King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 10:9 Mean?

1 Kings 10:9 in the King James Version says “Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

1 Kings 10:9 · King James Version


Context

7

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. thy: Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodness to

8

Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.

9

Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

10

And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

11

And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of queen of sheba and solomon's wealth, 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
  2. What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
יְהִ֨י1 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יְהוָ֤ה2 of 21

be the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙3 of 21

thy God

H430

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

בָּר֔וּךְ4 of 21

Blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֲשֶׁר֙5 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חָפֵ֣ץ6 of 21

which delighted

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

בְּךָ֔7 of 21
H0
לְתִתְּךָ֖8 of 21

in thee to set

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עַל9 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כִּסֵּ֣א10 of 21

thee on the throne

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙11 of 21

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּאַֽהֲבַ֨ת12 of 21

loved

H160

love

יְהוָ֤ה13 of 21

be the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת14 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙15 of 21

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְעֹלָ֔ם16 of 21

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וַיְשִֽׂימְךָ֣17 of 21

therefore made

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְמֶ֔לֶךְ18 of 21

he thee king

H4428

a king

לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת19 of 21

to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִשְׁפָּ֖ט20 of 21

judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וּצְדָקָֽה׃21 of 21

and justice

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 10:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 10:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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