1 Kings 3 6

1 Kings 3:6 kjv

And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

1 Kings 3:6 nkjv

And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

1 Kings 3:6 niv

Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

1 Kings 3:6 esv

And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.

1 Kings 3:6 nlt

Solomon replied, "You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.

1 Kings 3 verses

1 Kings 3 6 Meaning

King Solomon acknowledges God's great and enduring steadfast love extended to his father, King David. This love was evident because David lived his life in faithful, righteous, and upright obedience before the Lord. As a direct demonstration and continuation of this divine steadfast love, God has fulfilled His promise by allowing Solomon to ascend to David's throne that very day.

1 Kings 3 6 Context

This verse is part of Solomon’s prayer and address to God during his visit to the high place at Gibeon, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings. Gibeon, while not Jerusalem, was at this time the most prominent place of worship where the Tabernacle, constructed by Moses in the wilderness, resided. Solomon, having just begun his reign, recognized the immense responsibility and sought divine assistance. His opening remarks, starting from verse 6, establish his understanding of God's covenant faithfulness, particularly towards his father David. He acknowledges that his own ascension to the throne is a direct fulfillment of God's promise to David, a promise founded upon David’s own genuine devotion. This acknowledgment precedes his pivotal request for wisdom to govern God's people.

1 Kings 3 6 Word analysis

• You have shown (וְאַתָּה עָשִׂיתָ – ve'atta asita): Literally "And You have made/done." In this context, with "steadfast love" as the object, it signifies 'You have actively rendered' or 'You have bestowed' This verb highlights God's initiative and sovereign action.
• great steadfast love (חֶסֶד גָּדוֹל – ḥesed gadol):
  • Ḥesed: A profound Hebrew theological term meaning loyal love, covenant faithfulness, lovingkindness, or mercy. It denotes active benevolence and fidelity, especially within a relational bond. It describes God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
  • Gadol: Means "great," amplifying the quality and abundance of God's loyal love, signifying its remarkable and overwhelming nature.
• to Your servant David my father (לְעַבְדְּךָ לְדָוִד אָבִי – le'avdekha leDāvīd avi):
  • ʿEved: "Servant." This is an honorable title indicating a special, dedicated relationship with God, often implying an appointed role or leadership position (e.g., Moses, Abraham, David).
  • David my father: Links Solomon directly to the promises made to David, emphasizing his legitimacy and inheritance of God's covenant with David.
• inasmuch as he walked before You (כַּאֲשֶׁר הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנֶיךָ – ka'asher hithallekh lephānekha):
  • Ka'asher: "As" or "inasmuch as," denoting a correlation or reason.
  • Hithallekh: The Hithpael form of "walk." It signifies a consistent manner of life, a sustained conduct or behavior. Biblically, "walking" (especially with or before God) implies one's entire lifestyle, moral conduct, and direction of life.
  • Ləphānekha: "Before You." Implies living in God's presence, under His watchful eye, indicating accountability, transparency, and a conscious awareness of His omnipresence.
• in faithfulness (בֶּאֱמֶת – be'ĕmeth): From 'emet, meaning "truth," "reliability," "fidelity," or "integrity." It speaks to genuine sincerity and consistency in one's relationship and adherence to God's ways.
• in righteousness (בִּצְדָקָה – biṣdāqāh): Refers to moral uprightness, acting in conformity with God's standards of justice and ethical conduct. It is doing what is right in the eyes of God and others.
• and in uprightness of heart (וּבְיִשְׁרַת לֵבָב – uvīshrath lēvāḇ):
  • Yishrath: "Uprightness," "straightness."
  • Lēvāḇ: "Heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the core of a person – encompassing intellect, will, emotions, and moral intent. "Uprightness of heart" speaks to internal purity, integrity of motive, and sincerity, not just external actions.
• You have continued for him (וַתִּשְׁמָר־לוֹ – vattishmōr-lo): From shamar, "to keep," "to guard," "to preserve." It indicates God's active, ongoing vigilance and protective preservation of His promise and favor towards David. This isn't just a past act but a continuous reality.
• this great steadfast love (אֶת־הַחֶסֶד הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה – 'et-haḥesed ha'gadol ha'zeh): Repetition emphasizes the specific and palpable nature of God's loyalty; "this" makes it a concrete, undeniable manifestation.
• and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day (וַתִּתֶּן־לוֹ בֵּן יוֹשֵׁב עַל־כִּסְאוֹ כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה – vattitten-lo ben yōshev 'al-kis'o kayyōm ha'zeh): The tangible proof and direct fulfillment of the great steadfast love. Solomon's very presence on the throne is the undeniable evidence of God's fidelity to the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7). "This day" grounds the divine promise in current reality.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "You have shown great steadfast love to Your servant David my father": This phrase introduces God's character as One who exercises profound and loyal love, particularly within a covenant context. It frames David as a recipient of extraordinary divine favor.
  • "inasmuch as he walked before You in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart": This section articulates David's comprehensive fidelity. It's not just a single act, but a consistent "walk" (way of life) characterized by sincerity (faithfulness), ethical living (righteousness), and internal moral purity (uprightness of heart). This tripartite description encompasses David's whole being and conduct before God.
  • "You have continued this great steadfast love for him, and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day": This climactic phrase demonstrates how God's initial "great steadfast love" (past action) is "continued" and concretely manifested (present action). The continuation is explicitly seen in the dynastic succession – Solomon's current kingship is the living testament to God's faithfulness to David and the covenant promise. This connection shows a clear divine reward and fulfillment rooted in God's character and David's responsive life.

1 Kings 3 6 Bonus section

• The Significance of Ḥesed: God's ḥesed is more than just mercy; it's a deep, unwavering covenant loyalty. While the covenant itself (2 Sam 7) is largely unconditional regarding the perpetuity of David's dynasty, the experience of blessings within that covenant, for individuals like David and later Solomon, was often conditioned by their obedient "walk." Here, Solomon recognizes this intricate relationship, not as earning salvation, but as living in a way that delights God and fulfills His purpose through His chosen servant.
• David as a Standard: This verse sets up David as a standard for future kings regarding their moral and spiritual walk. Subsequent narratives in Kings often judge rulers based on whether they "walked in the way of David their father," highlighting David’s legacy of devotion as a crucial benchmark, despite his personal failures.
• Reciprocity and Covenant: While salvation is by God's grace, the biblical narrative often highlights a covenantal reciprocity. God initiates with ḥesed and promises, and humanity responds with faithful obedience, which in turn leads to the flourishing of promised blessings. Solomon here captures this dynamic – David's walk elicited God's preservation of the great ḥesed.

1 Kings 3 6 Commentary

In 1 Kings 3:6, Solomon's words are not flattery but a profound theological observation about God's character and His interaction with humanity. He articulates that God’s great ḥesed (steadfast, covenant love) was shown to David, not as unmerited favoritism entirely, but in direct correlation with David’s genuine walk with God. David’s life was marked by active faithfulness, public righteousness, and internal uprightness, providing a basis for God's continuous preservation of the covenant promise. Solomon then cites his own accession to the throne "this day" as the ultimate, tangible evidence of this unbroken divine loyalty. This foundational understanding of God's faithfulness and responsiveness to obedience is crucial as Solomon prepares to ask for wisdom to govern God's people.