandal and public criticism” (Associated Press, June 2, 1993). Couldn’t there have been a better way for the queen to celebrate her 40th anniversary on the throne? It would have been the perfect day to give great honor to God. Why has there been so much scandal within the royal family? Could it be that the royal family has become more excited about a horse race than the throne of David—the very throne on which Jesus Christ will soon sit?

We need to recognize that much of the tradition surrounding the British throne comes directly from the book of 1 Kings. The book of 1 Kings is one of the books known as the former prophets—which means these books contain prophecy for today and have great meaning for us. Our job as Philadelphians is to teach the British and ultimately the whole world about the significance of David’s throne. Let’s now move back to the history of 1 Kings.

Solomon Reigns

The people of Israel made a very great noise when Solomon was crowned king. The outburst of cheering was so great that Adonijah and his rebellious company heard and felt the clamor. “And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them. And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?” (1 Kings 1:40-41).

Abiathar’s son, Jonathan, brought the news that David had appointed Solomon king. “And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king’s mule: And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard. And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom” (verses 42-46). Of course Abiathar and Joab would have rather heard different news.

King David was too ill to attend Solomon’s coronation. David’s loyal servants excitedly returned to tell him that Solomon was king. “And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. And also thus said the king, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it” (verses 47-48). The news was very exciting to David because God allowed him to see his successor to the throne.

Things with Adonijah were not so exciting. Adonijah’s feast of rebellion soon changed from one of joy to one of fear. “And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way” (verse 49). The loyalty of Joab and Abiathar to Adonijah was short-lived. Isn’t that the way it is with disloyal people? Hearing Jonathan’s report, they fled their rebellious coronation feast. Adonijah was left to himself.

In a desperate attempt to save his own life, Adonijah rushed to the temple. “And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword” (verses 50-51). Proclaiming himself king was an arrogant thing for Adonijah to do. All of his arrogance was now gone. Adonijah knew he was facing execution for his revolt. He sought mercy from his younger brother Solomon.

What was Solomon’s reply to his brother’s plea? “And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die” (verse 52). Solomon did not execute Adonijah at this time. He sent him to his house (verse 53).

Zadok Made Chief Priest

David had great hope for his son Solomon. Nearing death, he gave excellent advice to his son about ruling Israel. “Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel” (1 Kings 2:1-4).

David showed Solomon that the key to his success as king would be how well he kept the law of God, which included the Ten Commandments, the statutes and the judgments. David desperately wanted a son who would truly obey God.

After David’s death, Solomon began to deal with the rebels. He had Adonijah executed because he clung to his belief that he deserved the throne (verses 15, 19-25).

Solomon did show mercy toward Abiathar. “And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord; that he might fulfil the word of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh” (verses 26-27). Solomon showed him mercy because he had suffered many afflictions with David over the years. However, his disloyalty still deserved punishment. Solomon removed Abiathar from his office as high priest. This brought shame upon Abiathar and his family. Solomon also had Joab executed according to the last words of David (verses 5-6, 34).

What happened to Zadok? Again, the outcome for Zadok and the rest of the men loyal to David was far different.

“And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar” (verse 35). Zadok was put in Abiathar’s place as chief priest. What a fantastic reward for loyalty! What a fantastic honor!

Zadok’s undying loyalty is still being praised today. Look at the words of the song “Zadok the Priest,” sung at British coronations. The words are adapted from 1 Kings 1:38-40: Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king. And all the people rejoiced and said: God save the king! Long live the king! May the king live forever. Amen, alleluia, amen.

This song was composed in 1727. Of course, the history goes back to about 1000 b.c. Just the fact that this song about Zadok the priest is sung at a British coronation strongly indicates that the throne in England originated with David and Solomon.

Britain’s enemies throughout the ages would have exposed it if these scriptures had been used fraudulently.

