1 Kings 2 10

1 Kings 2:10 kjv

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

1 Kings 2:10 nkjv

So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David.

1 Kings 2:10 niv

Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.

1 Kings 2:10 esv

Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.

1 Kings 2:10 nlt

Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 10 Meaning

The verse marks a significant transition, declaring the natural, peaceful passing of King David. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common biblical idiom indicating death, particularly for revered figures and kings, implying he joined his ancestors in the afterlife or the collective resting place. His burial "in the City of David," which is Jerusalem, underscores his esteemed royal status and deep connection to the capital he established, cementing his physical presence within the heart of his kingdom and solidifying the Davidic legacy.

1 Kings 2 10 Context

1 Kings chapter 2 primarily chronicles David's final instructions to his son Solomon, urging him to walk in God's ways and establishing justice for various figures in his court, before concluding with the account of David's death and burial. This verse acts as the concluding point of David's active reign and life, transitioning the narrative fully to Solomon's succession. Historically, David's reign (circa 1010-970 BC) was a period of consolidation for the Israelite kingdom, establishing Jerusalem as its political and religious capital. His death marks the passing of an era characterized by foundational military victories and the establishment of the centralized monarchy, setting the stage for Solomon's reign of peace and the building of the First Temple.

1 Kings 2 10 Word analysis

• Then (וַיְהִי): Connects David's death directly to the preceding events of his final charge to Solomon, indicating a sequential transition and the immediate consequence of his earthly life being complete.
• David (דָּוִיד - David): Refers to King David, the anointed king of Israel, central to God's covenant promises and the history of Israel. His identity here highlights the end of a pivotal figure's earthly journey.
• slept with his fathers (וַיִּשְׁכַּב עִם־אֲבֹתָיו - vayyishkav im-avotayv): A polite and common euphemism in the ancient Near East and throughout the Old Testament for death, especially concerning kings and revered individuals. It implies a peaceful passing rather than a violent one. This phrase emphasizes continuity through the generations and the idea of rejoining one's ancestors in the afterlife or a common resting place. For David, despite the unique promises given to him (2 Sam 7), his mortality is clear, paving the way for the greater "Son of David" who would not "see corruption" (Acts 2:29-31).
• and was buried (וַיִּקָּבֵר - vayyiqqavér): Signifies the physical act of interment, which was an important ritual of respect and mourning in ancient Israelite culture. This specific act confirms his death and permanent departure.
• in the City of David (בְּעִיר דָּוִיד - b'ir David): Refers to Jerusalem, specifically the oldest fortified section, Mount Zion, which David captured and made his capital (2 Sam 5:7-9). His burial here underscores his unparalleled importance as the founder of the Davidic dynasty and the city's special status as his royal capital. It was a place of honor reserved for key monarchs, symbolizing his lasting legacy and the stability of the throne associated with his name and city.

• "Then David slept with his fathers": This phrase captures the orderly and divinely ordained conclusion of David's earthly reign, marked by a natural death. It underscores his place within the lineage of Abraham and other patriarchs, transitioning from the temporal reign to the enduring covenant promises that extend beyond his life.
• "and was buried in the City of David": This second part emphasizes the concrete reality of his passing and his lasting legacy tied to the very heart of Israel's political and spiritual life. His tomb in Jerusalem became a tangible sign of the Davidic dynasty's continuity and the focus of the messianic hope centered on a king from his line and his city.

1 Kings 2 10 Bonus section

The physical location of "the City of David" is key to understanding its significance beyond just a burial place. It represents the earthly fulfillment and anchoring point of the divine covenant with David (2 Sam 7), where his 'house' (dynasty) would be established forever. This made Jerusalem a city of unique theological importance. The phrase "slept with his fathers" suggests a natural, peaceful death, contrasting with the often violent ends of other rulers, reinforcing God's favor upon David throughout his life, including his peaceful transition out of it. The enduring physical presence of David's tomb in Jerusalem (attested even in the New Testament in Acts 2:29) served as a visible testament to the continuity of the Davidic line and the messianic promises associated with it, making it a sacred landmark for both historical memory and future hope.

1 Kings 2 10 Commentary

1 Kings 2:10 is a pivotal verse marking the end of David's monumental reign and the beginning of Solomon's, crucial for the continuity of the Davidic dynasty and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. David, the "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22), died a peaceful, natural death, an honorable end signified by his "sleeping with his fathers." This customary idiom underscores his passing as part of the natural order and joining his ancestors in a spiritual resting place, rather than indicating physical proximity in a single grave. His burial "in the City of David," Jerusalem, which he had established as the nation's political and spiritual center, symbolically and literally roots his legacy within the very heart of the kingdom. This act affirmed his irreplaceable status and ensured his historical remembrance, allowing his tomb to become a focal point, referred to by Peter in Acts 2 to contrast David's mortality with Christ's resurrection. David's physical end paradoxically ensures the continuation of the eternal Davidic covenant, setting the stage for Solomon's reign, the building of the Temple, and ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ, the true, eternal King, who is the Son of David, destined to rule forever on His father's throne. The verse therefore is not merely a historical record of death but a foundational moment in the divine narrative of kingship and salvation history.