The process of x-ray absorption and emission in solids is considered as an x-ray resonant inelastic scattering process. This coherent inelastic scattering picture has recently been used to interpret the excitation energy dependence in the x-ray emission spectra excited with synchrotron radiation. It also suggests that with near threshold excitation, the x-ray emission spectra should be spatially anisotropic. We consider the validity and implication of this approach and factors affecting the spatial and temporal coherence in the scattering process. Taking into account the relaxation effects such as the electron-electron and the electron-phonon interactions, a significant fraction of the total emission intensity may be attributed to the coherent scattering. This picture of the x-ray absorption and emission process opens up the possibility for momentum-resolved x-ray absorption and emission measurements that can be used for band-structure determination. In addition, it has important implications on the fluorescence yield method of obtaining the absorption spectra.