King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 9:25 Mean?

1 Kings 9:25 in the King James Version says “And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the L... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house. upon the altar that: Heb. upon it, etc

1 Kings 9:25 · KJV


Context

23

These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

24

But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he build Millo.

25

And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house. upon the altar that: Heb. upon it, etc

26

And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom. shore: Heb. lip

27

And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of god's covenant with solomon and his building projects, 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 sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).

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 · 20 words
וְהֶֽעֱלָ֣ה1 of 20

offer

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

שְׁלֹמֹ֡ה2 of 20

did Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

שָׁלֹשׁ֩3 of 20

And three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

פְּעָמִ֨ים4 of 20

times

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

בַּשָּׁנָ֜ה5 of 20

in a year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

עֹל֣וֹת6 of 20

burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וּשְׁלָמִ֗ים7 of 20

and peace offerings

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

עַל8 of 20
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙9 of 20

upon the altar

H4196

an altar

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 20
H834

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

בָּנָ֣ה11 of 20

which he built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

יְהוָ֑ה12 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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

וְהַקְטֵ֣יר13 of 20

and he burnt incense

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

אִתּ֔וֹ14 of 20
H854

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

אֲשֶׁ֖ר15 of 20
H834

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

לִפְנֵ֣י16 of 20

that was 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

יְהוָ֑ה17 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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

וְשִׁלַּ֖ם18 of 20

So he finished

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

אֶת19 of 20
H853

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

הַבָּֽיִת׃20 of 20

the house

H1004

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


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 9:25 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 9:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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