1 Kings 5 4

1 Kings 5:4 kjv

But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

1 Kings 5:4 nkjv

But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence.

1 Kings 5:4 niv

But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.

1 Kings 5:4 esv

But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.

1 Kings 5:4 nlt

But now the LORD my God has given me peace on every side; I have no enemies, and all is well.

1 Kings 5 verses

1 Kings 5 4 Meaning

1 Kings 5:4 describes a pivotal period of peace and security divinely granted to King Solomon at the beginning of his reign. This comprehensive tranquility, signified by the absence of external enemies or internal calamities, was a direct fulfillment of God's promise and enabled Solomon to fulfill the long-awaited task of building the Temple for the Lord, a project his father David could not undertake due to constant warfare. It portrays God's provision for His people's and His kingdom's stability, essential for sacred undertakings.

1 Kings 5 4 Context

1 Kings chapter 5 begins with Solomon's preparations for building the Temple in Jerusalem. Verse 4 is King Solomon's direct statement to Hiram, King of Tyre, explaining why he, unlike his father David, is now able to embark on such a grand project. David was a warrior king, constantly engaged in battles, as referenced in 1 Kings 5:3. Solomon's reign, conversely, begins with extraordinary peace and stability.

Historically, this period marks a peak in Israel's national security and prosperity under the unified monarchy, contrasting sharply with the turbulent period of the Judges and David's often beleaguered reign. This unprecedented peace was understood as a direct divine blessing, fulfilling earlier promises made to David about his son's reign being peaceful (1 Chron 22:9). Culturally, achieving such comprehensive rest and the absence of adversaries was considered the epitome of divine favor and the mark of a blessed king and nation. This peace was crucial for marshalling the vast resources and manpower needed for the Temple's construction without diversion by military threats or internal strife. Implicitly, this passage functions as a polemic against the often chaotic and unstable reigns of rulers in surrounding nations, demonstrating Yahweh's unique power to bestow comprehensive shalom (peace, wholeness, security) upon His chosen king and people, a stability that other gods could not offer.

1 Kings 5 4 Word analysis

• But now: Indicates a significant transition or turning point. It highlights a change from the preceding era of David's warfare (as mentioned in 1 Kgs 5:3) to Solomon's current state of peace, signifying a new phase of divine activity and a new era for Israel.
• the LORD my God: "LORD" (YHWH - יהוה), emphasizing God's covenantal and personal relationship with Solomon. "My God" (אֱלֹהַי - Elohai), showing personal acknowledgment and allegiance, stressing the source of this peace.
• has given me rest: (נָתַן לִי נוּחַ - natan li nuach).
  • "given" (נָתַן - natan): Implies an active bestowal from God, not something Solomon achieved through military might alone. It underscores divine favor and agency.
  • "rest" (נוּחַ - nuakh): This Hebrew term signifies more than mere cessation of conflict. It encompasses comprehensive security, tranquility, a settled state, and a lack of disturbance. It's the security that allows for building and flourishing, fulfilling God's promise of true rest in the land (Deut 12:10).
• on every side: (מִסָּבִיב - mis-sa-viv). This phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the peace. It means "all around," "from every direction," signifying that there were no threats or vulnerabilities from any border or quarter, highlighting complete security.
• there is neither adversary nor misfortune:
  • "neither adversary" (אֵין שָׂטָן - ein satan):
    • "adversary" (שָׂטָן - satan): In this context, it refers to any opposing force, human foe, political opponent, or national enemy that could bring conflict. It is not necessarily the supernatural "Satan" as in later biblical texts but encompasses any form of direct opposition to the king's rule or the nation's peace. The absence of such an "adversary" means external peace and internal political stability.
  • "nor misfortune" (וְאֵין פֶּגַע רָע - ve'ein pega ra'):
    • "misfortune" (פֶּגַע - pega'): Signifies a mishap, a calamity, an attack, an injurious occurrence, or something disruptive that falls upon someone.
    • "evil" (רָע - ra'): Means bad, evil, disaster, or calamity.
    • Combined, this phrase suggests the absence of any destructive or calamitous event, whether external (beyond a human adversary) or internal (e.g., famine, plague, rebellion). It conveys a state of overall well-being, freedom from adverse occurrences that might disrupt stability or building efforts.

Words-group analysis:

• "the LORD my God has given me rest": This highlights God's initiative and sovereign act in providing the ideal conditions for Solomon's reign and, crucially, for the construction of the Temple. It grounds Solomon's ability not in his own strength, but in divine benevolence and faithfulness to covenant promises.
• "rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune": This phrase paints a picture of complete and multifaceted peace (shalom). It describes not merely the absence of war, but a secure, stable, and prosperous state free from all forms of disruptive elements—human adversaries and natural/unforeseen calamities. This profound peace is explicitly the prerequisite for dedicating resources and focus to God's sacred work.

1 Kings 5 4 Bonus section

• The name Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה - Shelomo) is directly derived from the Hebrew root for "peace" (shalom), prophetically pointing to the defining characteristic of his reign, a time of unprecedented peace.
• The peace described here enabled not just the Temple's construction, but also the extensive trade and cultural exchange mentioned elsewhere in 1 Kings 5 and 10, highlighting the prosperity that accompanies divine favor and stability.
• The specific mention of the absence of "adversary" and "misfortune" implies a comprehensive spiritual, physical, and political shielding by God, a type of blessed tranquility rarely experienced by any nation, then or now.
• This verse establishes the principle that conditions of peace and stability are conducive, if not essential, for focused devotion and major projects in God's service, implying a spiritual tranquility that allows believers to build their "spiritual houses" (Eph 2:21-22).

1 Kings 5 4 Commentary

1 Kings 5:4 serves as a critical bridge between God's promise to David (2 Sam 7) and its fulfillment through Solomon, allowing for the Temple's construction. Solomon's declaration of total peace ("rest on every side, neither adversary nor misfortune") underscores a unique moment in Israelite history, contrasting sharply with David's reign of incessant warfare. This comprehensive shalom was not merely geopolitical; it encompassed societal stability and freedom from internal strife or natural disasters. It was understood as a direct, unmerited gift from God, specifically designed to enable the focus on a monumental undertaking: building a permanent dwelling place for Yahweh. This peace validates God's faithfulness to His covenant, signifying that when His people are in alignment with His will (exemplified by Solomon's obedience and wisdom), He provides the necessary environment for His purposes to be realized. The verse reminds believers that God provides what is needed for His work and that spiritual peace (rest) is essential for carrying out God's divine calling.