King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 11:38 Mean?

1 Kings 11:38 in the King James Version says “And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

1 Kings 11:38 · KJV


Context

36

And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. light: Heb. lamp, or, candle

37

And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

38

And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

39

And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.

40

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

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 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.

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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 32
H1961

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

אִם2 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּשְׁמַע֮3 of 32

And it shall be if thou wilt hearken

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת4 of 32
H853

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

כָּל5 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 32
H834

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

אֲצַוֶּךָ֒7 of 32

unto all that I command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֣8 of 32

thee and wilt walk

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בִדְרָכַ֗י9 of 32

in my ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

עָשָׂ֖ה10 of 32

and do

H6213

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

הַיָּשָׁ֤ר11 of 32

that is right

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵינַי֙12 of 32

in my sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לִשְׁמ֤וֹר13 of 32

to keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

חֻקּוֹתַי֙14 of 32

my statutes

H2708

a statute

וּמִצְוֹתַ֔י15 of 32

and my commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 32
H834

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

עָשָׂ֖ה17 of 32

and do

H6213

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

לְדָוִ֔ד18 of 32

as David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עַבְדִּ֑י19 of 32

my servant

H5650

a servant

וְהָיִ֣יתִי20 of 32
H1961

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

עִמָּ֗ךְ21 of 32
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בָּנִ֣יתִי22 of 32

as I built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לְךָ֤23 of 32
H0
בַיִת24 of 32

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

נֶֽאֱמָן֙25 of 32

thee a sure

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר26 of 32
H834

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

בָּנִ֣יתִי27 of 32

as I built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לְדָוִ֔ד28 of 32

as David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְנָֽתַתִּ֥י29 of 32

and will give

H5414

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

לְךָ֖30 of 32
H0
אֶת31 of 32
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃32 of 32

Israel

H3478

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


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 11:38 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 11:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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