1 Kings Chapter 3 · Verse 2

Authorized King James Version

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Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.

Original Language Analysis

רַ֣ק H7535
רַ֣ק
Strong's: H7535
Word #: 1 of 13
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
הָעָ֔ם Only the people H5971
הָעָ֔ם Only the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 2 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מְזַבְּחִ֖ים sacrificed H2076
מְזַבְּחִ֖ים sacrificed
Strong's: H2076
Word #: 3 of 13
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
בַּבָּמ֑וֹת in high places H1116
בַּבָּמ֑וֹת in high places
Strong's: H1116
Word #: 4 of 13
an elevation
כִּ֠י H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִבְנָ֥ה built H1129
נִבְנָ֥ה built
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 7 of 13
to build (literally and figuratively)
בַ֙יִת֙ because there was no house H1004
בַ֙יִת֙ because there was no house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 8 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְשֵׁ֣ם unto the ~ H8034
לְשֵׁ֣ם unto the ~
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 9 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַ֖ד H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 11 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיָּמִ֥ים until those days H3117
הַיָּמִ֥ים until those days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הָהֵֽם׃ H1992
הָהֵֽם׃
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 13 of 13
they (only used when emphatic)

Analysis & Commentary

Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's wisdom and the famous judgment, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us'). The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).

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. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

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