1 Kings 11:34

Authorized King James Version

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Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶקַּ֥ח Howbeit I will not take H3947
אֶקַּ֥ח Howbeit I will not take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 2 of 22
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 22
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 #: 4 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה the whole kingdom H4467
הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה the whole kingdom
Strong's: H4467
Word #: 5 of 22
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
מִיָּד֑וֹ out of his hand H3027
מִיָּד֑וֹ out of his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 6 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כִּ֣י׀ H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָשִׂ֣יא him prince H5387
נָשִׂ֣יא him prince
Strong's: H5387
Word #: 8 of 22
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
אֲשִׁתֶ֗נּוּ but I will make H7896
אֲשִׁתֶ֗נּוּ but I will make
Strong's: H7896
Word #: 9 of 22
to place (in a very wide application)
כֹּ֚ל H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֣י all the days H3117
יְמֵ֣י all the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 11 of 22
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
חַיָּ֔יו of his life H2416
חַיָּ֔יו of his life
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 12 of 22
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
לְמַ֨עַן H4616
לְמַ֨עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 13 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
דָּוִ֤ד for David H1732
דָּוִ֤ד for David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 14 of 22
david, the youngest son of jesse
עַבְדִּי֙ my servant's H5650
עַבְדִּי֙ my servant's
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 15 of 22
a servant
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 16 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּחַ֣רְתִּי sake whom I chose H977
בָּחַ֣רְתִּי sake whom I chose
Strong's: H977
Word #: 17 of 22
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
אֹת֔וֹ H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 19 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁמַ֖ר because he kept H8104
שָׁמַ֖ר because he kept
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 20 of 22
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתַ֥י my commandments H4687
מִצְוֹתַ֥י my commandments
Strong's: H4687
Word #: 21 of 22
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וְחֻקֹּתָֽי׃ and my statutes H2708
וְחֻקֹּתָֽי׃ and my statutes
Strong's: H2708
Word #: 22 of 22
a statute

Analysis & Commentary

Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's apostasy and death, 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.

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.

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