1 Kings 14:8

Authorized King James Version

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָֽאֶקְרַ֤ע
H7167
And rent
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
#2
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
הַמַּמְלָכָה֙
H4467
the kingdom
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#4
מִבֵּ֣ית
H1004
from the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
דָוִ֗ד
H1732
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#6
וָֽאֶתְּנֶ֖הָ
H5414
and gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
לָ֑ךְ
H0
#8
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
הָיִ֜יתָ
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
כְּעַבְדִּ֣י
H5650
it thee and yet thou hast not been as my servant
a servant
#11
דָוִ֗ד
H1732
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#12
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
שָׁמַ֨ר
H8104
who kept
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#14
מִצְוֹתַ֜י
H4687
my commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#15
וַֽאֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
הָלַ֤ךְ
H1980
and who followed
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
אַֽחֲרַי֙
H310
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#18
בְּכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
לְבָב֔וֹ
H3824
me with all his heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#20
לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת
H6213
to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#21
רַ֖ק
H7535
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#22
הַיָּשָׁ֥ר
H3477
that only which was right
straight (literally or figuratively)
#23
בְּעֵינָֽי׃
H5869
in mine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of kingdom connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about kingdom, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Kings.

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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