1 Kings 6 11

1 Kings 6:11 kjv

And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,

1 Kings 6:11 nkjv

Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying:

1 Kings 6:11 niv

The word of the LORD came to Solomon:

1 Kings 6:11 esv

Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon,

1 Kings 6:11 nlt

Then the LORD gave this message to Solomon:

1 Kings 6 verses

1 Kings 6 11 Meaning

1 Kings 6:11 signifies a crucial moment during the construction of Solomon's Temple where the Lord Himself directly intervened to deliver a specific message to King Solomon. This verse serves as a divine interjection, pausing the architectural description of the Temple to emphasize that God is about to articulate His will regarding the spiritual requirements and conditional presence associated with the sanctuary. It underlines the divine origin and paramount authority of the message that follows, indicating that God's word, not human effort alone, defines the Temple's ultimate purpose and significance.

1 Kings 6 11 Context

1 Kings chapter 6 intricately details the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon, including its dimensions, materials, and internal design. Verse 11 introduces a direct divine communication from the Lord to Solomon, notably interrupting the architectural narrative. Up to this point, the focus has been on human labor and materials, emphasizing Solomon's impressive feat of engineering and resourcefulness. This divine word is pivotal because it immediately precedes 1 Kings 6:12-13, which articulates the conditional nature of God's presence and blessing in the Temple: His promise to dwell among the Israelites and establish Solomon's throne is entirely contingent upon Israel's (and Solomon's) faithful obedience to His commandments, statutes, and judgments. Historically, this occurred during the height of Israel's unified kingdom, under a prosperous king, signaling that even in times of national glory and religious building projects, God's priorities remain rooted in covenant relationship and righteous living, not merely external displays of devotion.

1 Kings 6 11 Word analysis

• Now (וַיְהִי - vayehi): This Hebrew conjunction typically signals a new event or a significant turn in the narrative. Here, it marks a shift from detailing the physical construction of the Temple to conveying a direct and essential message from God, underscoring its immediate importance and unique significance within the account.

• the word (דְּבַר - devar): Derived from the verb dabar ("to speak"), devar refers to a distinct, authoritative utterance. It denotes more than just sound; it implies content that conveys meaning, purpose, and often a command or declaration. In this context, it is God's personal and binding message.

• of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the Tetragrammaton, the sacred, personal covenant name of God, frequently translated as "the LORD." It signifies the unique, self-existent God who establishes covenants and faithfully relates to His people. This emphasizes the divine source of the message, distinguishing it from human wisdom or tradition.

• came (הָיָה - hayah): This versatile Hebrew verb denotes existence, occurrence, or coming into being. Here, it conveys that the divine "word" was not a vague inspiration but a tangible and definite arrival, making clear that God's communication was a real event, directly received by Solomon.

• to Solomon (אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹה - el-shelomoh): This prepositional phrase identifies the precise recipient of God's message. It underscores Solomon's singular position and responsibility as the king building God's dwelling place, making him directly accountable for the divine stipulations that follow.

• "Now the word of the Lord came": This recurring Old Testament formula, common in prophetic literature (e.g., Jer 1:4, Ezek 1:3), establishes immediate divine authority for the subsequent communication. It is a powerful declaration that the upcoming message originates directly from God, setting it apart as profoundly significant and binding. This phrase intentionally halts the human-centered narrative of construction to insert God's perspective and ultimate conditions for His indwelling.

1 Kings 6 11 Bonus section

The timing of this divine communication is significant. It occurs during the construction, not after its completion, preempting any belief that God's presence would be automatically guaranteed upon the Temple's physical readiness. This serves as an immediate reminder of covenant responsibility even in moments of great achievement. This interruption highlights God's ongoing involvement and His sovereignty over even the most sacred human endeavors, reinforcing that His plan is contingent on obedience, not mere performance. It also sets up a strong polemic against the understanding common in ancient Near Eastern religions, where deities were believed to be automatically placated or confined by grand temple constructs; here, Yahweh transcends such limitations and conditions His presence upon moral and covenant faithfulness.

1 Kings 6 11 Commentary

1 Kings 6:11 is a profound interruption in the midst of the Temple's physical construction, asserting God's proprietorship and setting the spiritual terms for His dwelling among Israel. It clearly establishes that the most magnificent man-made edifice could not independently secure God's presence; rather, divine favor and presence were contingent upon Solomon's, and by extension, Israel's, obedience to the Mosaic covenant. This short verse functions as a divine check on human pride or presumption, reminding that elaborate rituals or impressive structures do not guarantee spiritual blessing apart from a living, obedient relationship with God. It foreshadows the New Testament truth that God's true dwelling is not ultimately in physical buildings but in His people, those who keep His word and follow His ways. The emphasis is always on the faithful heart over the material edifice.