King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 6:12 Mean?

1 Kings 6:12 in the King James Version says “Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep a... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

1 Kings 6:12 · KJV


Context

10

And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.

11

And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,

12

Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

13

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

14

So Solomon built the house, and finished it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of construction of the temple, 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 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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
הַבַּ֨יִת1 of 26

Concerning this house

H1004

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

הַזֶּ֜ה2 of 26
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁר3 of 26
H834

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

אַתָּ֣ה4 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בֹנֶ֗ה5 of 26

which thou art in building

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אִם6 of 26
H518

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

תֵּלֵ֤ךְ7 of 26
H1980

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

בְּחֻקֹּתַי֙8 of 26

in my statutes

H2708

a statute

וְאֶת9 of 26
H853

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

מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י10 of 26

my judgments

H4941

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

תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה11 of 26

and execute

H6213

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

וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֥12 of 26

and keep

H8104

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

אֶת13 of 26
H853

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

כָּל14 of 26
H3605

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

מִצְוֹתַ֖י15 of 26

all my commandments

H4687

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

לָלֶ֣כֶת16 of 26
H1980

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

בָּהֶ֑ם17 of 26
H0
וַהֲקִֽמֹתִ֤י18 of 26

in them then will I perform

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶת19 of 26
H853

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

דְּבָרִי֙20 of 26

my word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אִתָּ֔ךְ21 of 26
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֲשֶׁ֥ר22 of 26
H834

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

דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי23 of 26

with thee which I spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל24 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֥ד25 of 26

unto David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָבִֽיךָ׃26 of 26

thy father

H1

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


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 6:12 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 6:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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