This song should also teach us a vital lesson about loyalty to God, His government and His leadership. God uses Zadok and his sons as a symbol for all Philadelphians today. Our coronation as kings in the future will be far more glorious than even Solomon’s. We may even hear the song “Zadok the Priest”! We need to ask ourselves, are we intensely loyal to God, His government and His leadership?

Zadok in Prophecy

The book of Ezekiel was written for this end time. It carries important messages, primarily for God’s people today.

Did you know that the book of Ezekiel contains prophecies about the sons of Zadok?

Ezekiel 40 describes the future temple to be built in Jerusalem after Christ’s return. (Request a free copy of Ezekiel: The End-Time Prophet.) The sons of Zadok are assigned special rooms in that temple. “And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the Lord to minister unto him” (Ezekiel 40:46). Notice that the sons of Zadok have a special distinction among the other Levites. They are privileged to inhabit the chamber that faces the north.

Remember, God’s throne is in the northern heavens. These priests are uniquely special to God. They are the keepers of the charge of the altar, which means they are in charge of the ministry—a very exalted position. They are able to come near to Jesus Christ’s throne. This is a similar description of the reward promised the Philadelphians in Revelation 3:12 and 21.

Those of us who remain loyal to the end will be pillars in the temple and share Jesus Christ’s throne on the Earth. Ezekiel 43:19 shows that the Levites of the seed of Zadok will be in charge of the ordinances at that future temple. There is great heritage in Zadok. Since we know those in God’s Church will be priests in the resurrection (Revelation 5:10), isn’t it important that we fully understand what it means to be of the seed of Zadok?

Strangers in the Sanctuary

Ezekiel 44 contains a description of the future temple’s sanctuary. Verses 1-4 describe the sacredness of this holy place. No human being will be allowed to enter into it.

This chapter also describes the state of God’s sanctuary today. We know that the word sanctuary in prophecy refers to God’s end-time Church. There are terribly tragic events happening within God’s sanctuary today.

“And the Lord said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations” (verses 5-7).

Ezekiel was told to “mark well” what was happening in the sanctuary. God told Ezekiel He was very upset with what was happening there. God expected Ezekiel to deliver a message to the rebellious, referring to God’s ministry today. Remember, it was the priests who were in charge of the sanctuary.

These end-time, rebellious priests have allowed “strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh,” to enter God’s sanctuary. This means that God’s Church has become polluted in this end time. This also means that there was a time when it was not polluted. Has this happened in God’s Church today? Absolutely! Who has done this? These verses can only refer to the Laodicean ministry!

By letting strangers into the sanctuary, this rebellious house of Israel has also broken God’s covenant. The verses here are similar to Malachi 2.

God continues His indictment of these priests. “And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel” (verses 8-9). These priests are disloyal to God. They have not “kept the charge” of God’s holy things. What priests are doing this today? In Revelation 3:10, Christ says the Philadelphians have kept God’s Word.

Why were strangers let into the sanctuary? Why was God’s covenant broken? “And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them. Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord God, and they shall bear their iniquity” (Ezekiel 44:10-12). The Levites, or priests, went far from God.

In this end time, which ministers have gone far away from God? The Laodicean ministers. God showed Ezekiel that the Levites caused the people to “fall into iniquity.” This means there was a time when these ministers were leading the people into righteousness. Laodicean ministers are leading God’s people into iniquity. God has strong words against those end-time Laodicean ministers. They will pay the penalty for what they are doing.

Sons of Zadok

Amid that terrible falling away, a little group remains loyal. God commends these individuals because—even as everyone else turns away—they don’t look to human beings or follow the multitude.

Notice the title God gives them: “But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God” (Ezekiel 44:15). God showed Ezekiel that when the other Levites went astray, only the sons of Zadok remained loyal. Only the family of Zadok remained loyal through all of David’s rule! David experienced several trying rebellions. Zadok and his sons remained completely true to David’s throne.

