1 Kings 1 31

1 Kings 1:31 kjv

Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

1 Kings 1:31 nkjv

Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, "Let my lord King David live forever!"

1 Kings 1:31 niv

Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground, prostrating herself before the king, and said, "May my lord King David live forever!"

1 Kings 1:31 esv

Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king and said, "May my lord King David live forever!"

1 Kings 1:31 nlt

Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, "May my lord King David live forever!"

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 31 Meaning

1 Kings 1:31 describes Bathsheba's humble and respectful response to King David after he confirms his promise that her son, Solomon, will succeed him as king. Her actions—bowing profoundly and speaking a traditional blessing of long life and enduring reign—signify her profound deference to David's authority and her grateful acceptance of his decree. It is an expression of deep loyalty and acknowledgement of royal power.

1 Kings 1 31 Context

This verse is situated during the chaotic and pivotal moment towards the end of King David's reign. David is old, weak, and largely confined to his chambers. His son Adonijah, without David's explicit command or God's appointment, has prematurely proclaimed himself king, gathering significant support from key figures like Joab and Abiathar. Bathsheba, mother of Solomon, along with the prophet Nathan, orchestrates a decisive intervention. Having been informed of Adonijah's usurpation, they appeal to the frail King David, reminding him of his earlier oath to Bathsheba that Solomon would succeed him. Verse 31 captures Bathsheba's immediate response after David solemnly re-affirms his promise, publicly securing Solomon's right to the throne and ensuring divine will prevails over human ambition. Her profound bow and blessing emphasize the weight and authority of David's declaration, providing legitimacy and reverence to the king's final, crucial decision.

1 Kings 1 31 Word analysis

• Then (וַתִּקֹּד): An temporal and sequential adverb, indicating immediate action following David's affirmation of his oath. It highlights the swiftness of Bathsheba's response.
• Bathsheba (בַּת־שֶׁבַע): The mother of Solomon, central to the Davidic succession narrative. Her role here is pivotal; her astute and strategic intervention with Nathan directly leads to David's public confirmation of Solomon. Her past (2 Sam 11-12) makes her current position as a key figure in the line of succession significant, showing God's grace and redemptive purpose even through human sin.
• bowed (וַתִּקֹּד): Hebrew: qādad (קוּד). To bend, to stoop, to bow down the head or body. This is a physical gesture of reverence, humility, and submission, usually to a superior. It indicates the acceptance and profound respect for the authority of the one being bowed to.
• with her face to the ground (עַל־אַפֶּיהָ אָרְצָה): Literally "on her nostrils to the earth." This emphasizes the extreme degree of her prostration, going beyond a mere bow of the head to a complete lowering of her entire body. It signals the highest level of respect, worship, or complete submission before a king, confirming absolute fealty.
• and paid homage (וַתִּשְׁתַּחוּ): Hebrew: shāchâh (שָׁחָה). To bow down, prostrate oneself, do obeisance, to do homage. This word is often used for acts of worship towards God, but here it indicates extreme veneration and acknowledgement of the king's authority and sovereignty. It's a formal act of recognition.
• to the king (לַמֶּלֶךְ): Refers specifically to King David, whose word and authority have just been exercised to confirm Solomon as his successor.
• and said (וַתֹּאמֶר): Introduces her spoken response, following her physical act of homage.
• "May my lord King David (יְחִי אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ דָּוִד): A customary, formulaic, and highly respectful address to a monarch. "My lord" indicates humble servitude and deference. The inclusion of "King David" confirms her recognition of his reigning status.
• live forever!" (לְעוֹלָם): Hebrew: leʿôlām. Literally "to eternity" or "for a very long time." This is a standard acclamation and a fervent wish for the king's long life, prosperous reign, and an enduring dynasty. It is not a literal prayer for immortality but a conventional blessing for his continued well-being and the lasting legacy of his rule, reflecting hope for an everlasting lineage, ultimately fulfilled in the Messianic king, Jesus Christ.

Word-group analysis:

• "bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage": This compound action (combining qādad and shāchâh) represents the deepest form of respectful submission and veneration in ancient Near Eastern culture. It signifies not just reverence but complete acquiescence and profound gratitude for the king's pronouncement. It shows Bathsheba acknowledging David's power and decision with utmost seriousness and loyalty.
• "May my lord King David live forever!": This is a powerful, traditional royal acclamation that acts as both a blessing and an affirmation. It wishes longevity for the king personally but, more importantly, a perpetuated legacy through his divinely appointed successor. In this immediate context, it is Bathsheba's public endorsement and grateful acceptance of David's decree regarding Solomon's ascension, ensuring stability and reinforcing David's continued authority even in his frailty.

1 Kings 1 31 Bonus section

The scene highlights the subtle yet profound power dynamics within the royal court. Bathsheba, despite her controversial past, demonstrates wisdom and political acumen by initiating a decisive conversation with the frail king. Her actions of prostration, rather than being mere flattery, were a cultural expectation to affirm solemn promises and show proper reverence to a king. The "live forever" acclamation was particularly poignant here, given David's advanced age and the urgency of the succession crisis. It conveyed hope for a peaceful transition and the continuity of the covenant God made with David for an enduring kingdom (2 Sam 7). It also underscores the weight and authority of the royal word in ancient Israel. This specific act by Bathsheba contributed significantly to securing Solomon's legitimate claim to the throne, ensuring the fulfillment of God's prophetic word through David's lineage.

1 Kings 1 31 Commentary

1 Kings 1:31 captures a moment of intense drama and profound significance in the biblical narrative. Bathsheba's response, characterized by the deepest forms of obeisance and a powerful verbal affirmation, signifies her complete acceptance of David's word. This is not merely a polite greeting but a deeply symbolic act. Her physical prostration (bowing with her face to the ground and paying homage) underscores the authority David still held, even in his declining health. This was crucial for establishing the legitimacy of Solomon's impending reign against Adonijah's coup attempt. The acclamation "May my lord King David live forever!" further solidifies this. While a conventional phrase, here it holds specific weight, conveying gratitude and affirming the continuity of the divinely-ordained Davidic line. Her action legitimizes David's authority to make this decision and aligns with the prophetic will that Solomon would reign, reinforcing divine providence at work through human agents. This verse effectively seals David's promise and paves the way for the rightful succession.