1 Kings 2 3

1 Kings 2:3 kjv

And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

1 Kings 2:3 nkjv

And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;

1 Kings 2:3 niv

and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go

1 Kings 2:3 esv

and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

1 Kings 2:3 nlt

Observe the requirements of the LORD your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.

1 Kings 2 verses

1 Kings 2 3 Meaning

King David's deathbed command to his son Solomon emphasizes that Solomon's reign, and indeed his life, should be founded upon steadfast obedience to the Lord's commandments. This comprehensive charge to walk in God's ways and diligently observe all facets of His revealed Law—statutes, commandments, judgments, and testimonies—is presented as the condition for prosperity and success in all royal and personal undertakings. It directly connects God's faithfulness and blessing to human obedience, underscoring that true wisdom for leadership stems from covenant loyalty.

1 Kings 2 3 Context

1 Kings 2:3 is part of David's final instructions and charge to his son Solomon as David lies on his deathbed. David has recently designated Solomon as his successor and solidified his reign amidst potential challenges. This particular verse forms the spiritual core of David's counsel, serving as a legacy passed from the greatest king of Israel to his designated heir. It immediately precedes David's instructions regarding justice for individuals who had either supported or opposed his reign, underscoring that even practical, political actions must be rooted in covenant faithfulness to the Lord. It sets the spiritual tone for Solomon's future as king, directly linking his success to his fidelity to God's divine Law, establishing a key theme that will resonate throughout the books of Kings: the well-being of the kingdom directly depends on the king's obedience to the covenant. This passage implicitly recalls the Deuteronomic theology for kingship (Deut 17) and the broader conditional aspects of the Mosaic Covenant regarding blessing and curse.

1 Kings 2 3 Word analysis

• and keep (וְשָׁמַרְתָּ - wĕšāmartā):

  • Word Level: From the root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning to guard, preserve, observe, or pay close attention. It implies diligent heed, careful watchfulness, and active obedience, not merely passive acknowledgment.
  • Significance: It is a strong imperative, signaling the absolute necessity of diligent action on Solomon's part. It's more than just knowing the Law; it's living it out actively.

• the charge (מִשְׁמֶרֶת - mišmeret):

  • Word Level: Refers to an obligation, a duty, something to be kept, a divine injunction. It's a entrusted responsibility.
  • Significance: Highlights that obedience is not optional but a solemn responsibility given by God. For Solomon, this includes his kingly duties.

• of the LORD your God (לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - laYHWH ĕlōheykha):

  • Word Level: יהוה (YHWH - "The Lord," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His unchanging, faithful nature) and אֱלֹהֶיךָ (Eloheikha - "your God," emphasizing the personal covenant relationship with Solomon).
  • Significance: Underscores that the "charge" originates from the ultimate divine authority and is part of a personal, exclusive relationship. It’s God’s mandate, not David’s, to Solomon.

• to walk (לָלֶכֶת - lālekhet):

  • Word Level: Infinitive construct of הָלַךְ (halakh), meaning to go, to walk. Metaphorically used for one's way of life or conduct.
  • Significance: Implies a continuous, lifestyle commitment, a journey of living according to divine principles. It’s not about isolated acts, but a consistent trajectory of life.

• in His ways (בִּדְרָכָיו - bidrākhāv):

  • Word Level: דֶּרֶךְ (derekh) means road, path, or way; metaphorically, a manner of life or course of conduct. "His ways" refers to God's character, principles, and divine standards.
  • Significance: To "walk in His ways" means to embody God's moral attributes, such as justice, righteousness, mercy, and truth, reflecting His nature in one's actions. It implies conformity to divine ethical standards.

• to keep (לִשְׁמֹר - lišmōr):

  • Word Level: Another form of שָׁמַר (shamar), reinforcing the idea of careful observance.
  • Significance: Repetition emphasizes the importance of diligent attention and adherence.

• His statutes (חֻקֹּתָיו - ḥuqōttāv):

  • Word Level: חֹק (ḥoq) refers to a prescribed custom, decree, or ordinance. Often relates to divine requirements or regulations.
  • Significance: Points to the fixed, unchanging, and divinely ordained rules for living within the covenant, often concerning rituals or social order.

• His commandments (מִצְוֺתָיו - mitzvōtāv):

  • Word Level: מִצְוָה (mitzvah) refers to a specific command, injunction, or precept given by God.
  • Significance: Encompasses all direct divine instructions and moral precepts, like the Ten Commandments.

• His judgments (מִשְׁפָּטָיו - mišpāṭāv):

  • Word Level: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) refers to a just decision, ordinance, or verdict; laws governing social and ethical conduct derived from divine justice.
  • Significance: Relates to the divine principles of justice and righteousness, especially how one interacts with others and exercises fair judgment.

