King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:25 Mean?

1 Kings 8:25 in the King James Version says “Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall n... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me. fail: Heb. be cut off unto thee a man from my sight so that: Heb. only if

1 Kings 8:25 · KJV


Context

23

And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

24

Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

25

Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me. fail: Heb. be cut off unto thee a man from my sight so that: Heb. only if

26

And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

27

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.

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

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וְעַתָּ֞ה1 of 33
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יְהוָ֣ה׀2 of 33

Therefore now LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י3 of 33

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל4 of 33

of Israel

H3478

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

יִשְׁמְר֨וּ5 of 33

keep

H8104

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

לְעַבְדְּךָ֙6 of 33

with thy servant

H5650

a servant

דָוִ֤ד7 of 33

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָבִי֙8 of 33

my father

H1

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

אֵת֩9 of 33
H853

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 33
H834

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

דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ11 of 33

that thou promisedst

H1696

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

לּוֹ֙12 of 33
H0
לֵאמֹ֔ר13 of 33

him saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹֽא14 of 33
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִכָּרֵ֨ת15 of 33

There shall not fail

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לְךָ֥16 of 33
H0
אִישׁ֙17 of 33

thee a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְפָנָֽי׃18 of 33

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

יֹשֵׁ֖ב19 of 33

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

עַל20 of 33
H5921

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

כִּסֵּ֣א21 of 33

on the throne

H3678

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל22 of 33

of Israel

H3478

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

רַ֠ק23 of 33

so

H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

אִם24 of 33
H518

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

יִשְׁמְר֨וּ25 of 33

keep

H8104

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

בָנֶ֤יךָ26 of 33

that thy children

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

אֶת27 of 33
H853

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

דַּרְכָּם֙28 of 33

to their way

H1870

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

הָלַ֖כְתָּ29 of 33

me as thou hast walked

H1980

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

לְפָנָֽי׃30 of 33

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר31 of 33
H834

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

הָלַ֖כְתָּ32 of 33

me as thou hast walked

H1980

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

לְפָנָֽי׃33 of 33

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


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 8:25 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 8:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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