1 Kings 11:36

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

Original Language Analysis

וְלִבְנ֖וֹ And unto his son H1121
וְלִבְנ֖וֹ And unto his son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 1 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֶתֵּ֣ן will I give H5414
אֶתֵּ֣ן will I give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 2 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שֵֽׁבֶט tribe H7626
שֵֽׁבֶט tribe
Strong's: H7626
Word #: 3 of 20
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
אֶחָ֑ד one H259
אֶחָ֑ד one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 4 of 20
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לְמַ֣עַן H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 5 of 20
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
הֱיֽוֹת H1961
הֱיֽוֹת
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 6 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נִ֣יר may have a light H5216
נִ֣יר may have a light
Strong's: H5216
Word #: 7 of 20
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
לְדָֽוִיד that David H1732
לְדָֽוִיד that David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 8 of 20
david, the youngest son of jesse
עַ֠בְדִּי my servant H5650
עַ֠בְדִּי my servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 9 of 20
a servant
כָּֽל H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִ֤ים׀ alway H3117
הַיָּמִ֤ים׀ alway
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 11 of 20
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
לְפָנַי֙ before H6440
לְפָנַי֙ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 12 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם me in Jerusalem H3389
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם me in Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 13 of 20
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הָעִיר֙ the city H5892
הָעִיר֙ the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 14 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּחַ֣רְתִּי which I have chosen H977
בָּחַ֣רְתִּי which I have chosen
Strong's: H977
Word #: 16 of 20
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
לִ֔י H0
לִ֔י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 17 of 20
לָשׂ֥וּם me to put H7760
לָשׂ֥וּם me to put
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 18 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שְׁמִ֖י my ~ H8034
שְׁמִ֖י my ~
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 19 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָֽׁם׃ H8033
שָֽׁם׃
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 20 of 20
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis & Commentary

And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's apostasy and death, 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.

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources