And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances, And as for youThis phrase serves as a direct address from God to Solomon, emphasizing personal responsibility and accountability. The Hebrew word for "you" here is singular, indicating that God is speaking directly to Solomon, not to the nation of Israel as a whole. This personal address underscores the intimate relationship God desires with each individual, highlighting the importance of personal faithfulness and obedience. if you walk before Me
The phrase "walk before Me" is a common biblical metaphor for living a life in accordance with God's will. The Hebrew word "halak" (to walk) implies a continuous, habitual lifestyle. Walking "before Me" suggests living with an awareness of God's presence, striving to align one's actions with His divine standards. This phrase calls believers to a life of ongoing faithfulness and devotion, acknowledging God's sovereignty in every aspect of life. as your father David walked
David is presented as a model of faithfulness, despite his well-documented failures. The Hebrew root for "walked" is the same as before, emphasizing a consistent lifestyle. David's life, characterized by repentance and a heart after God, serves as an example for Solomon. This reference to David highlights the importance of a repentant heart and a sincere desire to follow God, even amidst human imperfection. with integrity of heart and uprightness
"Integrity of heart" refers to sincerity and wholeness in one's inner being. The Hebrew word "tom" (integrity) suggests completeness and moral innocence. "Uprightness" (Hebrew "yosher") implies straightness and honesty in one's actions. Together, these terms call for a life that is both internally and externally aligned with God's standards. This dual emphasis on heart and action reflects the biblical principle that true righteousness involves both inner purity and outward obedience. doing all I have commanded you
This phrase underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands. The Hebrew word "tsavah" (commanded) conveys the idea of authoritative instruction. Obedience is not selective but comprehensive, encompassing all that God has revealed. This call to complete obedience challenges believers to submit every aspect of their lives to God's authority, recognizing His wisdom and lordship. and if you keep My statutes and ordinances
"Keep" (Hebrew "shamar") means to guard, observe, or give heed to. "Statutes" (Hebrew "choq") and "ordinances" (Hebrew "mishpat") refer to God's decrees and judgments. This phrase emphasizes the necessity of diligent attention to God's laws, not merely as legalistic requirements but as expressions of His character and will. Keeping God's statutes and ordinances involves a commitment to understanding and applying His Word in daily life, reflecting a heart devoted to His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe son of King David and the third king of Israel, Solomon is the recipient of God's message in this verse. He is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building the First Temple in Jerusalem. 2. DavidThe second king of Israel and father of Solomon, David is described as a man after God's own heart. His life is marked by both great faith and significant failures, yet he is upheld as a model of integrity and devotion to God. 3. God's CovenantThis verse is part of God's covenant with Solomon, where God promises blessings contingent upon Solomon's faithfulness and obedience. 4. JerusalemThe city where Solomon reigned and where the Temple was built, serving as the spiritual and political center of Israel. 5. The TempleRecently completed by Solomon, the Temple is the focal point of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Teaching Points Integrity of HeartTrue integrity involves consistency between one's inner life and outward actions. Solomon is called to emulate David's heart for God, which requires sincerity and authenticity in his relationship with God. Uprightness in ActionWalking in uprightness means living in accordance with God's standards. This involves not only personal morality but also justice and righteousness in leadership. Obedience to God's CommandsObedience is a central theme in the covenant relationship. Solomon's success as king is contingent upon his adherence to God's statutes and ordinances. The Legacy of FaithfulnessSolomon is reminded of his father David's legacy. Our actions and faithfulness can have a lasting impact on future generations. Conditional PromisesGod's promises to Solomon are conditional upon his obedience. This highlights the importance of personal responsibility in maintaining a covenant relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the example of David's integrity and uprightness challenge you in your personal walk with God? 2. In what ways can you ensure that your heart aligns with your actions, reflecting true integrity in your daily life? 3. How do the conditional aspects of God's promises to Solomon inform your understanding of God's expectations for His people today? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure obedience to God's commands in your personal and professional life? 5. How can the legacy of faithfulness in your own family or community inspire you to live a life that honors God? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 10:12-13This passage emphasizes the importance of walking in God's ways, loving Him, and keeping His commandments, similar to the charge given to Solomon. Psalm 78:70-72Highlights David's integrity and skillful leadership, providing a model for Solomon's reign. 1 Chronicles 28:9David's charge to Solomon to serve God with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind, echoing the call for integrity and obedience. Matthew 22:37-40Jesus summarizes the law as loving God and neighbor, which aligns with the call to walk in integrity and keep God's commandments. People Amorites, Canaanites, David, Geber, Gibeon, Hiram, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Ophir, Perizzites, Pharaoh, Solomon, TamarPlaces Baalath, Beth-horon, Brook of Egypt, Cabul, Edom, Egypt, Eloth, Ezion-geber, Galilee, Gezer, Gibeon, Hazor, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Megiddo, Millo, Ophir, Red Sea, Tamar, TyreTopics Command, Commanded, David, Decisions, Decrees, Heart, Integrity, Judgments, Keeping, Laws, Observe, Orders, Ordinances, Simplicity, Statutes, Uprightly, Uprightness, Walk, Walked, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 9:4 5017 heart, renewal
5666 children, needs 1 Kings 9:4-5 5366 king
5370 kingship, human
8275 honesty 1 Kings 9:4-9 1351 covenant, with David
8404 commands, in OT Library Promises and Threatenings
'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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGadara
There was a double Gadara. One at the shore of the Mediterranean sea: that was first called Gezer, 1 Kings 9:15. In Josephus, "Simon destroyed the city Gazara, and Joppe, and Jamnia."--And in the Book of the Maccabees, "And he fortified Joppe, which is on the sea, and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus." At length, according to the idiom of the Syrian dialect, Zain passed into Daleth; and instead of Gazara, it was called Gadara. Hence Strabo, after the mention of Jamnia, saith, "and there …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
Objection 1: It would seem that solicitude does not belong to prudence. For solicitude implies disquiet, wherefore Isidore says (Etym. x) that "a solicitous man is a restless man." Now motion belongs chiefly to the appetitive power: wherefore solicitude does also. But prudence is not in the appetitive power, but in the reason, as stated above [2746](A[1]). Therefore solicitude does not belong to prudence. Objection 2: Further, the certainty of truth seems opposed to solicitude, wherefore it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Prophecy Pertains to Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. For it is written (Ecclus. 48:14) that after death the body of Eliseus prophesied, and further on (Ecclus. 49:18) it is said of Joseph that "his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied." Now no knowledge remains in the body or in the bones after death. Therefore prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. Objection 2: Further, it is written (1 Cor. 14:3): "He that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification." Now speech …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Lawful to Give and Receive Money for Spiritual Actions?
Objection 1: It seems that it is lawful to give and receive money for spiritual actions. The use of prophecy is a spiritual action. But something used to be given of old for the use of prophecy, as appears from 1 Kings 9:7,8, and 3 Kings 14:3. Therefore it would seem that it is lawful to give and receive money for a spiritual action. Objection 2: Further, prayer, preaching, divine praise, are most spiritual actions. Now money is given to holy persons in order to obtain the assistance of their prayers, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Seven Seas According to the Talmudists, and the Four Rivers Compassing the Land.
"Seven seas (say they) and four rivers compass the land of Israel. I. The Great Sea, or the Mediterranean. II. The sea of Tiberias. III. The sea of Sodom. IV. The lake of Samocho... The three first named among the seven are sufficiently known, and there is no doubt of the fourth:--only the three names of it are not to be passed by. IV. 1. The Sibbichaean. The word seems to be derived from a bush. 2. ... 3. ... V. Perhaps the sandy sea. Which fits very well to the lake of Sirbon, joining the commentary …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica How to Split a Kingdom
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt); 3. That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations," …
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 9:4 NIV1 Kings 9:4 NLT1 Kings 9:4 ESV1 Kings 9:4 NASB1 Kings 9:4 KJV
1 Kings 9:4 Commentaries
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