1 Kings 1:33

Take with you the servants of your lord Judging from a similar order given by David (2 Samuel 20:6-7) these words imply a considerable body of armed men. For there it is said that the servants comprised Joab's men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men. Where Joab was of the other side it was needful to be prepared for fighting.

upon mine own mule To ride in the chariot or on the beast which carried the king was a mark of special distinction. So Pharaoh (Genesis 41:43) made Joseph -ride in the second chariot which he had." In like manner Jehonadab was taken (2 Kings 10:16) into Jehu's chariot, and Haman named as a special mark of honour that a man should be set on -the horse that the king rideth upon" (Esther 6:8).

bring him down to Gihon From the direction here given this place must have been in the lower ground near Jerusalem. This agrees with the mention made of it in 2 Chronicles 33:14, where it is said to be in the valley, by which word is probably meant the torrent bed of the brook Kedron, so that Gihon would be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat on the east of Jerusalem. Both parties chose a place where there was water (see 1 Kings 5:9) for the anointing. Does this indicate that there was some purification connected with the act? At a later period there was an -upper" and -lower" pool at Gihon (2 Chronicles 32:30).