1 Kings 10:9
Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
Original Language Analysis
יְהִ֨י
H1961
יְהִ֨י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יְהוָ֤ה
be the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
be the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בָּר֔וּךְ
Blessed
H1288
בָּר֔וּךְ
Blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
4 of 21
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חָפֵ֣ץ
which delighted
H2654
חָפֵ֣ץ
which delighted
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
לְתִתְּךָ֖
in thee to set
H5414
לְתִתְּךָ֖
in thee to set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסֵּ֣א
thee on the throne
H3678
כִּסֵּ֣א
thee on the throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְהוָ֤ה
be the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
be the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְעֹלָ֔ם
for ever
H5769
לְעֹלָ֔ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וַיְשִֽׂימְךָ֣
therefore made
H7760
וַיְשִֽׂימְךָ֣
therefore made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
17 of 21
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
19 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
1 Kings 5:7And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.Psalms 72:2He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.2 Samuel 8:15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.Isaiah 42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.2 Chronicles 2:11Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.Psalms 22:8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.Psalms 18:19He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.1 Chronicles 17:22For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
- What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of queen of sheba and solomon's wealth, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.