1 Kings 2:4

Translations

Modern

…and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’

Traditional

That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

Literal

…so that YHWH may fulfill His word that He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘Shall not be cut off to you a man on the throne of Israel.’

Latin

…ut confirmet Dominus sermones suos quos locutus est de me, dicens: Si custodierint filii tui vias suas, et ambulaverint coram me in veritate, in omni corde suo et in omni anima sua, non auferetur tibi vir de solio Israël.

Original

Hebrew

English

…and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’

Notes

1 Kings 2:2–4

David advised Solomon to follow the spiritual and ethical rules from Deuteronomy and the covenant through Moses (see Leviticus 18:4–5; Deuteronomy 5:33; 6:4–5; 8:6; 10:12). He also mentioned the promises of the covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12–16, 25). If Solomon followed God's rules, his heir would receive God's blessings and pass them to future generations (Psalm 89:3–4, 20, 24, 27–37).
The most important heir of David was the Messiah. The Messiah would:
- show true righteousness (Isaiah 11:1–5),
- gain all the benefits of the covenant (Jeremiah 33:14–16), and
- create a new covenant with Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 34:24–31; 37:24–28).
The New Testament identifies Jesus as that son of David who has come (Matthew 1:1; Romans 1:1–4). He will return to fulfill Old Testament prophecies and bless everyone (Luke 1:67–79; Galatians 3:26–29; Revelation 3:21).

1 Kings 2:1–12

David gave Solomon his final advice in two parts:

personal guidance for spiritual living (1 Kings 2:2–4) and
directions about people David had interacted with (1 Kings 2:5–9).

1 Kings 1:1–2:12

The book of 1 Kings begins with the Lord's promise to David (see 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Solomon was the rightful and God-chosen heir to what God gave his father David. The problems during Solomon's rise to power suggested there would be more troubles later in his reign and between Israel and Judah in the future(1 Kings 1:1–2:46; 11:12–43).

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Bathsheba David Solomon God’s Covenant with Israel’s Kings

Related verses

2 Kings 20:3
“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
2 Samuel 7:25
And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised,
1 Kings 8:25
Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk before Me as you have done.’
Matthew 22:37
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
Psalm 132:11–12
The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne.
John 15:9–10
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love.
Psalm 89:29–37
I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.
1 Chronicles 22:9–11
But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
2 Kings 23:25
Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses.
1 Kings 3:3
And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.
1 Kings 8:23
…and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Parallels

Psalm 37:1–40

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Kings, Books of First and Second Solomon (Person) Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs Wisdom

Topics

Blessing: Contingent Upon Obedience Children: Counsel of Parents To David: King of Israel: Delivers his Charge to Solomon Death: Scenes of Death of David Evil for Good: To Joab God: Providence of Heart: Renewed: It should Render to God Obedience Heedfulness: Necessary: Promises To The Heart: we should Walk Before God with All Truth: Saints should Walk Before God In Truth: Walk in the Presence of God In Watchfulness: General Scriptures Concerning Will: A Testament of David

1 Kings 2:4

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