1 Kings 11:38

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֗ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּשְׁמַע֮

H8085

And it shall be if thou wilt hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲצַוֶּךָ֒

H6680

unto all that I command

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֣

H1980

thee and wilt walk

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בִדְרָכַ֗י

H1870

in my ways

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#10

עָשָׂ֖ה

H6213

and do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#11

הַיָּשָׁ֤ר

H3477

that is right

straight (literally or figuratively)

#12

בְּעֵינַי֙

H5869

in my sight

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#13

לִשְׁמ֤וֹר

H8104

to keep

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

#14

חֻקּוֹתַי֙

H2708

my statutes

a statute

#15

וּמִצְוֹתַ֔י

H4687

and my commandments

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

#16

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#17

עָשָׂ֖ה

H6213

and do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#18

לְדָוִ֔ד

H1732

as David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#19

עַבְדִּ֑י

H5650

my servant

a servant

#20

וְהָיִ֣יתִי

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#21

עִמָּ֗ךְ

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#22

בָּנִ֣יתִי

H1129

as I built

to build (literally and figuratively)

#23

לְךָ֤

#24

בַיִת

H1004

house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#25

נֶֽאֱמָן֙

H539

thee a sure

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

#26

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#27

בָּנִ֣יתִי

H1129

as I built

to build (literally and figuratively)

#28

לְדָוִ֔ד

H1732

as David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#29

וְנָֽתַתִּ֥י

H5414

and will give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#30

לְךָ֖

#31

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#32

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 Kings chapter 11 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

Related Resources

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