1 Kings Chapter 14 · Verse 28
And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֛י
H1961
וַיְהִ֛י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִדֵּי
And it was so when
H1767
מִדֵּי
And it was so when
Strong's:
H1767
Word #:
2 of 12
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
בֵּ֣ית
into the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
into the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 12
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִשָּׂאוּם֙
bare
H5375
יִשָּׂאוּם֙
bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
7 of 12
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הָֽרָצִֽים׃
into the guard
H7323
הָֽרָצִֽים׃
into the guard
Strong's:
H7323
Word #:
8 of 12
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
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
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
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.