1 Kings 8:25
Therefore 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֞ה
H6258
יְהוָ֣ה׀
Therefore now LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה׀
Therefore now LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 33
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 33
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ
keep
H8104
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ
keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
5 of 33
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אָבִי֙
my father
H1
אָבִי֙
my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
8 of 33
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ
that thou promisedst
H1696
דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ
that thou promisedst
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 33
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּרֵ֨ת
There shall not fail
H3772
יִכָּרֵ֨ת
There shall not fail
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
15 of 33
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
אִישׁ֙
thee a man
H376
אִישׁ֙
thee a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
17 of 33
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)
לְפָנָֽי׃
before
H6440
לְפָנָֽי׃
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
18 of 33
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יֹשֵׁ֖ב
to sit
H3427
יֹשֵׁ֖ב
to sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
19 of 33
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 #:
20 of 33
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסֵּ֣א
on the throne
H3678
כִּסֵּ֣א
on the throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
21 of 33
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
22 of 33
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
רַ֠ק
so
H7535
רַ֠ק
so
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
23 of 33
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
24 of 33
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ
keep
H8104
יִשְׁמְר֨וּ
keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
25 of 33
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
בָנֶ֤יךָ
that thy children
H1121
בָנֶ֤יךָ
that thy children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
26 of 33
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 #:
27 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דַּרְכָּם֙
to their way
H1870
דַּרְכָּם֙
to their way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
28 of 33
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָלַ֖כְתָּ
me as thou hast walked
H1980
הָלַ֖כְתָּ
me as thou hast walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
29 of 33
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנָֽי׃
before
H6440
לְפָנָֽי׃
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
30 of 33
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
31 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
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
Therefore 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.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of dedication of the temple, 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.