1 Kings 11 43

1 Kings 11:43 kjv

And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 11:43 nkjv

Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings 11:43 niv

Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

1 Kings 11:43 esv

And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings 11:43 nlt

When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king.

1 Kings 11 verses

1 Kings 11 43 Meaning

1 Kings 11:43 details the death, burial, and succession of King Solomon. It succinctly states that Solomon passed away, using the common biblical euphemism "slept with his fathers," indicating his peaceful death and joining his royal ancestors. He was buried in Jerusalem, specifically "the City of David," which was the ancestral burial ground for the Davidic kings, emphasizing his legitimate place within that lineage. The verse concludes by stating that his son, Rehoboam, succeeded him as king, signifying the continued fulfillment of God's covenant with David concerning an enduring dynasty, even amidst the backdrop of Solomon's spiritual decline described in the preceding verses.

1 Kings 11 43 Context

1 Kings chapter 11 marks a crucial turning point in the history of Israel under the United Monarchy. It immediately precedes this verse by detailing King Solomon's profound spiritual decline. Despite being the wisest man, Solomon succumbed to the temptations of many foreign wives (700 wives, 300 concubines), who led his heart astray to serve other gods, building high places for idols like Chemosh and Molech (1 Ki 11:1-8). This disobedience was a direct violation of the Lord's commands and led to God's anger. The Lord announced judgment against Solomon, promising to tear the kingdom from his son's hand, leaving only one tribe for David's sake (1 Ki 11:9-13).

Therefore, 1 Kings 11:43 serves as the summary conclusion to Solomon's illustrious yet tragic reign. It is an editorial comment typical of the book of Kings, neatly closing out a king's rule before moving to the next. The historical context is the twilight of the united kingdom of Israel, poised on the brink of division. The author's primary interest is theological, highlighting that even the wisest and most glorious king could fall from divine favor due to disobedience, directly leading to dire consequences for the nation.

1 Kings 11 43 Word analysis

• So Solomon (וַיִּשְׁכַּב שְׁלֹמֹה – va'yishkav Sh'lomoh): "So" acts as a transition, concluding the account of Solomon's life. "Solomon" refers to the third king of united Israel, son of David, whose reign began in unparalleled wisdom and glory but ended in significant spiritual apostasy.
• slept (וַיִּשְׁכַּב – va'yishkav): This is a Hebrew euphemism for death, literally meaning "and he lay down" or "and he slept." It often implies a peaceful passing and is commonly used for kings, emphasizing a natural end rather than violent death. It doesn't imply any particular theological doctrine of sleep regarding the soul but simply a cessation of life.
• with his fathers (עִם אֲבֹתָיו – im avotayv): This phrase further expands on the euphemism for death. It means joining his ancestors, referring to his predecessors and lineage rather than an explicit reference to the afterlife. It signifies a respected, traditional burial alongside other members of the royal house and denotes continuity within the royal dynasty, regardless of the individual king's failures.
• and was buried (וַיִּקָּבֵר – va'yiqqaver): Standard Hebrew verb for burial. This confirms the physical internment following death, completing the earthly journey.
• in the city of David (בְּעִיר דָּוִד – be'ir David): Refers to Jerusalem, specifically the oldest part of the city, often identified with Mount Zion. This was the designated burial place for the Davidic kings, initiated by King David himself. Solomon's burial here emphasizes his legitimate place within the Davidic line, validating his reign and successor despite his later spiritual failings. It physically ties him to the very heart of the Davidic covenant.
• his father (אָבִיו – aviv): Reinforces the direct lineage to David. It underlines the continued importance of the Davidic dynasty as established by God's covenant with David (2 Sam 7).
• and Rehoboam his son reigned (וַיִּמְלֹךְ רְחַבְעָם בְּנוֹ – va'yimloch Rehav'am beno): "Rehoboam" is Solomon's son by Naamah the Ammonitess (1 Ki 14:21). The phrase "reigned" (מָלַךְ – malakh) is the standard term for assuming kingship. This signifies the transfer of power and the continuation of the Davidic dynasty, as prophesied and covenanted by God (2 Sam 7:12).
• in his place (תַּחְתָּיו – tachtaiv): This means "in his stead" or "as his successor." It clearly states that Rehoboam legitimately took over the throne immediately following Solomon's death, establishing an unbroken line of succession. This phrase underscores the principle of hereditary monarchy divinely established for the Davidic line.

1 Kings 11 43 Bonus section

The brevity with which the biblical narrator summarizes Solomon's death, after dedicating so much to his splendor and then his moral failure, is notable. It reflects the Deuteronomistic author's theological agenda: quickly moving past a flawed king to deal with the severe consequences of his actions. For a king of such global renown, the conclusion of his life is remarkably concise, emphasizing the spiritual decay that overshadowed his material achievements. His burial in the "City of David" is a significant detail, reinforcing the stability and divine appointment of the Davidic lineage, despite the grave spiritual errors of its human representatives. It underlines God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David, ensuring the succession of the Davidic line, even when the immediate inheritor of the throne would preside over the kingdom's fragmentation. The verse thus sets up the paradox of God's faithful promises against human unfaithfulness, leading to both continuity and calamity.

1 Kings 11 43 Commentary

1 Kings 11:43 marks the poignant close to Solomon's reign, the high point of Israel's human monarchy. While outwardly glorious and materially prosperous, Solomon's rule ultimately ended in spiritual failure, characterized by idolatry fueled by his foreign alliances. This concise summary of his death and burial, a typical concluding formula for Israelite kings, carries profound theological weight. The phrase "slept with his fathers" acts as a neutral euphemism for death, yet it holds significance for a king whose spiritual life was far from peaceful in his latter days. His burial in the "City of David, his father," links him inextricably to the legacy of David and the unwavering Davidic covenant. This covenant, promising an eternal dynasty, remained faithful despite Solomon's unfaithfulness. The swift declaration of Rehoboam's succession sets the immediate stage for the catastrophic division of the kingdom described in the subsequent chapters, a direct consequence of Solomon's disobedience. This verse, therefore, is not merely a historical record but a bridge from a fallen glory to the unfolding of divine judgment and the enduring truth of God's covenant faithfulness through succession.