Fred H. Wight, in his book Manners and Customs of Bible Lands states: “The horse has usually symbolized times of war, but the donkey, times of peace. In Old Testament times this was especially true from the days of King Solomon.” So if a king rode a horse it symbolized that he was riding to war, but if he rode a donkey it symbolized peace.

Zechariah 9:9 states: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” This was fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday – Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28 – 44; and John 12:12-19.

Zechariah 9:10 states: “And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.” This prophecy will be fulfilled at His Second Coming when He sets up His kingdom on earth.