In this end time, as the Levites went astray, only the sons of Zadok remained faithful to God. Can we begin to see the importance of this knowledge?

The book of Revelation shows that only the true Philadelphians remain loyal to God all the way to Christ’s return. Only the Philadelphians can be the sons of Zadok today. We have kept God’s Word. The pcg continues to teach about the U.S. and Britain in prophecy and David’s throne.

Here is what the present leader of the wcg wrote in a personal correspondence letter dated August 10, 1992, concerning the knowledge of Israel in end-time prophecy: “From a plan of salvation view: In light of the New Testament, and the centrality of Christ in God’s plan of salvation (as mentioned above) much of the relevance of our teaching on us&bip [The United States and Britain in Prophecy] is reduced to—so what!”

In light of Luke 1:32-33, isn’t this an incredibly dangerous statement to make? Jesus Christ is going to be given David’s throne. And He will rule over Israel forever! If we don’t teach the knowledge about the United States and Britain in prophecy, we may as well throw away one third of the Bible!

Only the pcg teaches that God’s government is from the top down. God’s government could never be democratic! Even though some Laodicean churches teach about the United States and Britain in prophecy, what good is that knowledge without the knowledge of the government that will rule from that throne? In reality, only we are remaining loyal to David’s throne. This makes us the sons of Zadok in spirit. We are fighting the same battle Zadok fought!

It is a great honor to be referred to as a son of Zadok. This is God’s evaluation, not any man’s. It does not matter what any Laodicean leader states about us. God is the judge of His people; judgment is on us today. God wants to know who is a son of Zadok. The sons of Zadok have a vital role to play in the future. God must measure and prepare us for that job now.

Our supreme test is to “keep” all that God revealed through Mr. Armstrong and remain loyal to the leadership God is using today. If we are true sons of Zadok, then we will remain loyal to God’s truth. We will know which men are being led by God.

Zadok was with David from the beginning. He knew David intimately. He was there when David sinned with Bathsheba. He saw Absalom’s revolt. He saw Adonijah’s revolt. Zadok could have said he had had enough of David. But he remained loyal. Zadok stood by David because he knew David sat on God’s throne. Zadok never betrayed God’s throne! We should be able to see clearly why the British royalty would give honor to such unusual loyalty.

We have also witnessed much in these end times. We saw Mr. Armstrong and the wcg go through many trials. We must examine ourselves. Do we have the intense loyalty that Zadok did? We must remain loyal to that truth and God’s government. God loves Zadok for that loyalty—so much, in fact, that He labels the faithful 5 percent in the last hour as “sons of Zadok”! That is the title of God’s highest nobility in the last era of God’s Church!

Sons of Zadok is just another way of saying the Philadelphians today. Like Zadok, these individuals stay with the key of David. They hold on to the understanding about David’s throne. They remain excited about the idea of ruling with Christ in Jerusalem forever! They love that vision and won’t let anyone take it from them! Even when 95 percent of God’s own people turn away, they remain loyal.

Those faithful sons of Zadok are going to rule from the highest mountain forever if they stay true to the key of David.

“They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge” (verse 16). These sons of Zadok will be headquarters personnel forever, being near to God, ministering to Him!

How could we possibly get wrapped up in material things in this dying world—or be ambitious for ourselves—if we keep this glorious vision in mind?

Look again at Ezekiel 40:46. This “altar” is referring to the ministry in the World Tomorrow—the sons of Zadok. We will come near to God, receive our instructions directly from Him, and carry those instructions out—directing operations from headquarters throughout the universe and for eternity!

Notice this command: “And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord God, a young bullock for a sin offering” (Ezekiel 43:19). In other words, God is instructing people to give His precious sons of Zadok anything they need to get their work done!

God shares His throne so its occupants can serve Him and serve mankind. The sons of Zadok understand that truth: Above all, we are here to serve. That is actually what makes us priests. That title is meaningless if we don’t understand that.