• and His testimonies (וְעֵדֹתָיו - wĕʿēdōtāv):

  • Word Level: עֵדוּת (ʿedut) refers to a solemn declaration, an affirmation, or a warning; often used for the covenant stipulations and the divine revelation as a whole, specifically the foundational witness of God’s will.
  • Significance: Refers to divine precepts serving as a witness to God’s character and covenant relationship, reminding Israel of their covenant obligations. Together, these four terms ("statutes, commandments, judgments, testimonies") comprehensively describe the full breadth of God's revealed Torah.

• as it is written (כַּכָּתוּב - kakkātūv):

  • Word Level: From כְּ (ka-), "as" or "according to," and כָּתוּב (katūv), passive participle "written."
  • Significance: Appeals to the divine authority and established written revelation. It points Solomon to a fixed, objective standard for his rule.

• in the Law of Moses (בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה - bətōrat mōsheh):

  • Word Level: תּוֹרָה (torah) meaning "instruction," "teaching," often specifically referring to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament).
  • Significance: Clearly identifies the source of these laws as the divinely inspired instructions given through Moses, affirming its binding nature for Israel's king. It’s the foundational covenant document.

• that you may prosper (לְמַעַן תַּשְׂכִּיל - ləmaʿan taśkīl):

  • Word Level: לְמַעַן (lemaʿan) meaning "in order that," indicating purpose or result. תַּשְׂכִּיל (taśkīl) from שָׂכַל (śākhal), meaning to act wisely, succeed, be prosperous, or gain insight.
  • Significance: This is a promised consequence of obedience. Biblical "prosperity" is often holistic, encompassing success in endeavors, divine favor, insight, and overall well-being, not just material wealth.

• in all that you do and wherever you turn (בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה וְאֶל כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תִּפְנֶה - bəkol ’ăšer taʿăśeh wə’el kol ’ăšer tifneh):

  • Words-group analysis: This is an expression of completeness and totality. It signifies that divine blessing and success will apply to every single action, decision, and direction Solomon undertakes, irrespective of scope or location.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that obedience offers an all-encompassing, pervasive blessing covering all aspects of his life and kingship.

1 Kings 2 3 Bonus section

This verse subtly underscores the uniqueness of Israelite kingship compared to contemporary Near Eastern monarchs. While surrounding nations saw their kings as divine or semi-divine, acting above the law, the king of Israel was emphatically under the Law of God. This polemical aspect implicitly refutes the idea of absolute human rule; instead, it establishes divine law as the supreme authority even for the highest human office. This sets a precedent for righteous leadership and accountability before God.

Furthermore, the emphasis on the "Law of Moses" points back to Sinai, establishing continuity with God's covenant with the entire nation. Solomon, as king, embodies the national responsibility to walk in God's ways, meaning his actions directly impact the nation's spiritual and physical destiny. His obedience (or disobedience) has national consequences, illustrating the biblical principle of corporate solidarity and representative headship. The longevity and stability of the Davidic dynasty promised in 2 Samuel 7 were, in their immediate experience, tied to this ongoing faithfulness.

1 Kings 2 3 Commentary

David's final charge to Solomon in 1 Kings 2:3 is not merely a piece of paternal advice, but a profound theological declaration about the true nature of kingship and national prosperity in Israel. It establishes obedience to God's covenant as the foundational principle for a blessed and successful reign. This goes beyond moralistic platitudes; it connects the king's actions directly to the divine will expressed in the Law of Moses. The comprehensive list of divine mandates—statutes, commandments, judgments, and testimonies—underscores that Solomon's loyalty must extend to every facet of God's revelation.

This instruction serves as a continuation of Deuteronomic theology (e.g., Deut 17:18-20; Josh 1:7-8), which emphasizes that Israel's well-being, and particularly that of its king, is directly conditional upon faithful adherence to the Lord's instructions. Prosperity (sakal) here means far more than just material gain; it denotes deep wisdom, discernment, good success in fulfilling one's purpose, and a flourishing life under divine favor. For a king, this implied stable rule, wise judgments, protection from enemies, and a prosperous nation.

David's exhortation is a reminder that even a king is subject to a higher authority, that of Yahweh, Israel's true King. Solomon's sovereignty is delegated, and his legitimacy and success hinge upon living "in His ways"—meaning to adopt God's moral character as his own operational standard. The fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7) regarding a lasting dynasty, though ultimately unconditional in God's faithfulness, had a conditional aspect in its outworking through specific kings, requiring their obedience to enjoy immediate blessings and a peaceful reign. Tragically, Solomon himself, and many kings who followed, would eventually stray from this core principle, leading to decline and division. This verse thus stands as a crucial interpretive lens for the entire historical narrative that follows in Kings, constantly reminding the reader of the standard by which all subsequent kings are measured.

Examples of practical application include:

• A leader prioritizing ethical governance rooted in justice and righteousness over mere political expediency.
• An individual making daily choices guided by biblical principles, trusting that such obedience leads to a truly prosperous life (in a holistic sense) as defined by God.
• Emphasizing character and integrity as prerequisites for long-term success in any endeavor, aligning one's actions with God's revealed will.