1 Kings 4:25 kjv
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
1 Kings 4:25 nkjv
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
1 Kings 4:25 niv
During Solomon's lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree.
1 Kings 4:25 esv
And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.
1 Kings 4:25 nlt
During the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety. And from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, each family had its own home and garden.
1 Kings 4 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 25:18-19 | ...keep my statutes... and you shall dwell in the land in safety. And the land shall yield her fruit... | Promise of safety and abundance for obedience. |
| Deut 12:10 | But when you go over the Jordan... then he will give you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety. | Fulfillment of rest from enemies in the promised land. |
| Judg 20:1 | Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba... | Earliest mention of full territorial extent. |
| 1 Sam 3:20 | And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. | Common phrase for the entirety of Israel. |
| 1 Kgs 5:4 | But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor misfortune. | Solomon's own testimony to the peace in his reign. |
| 1 Chr 22:9 | Behold, a son shall be born... a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. For his name shall be Solomon... | Prophecy of Solomon as a bringer of peace ("rest"). |
| Psa 4:8 | In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. | Individual security comes from God. |
| Psa 72:7 | In his days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. | Messianic psalm, conditions similar to Solomon's reign. |
| Isa 2:4 | ...they shall beat their swords into plowshares... neither shall they learn war anymore. | Prophecy of future global peace, similar ideal. |
| Mic 4:4 | But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid... | Eschatological promise of future universal peace. |
| Zech 3:10 | In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree. | Messianic era, communal peace and security. |
| Jer 23:6 | In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’ | Future Messianic king bringing lasting safety. |
| Ezek 34:25 | ...and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. | Promise of restored safety for a regathered Israel. |
| Gen 49:10 | The scepter shall not depart from Judah... until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. | Foretells a ruler bringing obedience and peace. |
| Deut 28:1-10 | ...If you obey... the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations... all the peoples of the earth shall see... | Blessings for obedience, resulting in peace and recognition. |
| 2 Sam 7:10-11 | And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place... | God's promise of a secure dwelling for His people. |
| Prov 1:33 | But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster. | Wisdom brings security, aligning with Solomon's wisdom. |
| Jer 30:10 | Then fear not, O Jacob my servant... for I will save you... and you shall be at rest and at ease, and none shall make you afraid. | Promise of future restoration and lack of fear. |
| Joel 2:22 | Be not afraid, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; for the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine yield their full strength. | Image of prosperity and lack of fear for nature itself. |
| Heb 4:8-9 | For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another day. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. | Ultimate divine rest foreshadowed by earthly peace. |
| Rev 21:4 | He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore... | Ultimate peace and security in the new heavens and earth. |
1 Kings 4 verses
1 Kings 4 25 Meaning
1 Kings 4:25 describes a period of unparalleled peace, security, and prosperity that Judah and Israel enjoyed during the reign of King Solomon. Every individual citizen experienced a profound sense of safety, being able to live peacefully on their own property, represented by the imagery of "under his vine and under his fig tree." This idyllic condition extended throughout the entire united kingdom, from its northernmost boundary at Dan to its southernmost point at Beersheba, signifying a comprehensive and widespread stability across the land. This era was characterized by an absence of fear, external threats, and internal strife, reflecting God's blessings upon the obedient king and his people.
1 Kings 4 25 Context
1 Kings Chapter 4 elaborates on the unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and administrative organization of King Solomon's reign, marking the golden age of the united Israelite kingdom. Verses 20-34 detail the immense resources at his disposal, the vastness of his empire, his international recognition for wisdom, and the lavish provisions for his court. Verse 25 fits seamlessly into this description, specifically highlighting the societal and national tranquility that characterized this period. Historically and culturally, living "under his vine and under his fig tree" was the ultimate symbol of a stable and prosperous government where citizens owned their land, harvested its fruits, and lived free from the threat of war or invasion—an ideal rarely fully achieved in the turbulent ancient Near East. The phrase "from Dan even to Beersheba" emphasizes the extraordinary territorial reach and the unified peace experienced across the entire breadth of Israel's inhabited land, signifying the high point of its territorial fulfillment promised by God. This security stands in stark contrast to previous periods of invasion and internal strife, showcasing Solomon's reign as a pinnacle of divine blessing.
