Order of the Silver Trowel:
The Order of the Silver Trowel is a degree offered to elected Thrice Illustrious Masters, installed Illustrious Masters, or Past Illustrious Masters of Councils of Cryptic Masons or Royal and Select Masters. It is based on the biblical history of the anointing of Solomon as King of Israel to follow his father, David, to the throne of Israel. Charters for Grand Councils of The Order of the Silver Trowel are issued by the Grand Council of North Carolina as custodian of the degree. Please contact the General Grand Recorder for further information.
This is a side, or “chair” degree, and is conferred on present or past Illustrious Masters, usually during the time of the Grand Council Assembly. It also goes by the name of Thrice Illustrious Masters Order of the Silver Trowel. It consists of two sections, the candidate representing the young King Solomon in both sections.
In the first section, the candidate learns of the conspiracy by his half-brother Adonijah, to wrest the throne by cunning from Solomon. He also learns of his mother (Bathsheba) interceding with the aged and ailing King David to prevent this. After securing David’s approval, Solomon is symbolically conducted to Gihon by Benaiah where he is duly obligated, anointed and hailed as King by Nathan the prophet and Zadok, the High Priest.
In the second section, the newly anointed king is brought before his father David who, in his dying moments, instructs him in moral wisdom and counsels him to govern uprightly and to serve the Lord with all his strength.
Upon Solomon’s assent to all this, king David expires.
