| − | To '''abdicate''' means to give up power, especially the power of king or queen over the people. It is often used in reference to [[Edward VIII]], who abdicated the throne of [[England]] to marry an [[American]] divorcee. | + | To '''abdicate''' means to give up power, especially the power of king or queen over the people. It is often used in reference to [[Edward VIII]], who abdicated the throne of [[England]] to marry an [[American]] divorcee. In the [[Old Testament]] [[David|King David]] secured the succession of his son [[Solomon]] to the throne by his own abdication, commanding that Solomon be anointed ruler over Israel and over Judah, and ''[[ipso facto]]'' officially lord and ruler over himself as well (1 Kings 1:5-48; Psalm 110:1). |