1 Kings 11:34

Authorized King James Version

Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
אֶקַּ֥ח
H3947
Howbeit I will not take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#3
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה
H4467
the whole kingdom
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#6
מִיָּד֑וֹ
H3027
out of his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#7
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
נָשִׂ֣יא
H5387
him prince
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
#9
אֲשִׁתֶ֗נּוּ
H7896
but I will make
to place (in a very wide application)
#10
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
יְמֵ֣י
H3117
all the days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#12
חַיָּ֔יו
H2416
of his life
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#13
לְמַ֨עַן
H4616
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#14
דָּוִ֤ד
H1732
for David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#15
עַבְדִּי֙
H5650
my servant's
a servant
#16
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
בָּחַ֣רְתִּי
H977
sake whom I chose
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#18
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
שָׁמַ֖ר
H8104
because he kept
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#21
מִצְוֹתַ֥י
H4687
my commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#22
וְחֻקֹּתָֽי׃
H2708
and my statutes
a statute

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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