1 Kings 3:6
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Original Language Analysis
עָשִׂ֜יתָ
Thou hast shewed
H6213
עָשִׂ֜יתָ
Thou hast shewed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 32
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 32
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אָבִי֮
my father
H1
אָבִי֮
my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
8 of 32
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הַחֶ֤סֶד
kindness
H2617
הַחֶ֤סֶד
kindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
9 of 32
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
הַגָּדוֹל֙
for him this great
H1419
הַגָּדוֹל֙
for him this great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
10 of 32
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֨ךְ
according as he walked
H1980
הָלַ֨ךְ
according as he walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
12 of 32
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנֶ֜יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֜יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
13 of 32
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בֶּֽאֱמֶ֧ת
thee in truth
H571
בֶּֽאֱמֶ֧ת
thee in truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
14 of 32
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
וּבִצְדָקָ֛ה
and in righteousness
H6666
וּבִצְדָקָ֛ה
and in righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
15 of 32
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
עִמָּ֑ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
18 of 32
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַתִּשְׁמָר
with thee and thou hast kept
H8104
וַתִּשְׁמָר
with thee and thou hast kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
19 of 32
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֶ֤סֶד
kindness
H2617
הַחֶ֤סֶד
kindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
22 of 32
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
הַגָּדוֹל֙
for him this great
H1419
הַגָּדוֹל֙
for him this great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
23 of 32
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
וַתִּתֶּן
that thou hast given
H5414
וַתִּתֶּן
that thou hast given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
25 of 32
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בֵ֛ן
him a son
H1121
בֵ֛ן
him a son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
27 of 32
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֹשֵׁ֥ב
to sit
H3427
יֹשֵׁ֥ב
to sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
28 of 32
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
29 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסְא֖וֹ
on his throne
H3678
כִּסְא֖וֹ
on his throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
30 of 32
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
Cross References
1 Kings 9:4And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:1 Kings 1:48And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.2 Corinthians 9:11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.1 Kings 2:4That 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.Psalms 15:2He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.Psalms 116:7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.Psalms 119:17Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.2 Corinthians 9:5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.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.Numbers 12:7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
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
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- 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
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
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 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.