1 Kings 14:27

Authorized King James Version

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And king Rehoboam made in their stead brasen shields, and committed them unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the king's house.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ made H6213
וַיַּ֨עַשׂ made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 1 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ And king H4428
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ And king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 2 of 15
a king
רְחַבְעָם֙ Rehoboam H7346
רְחַבְעָם֙ Rehoboam
Strong's: H7346
Word #: 3 of 15
rechabam, an israelite king
תַּחְתָּ֔ם H8478
תַּחְתָּ֔ם
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 4 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
מָֽגִנֵּ֖י shields H4043
מָֽגִנֵּ֖י shields
Strong's: H4043
Word #: 5 of 15
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת in their stead brasen H5178
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת in their stead brasen
Strong's: H5178
Word #: 6 of 15
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וְהִפְקִ֗יד and committed H6485
וְהִפְקִ֗יד and committed
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 7 of 15
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַד֙ them unto the hands H3027
יַד֙ them unto the hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 9 of 15
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
שָׂרֵ֣י of the chief H8269
שָׂרֵ֣י of the chief
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 10 of 15
a head person (of any rank or class)
הָֽרָצִ֔ים of the guard H7323
הָֽרָצִ֔ים of the guard
Strong's: H7323
Word #: 11 of 15
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים which kept H8104
הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים which kept
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 12 of 15
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
פֶּ֖תַח the door H6607
פֶּ֖תַח the door
Strong's: H6607
Word #: 13 of 15
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
בֵּ֥ית house H1004
בֵּ֥ית house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 14 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ And king H4428
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ And king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 15 of 15
a king

Analysis & Commentary

And king Rehoboam made in their stead brasen shields, and committed them unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the king's house.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of jeroboam's judgment and rehoboam's reign, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

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

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