1 Kings 4 25 Word analysis
- And Judah and Israel: Signifies the unity of the entire Israelite kingdom under Solomon's rule, representing all twelve tribes. While David conquered, Solomon reigned over the complete, extensive territory.
- dwelt safely: Hebrew: yashav lavetaḥ (ישב לבטח). Yashav means "to sit," "dwell," "inhabit." Lavetaḥ means "in safety," "securely," "confidently," or "without anxiety." This emphasizes a profound state of peace and internal/external security, free from any threat or fear, a direct outcome of God's blessing.
- every man: Hebrew: ’Ish (איש). Highlights the individual, personal experience of peace and prosperity, indicating that this secure condition was not limited to the royal court or elite but extended to common people throughout the kingdom.
- under his vine and under his fig tree: A classic Hebrew idiom (Mi 4:4, Zec 3:10) symbolizing agrarian prosperity, private ownership of land, domestic tranquility, personal peace, and security from invasion. It portrays a scene of undisturbed domestic bliss and the enjoyment of one's own labor without fear of loss or conflict.
- from Dan even to Beersheba: Hebrew: mi-Dan ve’ad Be’er Sheva (מִדָּן וְעַד־בְּאֵר־שָׁבַע). A proverbial geographical expression denoting the northernmost (Dan) and southernmost (Beersheba) points of Israel's tribal territories, encompassing the entire extent of the land. It signifies the full, widespread nature of Solomon's dominion and the peace that covered every part of it.
- all the days of Solomon: Limits this specific golden age to the duration of Solomon's reign. It underscores the exceptional nature of this period, directly linking this peace to Solomon's God-given wisdom and favor. It also subtly hints at the transient nature of even such divinely blessed earthly kingdoms.
1 Kings 4 25 Bonus section
The profound peace and rest enjoyed during Solomon's reign, particularly as depicted in this verse, are deeply connected to the biblical concept of menuchah (rest). This divine rest was sought from the time of the Exodus, partially achieved with Joshua's conquests, but fully realized in the period of Solomon's rule over a united and stable kingdom. However, even this "rest" was temporal and conditional, highlighting that complete and everlasting rest could not come from an earthly king. Solomon's reign, therefore, serves as a rich typology, pointing towards the ultimate "Shalom" (wholeness, peace, well-being) that would be established through the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and Prince of Peace, who brings spiritual security and an eternal kingdom where every believer finds true rest. The idyllic scene of individual security and flourishing, then, is a divinely granted blessing, temporarily manifesting God's covenant promises, but also directing the hope of His people toward a future, perfect fulfillment.
1 Kings 4 25 Commentary
1 Kings 4:25 vividly depicts the zenith of Israel's prosperity and peace under King Solomon. It serves as a historical testament to God's faithfulness in granting rest to His people, a theme that echoes throughout the Old Testament from the land promises to Abraham and the ultimate rest promised in Christ. The deep, pervasive security signified by "dwelt safely" implies a land free from both internal strife and external invasion, a remarkable achievement for any ancient Near Eastern kingdom. The beautiful imagery of "every man under his vine and under his fig tree" captures a profound domestic tranquility and personal ownership, embodying a dream-like state of peace where citizens are undisturbed and can enjoy the fruits of their labor. The phrase "from Dan even to Beersheba" underscores the unprecedented geographic breadth of this peace, extending throughout the entire unified kingdom. While glorious and unmatched, this peace was tied to Solomon's tenure, ultimately foreshadowing the more perfect and enduring peace to be brought by the Messianic King, Jesus, who offers a rest and security far surpassing any earthly kingdom. This verse thus stands as a historical ideal and a prophetic signpost.