King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 9:3 Mean?

1 Kings 9:3 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

1 Kings 9:3 · KJV


Context

1

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

2

That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.

3

And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

4

And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

5

Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

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 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 · 28 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 28

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 28

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֵלָ֗יו3 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁ֠מַעְתִּי4 of 28

unto him I have heard

H8085

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

אֶת5 of 28
H853

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

תְּפִלָּֽתְךָ֣6 of 28

thy prayer

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

וְאֶת7 of 28
H853

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

תְּחִנָּֽתְךָ֮8 of 28

and thy supplication

H8467

graciousness; causatively, entreaty

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 28
H834

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

הִתְחַנַּ֣נְתָּה10 of 28

that thou hast made

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

לְפָנַי֒11 of 28

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

הִקְדַּ֗שְׁתִּי12 of 28

me I have hallowed

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

אֶת13 of 28
H853

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

הַבַּ֤יִת14 of 28

this house

H1004

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

הַזֶּה֙15 of 28
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 28
H834

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

בָּנִ֔תָה17 of 28

which thou hast built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לָֽשׂוּם18 of 28

to put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שְׁמִ֥י19 of 28

my ~

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָׁ֖ם20 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

עַד21 of 28

there for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָ֑ם22 of 28

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְהָי֨וּ23 of 28
H1961

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

עֵינַ֧י24 of 28

and mine eyes

H5869

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

וְלִבִּ֛י25 of 28

and mine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

שָׁ֖ם26 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כָּל27 of 28
H3605

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

הַיָּמִֽים׃28 of 28

shall be there perpetually

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


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 9:3 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 9:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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