1 Kings Chapter 3 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

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And 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.

Original Language Analysis

וְאִ֣ם׀ H518
וְאִ֣ם׀
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
הָלַ֖ךְ did walk H1980
הָלַ֖ךְ did walk
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 2 of 13
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בִּדְרָכַ֗י in my ways H1870
בִּדְרָכַ֗י in my ways
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 3 of 13
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לִשְׁמֹ֤ר to keep H8104
לִשְׁמֹ֤ר to keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 4 of 13
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
חֻקַּי֙ my statutes H2706
חֻקַּי֙ my statutes
Strong's: H2706
Word #: 5 of 13
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וּמִצְוֹתַ֔י and my commandments H4687
וּמִצְוֹתַ֔י and my commandments
Strong's: H4687
Word #: 6 of 13
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֖ךְ did walk H1980
הָלַ֖ךְ did walk
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 13
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
דָּוִ֣יד David H1732
דָּוִ֣יד David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 9 of 13
david, the youngest son of jesse
אָבִ֑יךָ as thy father H1
אָבִ֑יךָ as thy father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 10 of 13
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְהַֽאֲרַכְתִּ֖י then I will lengthen H748
וְהַֽאֲרַכְתִּ֖י then I will lengthen
Strong's: H748
Word #: 11 of 13
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָמֶֽיךָ׃ thy days H3117
יָמֶֽיךָ׃ thy days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 13 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

Cross References

Psalms 91:16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.Proverbs 3:2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.Zechariah 3:7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.1 Kings 15:5Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.Proverbs 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.1 Kings 3:6And 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.2 Chronicles 34:2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.Acts 13:22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.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.Psalms 21:4He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

Analysis & Commentary

And 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.

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.

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