1 Kings 1 47

1 Kings 1:47 kjv

And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

1 Kings 1:47 nkjv

And moreover the king's servants have gone to bless our lord King David, saying, 'May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.' Then the king bowed himself on the bed.

1 Kings 1:47 niv

Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!' And the king bowed in worship on his bed

1 Kings 1:47 esv

Moreover, the king's servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.' And the king bowed himself on the bed.

1 Kings 1:47 nlt

And all the royal officials have gone to King David and congratulated him, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's fame even greater than your own, and may Solomon's reign be even greater than yours!' Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed,

1 Kings 1 verses

1 Kings 1 47 Meaning

Following the joyous news of Solomon's anointing and enthronement as king, David's high-ranking servants approach the aged King David. They pronounce a profound blessing, petitioning God to make Solomon's renown and authority surpass David's own. This reflects a fervent hope for a future reign of even greater prosperity, peace, and divine favor for the kingdom. In response, David, filled with gratitude and acknowledging God's hand in fulfilling His promises, humbly bows in worship upon his bed.

1 Kings 1 47 Context

1 Kings chapter 1 depicts the final days of King David's reign, marked by an attempt by his elder son Adonijah to seize the throne. Adonijah, without David's knowledge or consent, proclaims himself king and gathers a following of key figures, including Joab and Abiathar. However, Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, intervene. They inform David of Adonijah's coup and remind him of his oath to make Solomon king. David, asserting his authority one last time, issues a clear command for Solomon to be anointed and proclaimed king immediately. The anointing ceremony takes place with great fanfare, creating a joyful uproar that reaches Adonijah's feasting party, causing his followers to scatter in fear. Verse 47 follows this dramatic turn of events, marking the immediate aftermath of Solomon's legitimate enthronement and the loyalty now extended to both David and his chosen successor. Historically, kingship in the ancient Near East was often tumultuous regarding succession, making such divine appointment and peaceful transition particularly significant. The bowing reflects not only homage to David but also deep gratitude to God for preserving the kingdom's stability.

1 Kings 1 47 Word analysis

• And the king's servants came: Refers to high-ranking officials and loyal court members, those who served David faithfully and respected his ultimate authority in succession, contrasting with those who aligned with Adonijah. Their arrival is an act of respectful homage and reporting.
• to bless our lord King David: The verb "to bless" (Hebrew: barak) here means to acknowledge the divine favor upon David, to pronounce good wishes, and to affirm his continued (though perhaps transitioning) royal status. It is a formal act of loyalty and respect. "Our lord King David" emphasizes their continuing reverence for him as their reigning monarch, even as a successor is being confirmed.
• saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name,: This is a direct prayer for divine intervention. "God make" (Hebrew: Yehi YHWH, "May Yahweh cause to be") highlights divine sovereignty in the establishment and success of kings. "Name" (Hebrew: shem) represents more than just the designation; it signifies reputation, renown, authority, legacy, character, and honor. To pray for Solomon's "name" to be "better" (Hebrew: tov, good, pleasing, superior) than David's was not a disrespectful wish for David to be diminished. Instead, it was a profound cultural expression of hope that the future reign would surpass the glories of the past, demonstrating an even greater manifestation of God's blessing and power. It also sets up a potential Messianic theme of a "greater Son of David."
• and make his throne greater than thy throne.: "Throne" (Hebrew: kisse') symbolizes kingship, power, dominion, authority, stability, and extent of rule. For Solomon's "throne" to be "greater" implies a more powerful, extensive, stable, or prosperous reign. This echoes God's covenant with David, promising an enduring dynasty and even greater fulfillment of blessings under his successors (2 Sam 7). This aligns with the meaning of Solomon's name (Hebrew: Shelomoh), derived from "shalom" (peace), hinting at a reign of unprecedented peace and prosperity, which would indeed be "greater" in some aspects than David's often warring reign.
• And the king bowed himself upon the bed.: "Bowed himself" (Hebrew: vayyishtahu) indicates an act of prostration or deep reverence, typical of worship or extreme gratitude in ancient Israel. Given David's advanced age and weakness, indicated by him being in bed, his bowing "upon the bed" suggests that he prostrated himself as much as his physical condition allowed. It is an act of profound humility and worship directed towards God, acknowledging His faithfulness in establishing Solomon and fulfilling His covenant promises, despite David's personal failings and the challenges of succession.

1 Kings 1 47 Bonus section

The scene described in this verse powerfully contrasts the chaotic human attempt at succession by Adonijah with God's peaceful and divinely appointed path through Solomon. Adonijah sought the throne through self-exaltation and human conspiracy (1 Ki 1:5-9), while Solomon was chosen by God and confirmed through David's oath and the anointing by Zadok and Nathan (1 Ki 1:32-35, 38-40). The joyful shout (1 Ki 1:40) that followed Solomon's anointing drowned out Adonijah's festivities, signaling God's hand in establishing legitimate authority. David's humility in bowing underscores that he saw God, not himself, as the true sovereign over Israel. This highlights a critical principle: legitimate authority comes from divine appointment and blessing, not human ambition. Furthermore, the aspiration for Solomon's "name" and "throne" to be "greater" not only celebrated the incoming king but also implicitly looked forward to a perfect King and an eternal kingdom—themes that find their ultimate reality in Jesus Christ, the perfect King from David's line, whose dominion and glory are eternally "greater" than all others.

1 Kings 1 47 Commentary

1 Kings 1:47 offers a poignant glimpse into the transfer of divine authority and a powerful affirmation of God's covenant faithfulness. The servants' blessing for Solomon to surpass David's renown and dominion might seem bold, but it signifies a hope deeply rooted in God's promises of a continuously thriving and blessed Davidic kingdom. It reflects the belief that God's work progresses and that each generation can potentially experience greater manifestations of His grace and power. David's immediate response of bowing in worship upon his bed reveals his profound humility and deep gratitude to God. He understands that this smooth, divinely ordained succession, despite Adonijah's rebellion, is entirely by God's grace and the fulfillment of His covenant (2 Sam 7). This verse is a microcosm of trust, humility, and the anticipation of divine fulfillment that stretches forward, finding its ultimate "greater" reality in the eternal and universal reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, the true "greater than Solomon" (Matt 12:42) whose name and throne are indeed greater than any before or since.