1 Kings 9:1

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

Original Language Analysis

וַֽיְהִי֙ H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת had finished H3615
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת had finished
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 2 of 17
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה And it came to pass when Solomon H8010
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה And it came to pass when Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 3 of 17
shelomah, david's successor
לִבְנ֥וֹת the building H1129
לִבְנ֥וֹת the building
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 4 of 17
to build (literally and figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית house H1004
בֵּ֣ית house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 6 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית house H1004
בֵּ֣ית house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 9 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ and the king's H4428
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ and the king's
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 10 of 17
a king
וְאֵת֙ H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 17
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 #: 12 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֵ֣שֶׁק desire H2837
חֵ֣שֶׁק desire
Strong's: H2837
Word #: 13 of 17
delight
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה And it came to pass when Solomon H8010
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה And it came to pass when Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 14 of 17
shelomah, david's successor
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חָפֵ֖ץ which he was pleased H2654
חָפֵ֖ץ which he was pleased
Strong's: H2654
Word #: 16 of 17
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
לַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ to do H6213
לַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ to do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 17 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of god's covenant with solomon and his building projects, 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.

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources