1 Kings 6 13

1 Kings 6:13 kjv

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

1 Kings 6:13 nkjv

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel."

1 Kings 6:13 niv

And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel."

1 Kings 6:13 esv

And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel."

1 Kings 6:13 nlt

I will live among the Israelites and will never abandon my people Israel."

1 Kings 6 verses

1 Kings 6 13 Meaning

1 Kings 6:13 conveys a conditional divine promise from God to Israel. It states God's intent to dwell in the midst of His people and never abandon them. This assurance of God's abiding presence and steadfast loyalty is directly linked to Israel's obedience to His commands, statutes, and ordinances, as specified in the preceding verse (1 Kings 6:12). While the physical Temple serves as the visible locus for God's presence, the continuation of His dwelling and faithfulness is contingent upon the fidelity of His covenant people.

1 Kings 6 13 Context

1 Kings chapter 6 details King Solomon's construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a monumental undertaking, fulfilling the long-held desire, first expressed by King David, for a permanent dwelling place for God's Name. Amidst the detailed architectural and construction specifics (1 Kings 6:1-10, 14-38), verses 11-13 introduce a crucial divine interjection. These verses highlight that while the physical structure is important, God's actual presence within it and His continued faithfulness to Israel are not automatic outcomes of its completion. Instead, God's abiding presence is predicated on Israel's faithful adherence to His covenant stipulations. This re-emphasizes the Mosaic Covenant principles of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, applying them to the Temple era and the Davidic dynasty. Thus, verse 13 must be understood as the conditional consequence promised in verse 12, serving as a reminder that the magnificent Temple alone could not guarantee God's presence if His people abandoned their covenant obligations.

1 Kings 6 13 Word analysis

• and I will dwell: (Hebrew: wə·šā·ḵan·tî, וְשָׁכַנְתִּי). From the root šākan (שָׁכַן), meaning "to settle down," "to reside," or "to inhabit permanently." This verb is fundamental to the concept of God's dwelling with His people, connecting to the "Mishkan" (Tabernacle) of the wilderness. It implies a settled, stable, and active presence, not merely a transient visit. This presence is not one of containment within a structure, as God is omnipresent, but rather one of unique revelation and communion in a particular place among His people.

• among: (Hebrew: bə·ṯō·ḵ, בְּתוֹךְ). This preposition means "in the midst of," "in the inner part of," or "amongst." It emphasizes God's immanent and intimate presence within the collective body of Israel. God desires to be deeply intertwined with their national life, rather than being a distant deity.

• the people of Israel: (Hebrew: ʿam Yisra'el, עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל). This term signifies the covenant community chosen by God. It underscores that God's dwelling is personal and relational, directed toward those with whom He has established a special relationship. His commitment is to His people, affirming their unique status.

• and will not forsake: (Hebrew: wə·lō-ʾeʿ·zōḇ, וְלֹא-אֶעֱזֹב). From the verb ʿāzaḇ (עָזַב), meaning "to abandon," "to leave behind," "to desert," or "to cease from." The negative adverb lō ("not") preceding it creates a strong assurance of God's unwavering faithfulness. It signifies His commitment to maintain His relationship and support, preventing abandonment, even when Israel struggles. This promise reflects God's attribute of hesed, His steadfast love and covenant loyalty.

• my people Israel: (Hebrew: ʿam·mî Yisra'el, עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל). The addition of the possessive suffix "my" (-mî) further strengthens the intimate, covenantal bond. God personally claims them as His own, reiterating His deep commitment to this chosen nation, regardless of the challenges they face. This highlights His ongoing love and sovereign choice.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "and I will dwell among the people of Israel": This phrase articulates God's profound desire for intimate proximity and continuous presence with His chosen nation. It directly builds upon the Exodus tradition where the Tabernacle facilitated God's presence. With the Temple, God expresses His intent for an enduring physical locus of His presence as long as the covenant terms are met. This declaration undergirds the very purpose and significance of the Temple being built.
  • "and will not forsake my people Israel": This declaration serves as a powerful testament to God's steadfast loyalty and His covenant love. It's a re-affirmation of earlier promises, emphasizing God's enduring commitment despite potential human failings. The linking of dwelling and not forsaking highlights that God's active presence also implies His ongoing protection, provision, and continued relationship, provided Israel maintains their faithfulness.

1 Kings 6 13 Bonus section

• The Temple's Role vs. God's Immanence: This verse clarifies that the Temple was not intended to contain God, who cannot be limited by any building (1 Kings 8:27), but rather to be the specific, designated place where He would manifest His presence and interact uniquely with His people. It served as a symbolic meeting point, making God's abstract presence tangibly real for the Israelites, yet still bound by covenant loyalty.
• A Living Relationship: The conditional nature of this promise emphasizes that God seeks a living, dynamic relationship with His people, not mere ritualistic adherence. His "dwelling" and "not forsaking" are relational terms, implying an active communion that requires ongoing faithfulness from both parties (God's faithfulness is constant, but His manifest presence is contingent on Israel's response).
• Davidic Covenant Intertwined: This divine message ties directly into the promises made to David in 2 Samuel 7. God promised to establish David's dynasty and build a "house" for God's Name. 1 Kings 6:12-13 clarifies that while God would indeed build a "house," the perpetuity of His dwelling there and His continued presence with the Davidic line would still depend on the covenant fidelity of David's descendants and the nation.

1 Kings 6 13 Commentary

1 Kings 6:13 provides a divine interlude within the detailed account of Solomon's Temple construction, delivering a crucial theological principle: God's presence among His people is contingent upon their obedience. It is not the edifice itself, no matter how magnificent, that secures God's abode. Rather, God's dwelling (a return to the themes of Exodus and the Tabernacle) and His enduring fidelity are deeply rooted in Israel's faithfulness to His covenant laws, as expressly stated in 1 Kings 6:12. This serves as a vital reminder that outward religious observances or grand structures do not compel God's blessing if the heart of the covenant relationship—obedience and loyalty—is absent.

Historically, this warning proved prescient. While God did initially fill the Temple with His glory (1 Kings 8:10-11), the subsequent spiritual decline and idolatry of Israel ultimately led to the withdrawal of His glorious presence (Ezek 8-11) and the Temple's destruction, fulfilling the negative side of the conditional promise (1 Kings 9:6-9). This highlights that while God's ultimate covenant love for His people as a collective would not fail (Rom 11), His particular dwelling in a physical place was not an unconditional guarantee but a privilege sustained by obedience.

In the broader scope of biblical theology, this verse foreshadows a greater dwelling. The ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell among His people is seen in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14). In the New Covenant, the emphasis shifts from a physical building to a spiritual one, where individual believers and the corporate Church become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19, Eph 2:21-22), and God indeed dwells within His people, empowering them to walk in His statutes. The final and perfected vision of God's dwelling is in the New Heavens and New Earth, where "the dwelling place of God is with man" forever (Rev 21:3), realizing an unhindered, eternal fellowship.