Zadok

Zadok (meaning righteous) was the high priest during the reigns of David and Solomon and the founding figure of the Zadokite priestly line that served Jerusalem until the Maccabean period. He was of the line of Eleazar son of Aaron (2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 24:3). He is first mentioned joining David at Hebron with 22 commanders (1 Chronicles 12:27–28). During Absalom's rebellion, Zadok remained loyal and helped send intelligence to David through his son Ahimaaz (2 Samuel 15:24–29, 35–36; 17:15–21).

When Adonijah attempted to seize the throne before David's death, Zadok did not join the conspiracy; instead Nathan the prophet and Zadok anointed Solomon king by David's command (1 Kings 1:32–45). Solomon rewarded Zadok's loyalty by making him sole high priest, replacing Abiathar who had supported Adonijah (1 Kings 2:35). The Zadokite monopoly on the Jerusalem priesthood was so complete that Ezekiel's vision of the restored temple reserved the inner altar ministry exclusively for the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok (Ezekiel 44:15; 40:46).