1 Kings 6:12
Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
Original Language Analysis
הַבַּ֨יִת
Concerning this house
H1004
הַבַּ֨יִת
Concerning this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
1 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַזֶּ֜ה
H2088
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בֹנֶ֗ה
which thou art in building
H1129
בֹנֶ֗ה
which thou art in building
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
5 of 26
to build (literally and figuratively)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
6 of 26
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תֵּלֵ֤ךְ
H1980
תֵּלֵ֤ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י
my judgments
H4941
מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י
my judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה
and execute
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה
and execute
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֥
and keep
H8104
וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֥
and keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹתַ֖י
all my commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתַ֖י
all my commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
15 of 26
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
לָלֶ֣כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֣כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
16 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַהֲקִֽמֹתִ֤י
in them then will I perform
H6965
וַהֲקִֽמֹתִ֤י
in them then will I perform
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
18 of 26
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרִי֙
my word
H1697
דְּבָרִי֙
my word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
20 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אִתָּ֔ךְ
H854
אִתָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
22 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
with thee which I spake
H1696
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
with thee which I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
23 of 26
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
1 Chronicles 22:10He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.Colossians 1:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;Psalms 132:12If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.1 Kings 3:14And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
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
Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of construction of the temple, 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 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.