King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 3:6 Mean?

1 Kings 3:6 in the King James Version says “And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in t...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And 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. mercy: or, bounty”

1 Kings 3:6 · King James Version


Context

4

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

5

In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

6

And 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. mercy: or, bounty

7

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

8

And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And 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.

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.

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 does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 32

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה2 of 32

“And Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

אַתָּ֨ה3 of 32
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עָשִׂ֜יתָ4 of 32

“Thou hast shewed”

H6213

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

עִם5 of 32
H5973

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

עַבְדְּךָ֙6 of 32

“unto thy servant”

H5650

a servant

דָוִ֣ד7 of 32

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָבִי֮8 of 32

“my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הַחֶ֤סֶד9 of 32

“kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

הַגָּדוֹל֙10 of 32

“for him this great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩11 of 32
H834

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

הָלַ֨ךְ12 of 32

“according as he walked”

H1980

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

לְפָנֶ֜יךָ13 of 32

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בֶּֽאֱמֶ֧ת14 of 32

“thee in truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

וּבִצְדָקָ֛ה15 of 32

“and in righteousness”

H6666

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

וּבְיִשְׁרַ֥ת16 of 32

“and in uprightness”

H3483

rectitude

לֵבָ֖ב17 of 32

“of heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

עִמָּ֑ךְ18 of 32
H5973

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

וַתִּשְׁמָר19 of 32

“with thee and thou hast kept”

H8104

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

ל֗וֹ20 of 32
H0
אֶת21 of 32
H853

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

הַחֶ֤סֶד22 of 32

“kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

הַגָּדוֹל֙23 of 32

“for him this great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַזֶּ֔ה24 of 32
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַתִּתֶּן25 of 32

“that thou hast given”

H5414

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

ל֥וֹ26 of 32
H0
בֵ֛ן27 of 32

“him a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֹשֵׁ֥ב28 of 32

“to sit”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עַל29 of 32
H5921

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

כִּסְא֖וֹ30 of 32

“on his throne”

H3678

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

כַּיּ֥וֹם31 of 32

“as it is this day”

H3117

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

הַזֶּֽה׃32 of 32
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 3:6 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 3:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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