1 Kings 2:4
That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
לְמַעַן֩
H4616
לְמַעַן֩
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
1 of 29
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יָקִ֨ים
may continue
H6965
יָקִ֨ים
may continue
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
2 of 29
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יְהוָ֜ה
That the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
That the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָר֗וֹ
his word
H1697
דְּבָר֗וֹ
his word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 29
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֣ר
which he spake
H1696
דִּבֶּ֣ר
which he spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 29
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עָלַי֮
H5921
עָלַי֮
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
10 of 29
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ
take heed
H8104
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ
take heed
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
11 of 29
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
בָנֶ֜יךָ
If thy children
H1121
בָנֶ֜יךָ
If thy children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דַּרְכָּ֗ם
to their way
H1870
דַּרְכָּ֗ם
to their way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
14 of 29
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לָלֶ֤כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֤כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 29
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנַי֙
before
H6440
לְפָנַי֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
16 of 29
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בֶּֽאֱמֶ֔ת
me in truth
H571
בֶּֽאֱמֶ֔ת
me in truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
17 of 29
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבָבָ֖ם
with all their heart
H3824
לְבָבָ֖ם
with all their heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
19 of 29
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַפְשָׁ֑ם
and with all their soul
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֑ם
and with all their soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
23 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּרֵ֤ת
there shall not fail
H3772
יִכָּרֵ֤ת
there shall not fail
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
24 of 29
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אִ֔ישׁ
he a man
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
he a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
26 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מֵעַ֖ל
H5921
מֵעַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
27 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
1 Kings 8:25Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.2 Kings 20:3I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.2 Samuel 7:25And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.Matthew 22:37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
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 passage describes events around 970 BCE during the transition from David to Solomon.
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 clear succession planning and communication in leadership transitions?
- What does Solomon's consolidation of power reveal about the relationship between justice, mercy, and political necessity?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of david's death and solomon's consolidation of power, within the book's focus on succession narrative and establishment of Solomon's reign.
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.