1 Kings 8 15

1 Kings 8:15 kjv

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

1 Kings 8:15 nkjv

And he said: "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying,

1 Kings 8:15 niv

Then he said: "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his own hand has fulfilled what he promised with his own mouth to my father David. For he said,

1 Kings 8:15 esv

And he said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying,

1 Kings 8:15 nlt

"Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise he made to my father, David. For he told my father,

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 15 Meaning

Solomon declares God's faithfulness at the Temple dedication. He acknowledges that the LORD God of Israel, who directly spoke promises to his father King David, has now precisely and powerfully brought those very words to completion with His own hand, specifically concerning the construction of the Temple. It is a moment of profound thanksgiving for divine reliability and covenant fulfillment.

1 Kings 8 15 Context

1 Kings 8:15 is part of King Solomon's speech and prayer dedicating the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. This follows the arduous construction period (1 Kings 6-7). The preceding verses (8:12-14) describe Solomon addressing the people, emphasizing God's choice to dwell in thick darkness (a cloud of glory) within the Temple. Verse 15 marks the transition to Solomon's personal address and benediction, where he blesses God for His absolute fidelity. It establishes the theological foundation for the grand prayer that follows, where Solomon petitions God to hear the prayers offered from this House. The historical context is the pinnacle of the Davidic dynasty's prosperity, with the Temple symbolizing the permanent presence of YHWH among His people in fulfillment of earlier promises to Abraham, Moses, and David. It also highlights the shift from a movable tabernacle to a fixed dwelling place, centralizing Israel's worship and national identity around God's manifested presence.

1 Kings 8 15 Word analysis

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayomer): Indicates a formal address or proclamation, a deliberate speech by Solomon.
• Blessed be (בָּרוּךְ - baruch): Not a passive state, but an active declaration of praise and adoration directed to God, acknowledging His inherent goodness, worthiness, and action. It reflects gratitude and worship.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His intimate relationship with Israel and His unchangeable, ever-present nature. This is the God who makes and keeps covenants.
• God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - Elohei Yisrael): Specifies the unique relationship between YHWH and the nation of Israel, emphasizing His chosen people and the covenant made with them. He is not a generic deity but their God.
• which spake (אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר - asher dibber): Highlights God's active role as the initiator and speaker. Dibber means "to speak" often with intent, command, or covenant.
• with his mouth (בְּפִיו - b'fiv): Emphasizes direct, clear, and unambiguous divine communication. God's promises were not ambiguous or conveyed indirectly but pronounced explicitly. This contrasts with pagan deities whose communication (if any) was often perceived through ambiguous omens or priestly interpretation, rather than direct divine address. It reinforces the authority and clarity of God's revealed word.
• unto David my father (אֶל דָּוִד אָבִי - el David avi): Explicitly connects to the foundational Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7; 1 Chr 17), grounding the Temple's existence in God's prior promise to the preceding king, David. Solomon recognizes his place within this unfolding divine plan.
• and hath with his hand (וּבְיָדוֹ - u'v'yado): Signifies God's active, powerful, and sovereign execution of His word. The "hand" often represents divine power, might, and effectual working. It's the physical manifestation of God's intent, confirming that His words are never empty.
• fulfilled it (הִגִּד - higid, or often translated as mille' or qiyam in related contexts. In this particular phrasing of 1 Kings 8:15, "fulfilled" comes from the hiphil form of gadad, which can mean 'to complete', 'to accomplish' or 'to confirm'. It indicates bringing a spoken word to tangible completion, not just announcing, but making it happen). It emphasizes completion, making something whole, bringing it to fruition exactly as promised.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - le'mor): Introduces the direct content of God's promise that has just been fulfilled, signaling that the promise is about to be reiterated, framing the historical event within the context of divine declaration.

Words-group Analysis:

• Blessed be the LORD God of Israel: This phrase is a common Hebrew formula for blessing and praising God, particularly acknowledging His covenant identity and active relationship with His people. It attributes all glory and merit to God for the unfolding events.
• which spake with his mouth... and hath with his hand fulfilled it: This parallel construction ("mouth" for speaking, "hand" for doing) powerfully emphasizes God's consistent and reliable character. What He says with clarity, He does with power. There is no discrepancy between His word and His deed. It counters any notion that God's promises might be mere words without the power or intention to bring them to pass, a stark contrast to human unreliability or the impotence of false gods. It points to a God whose creative power and faithfulness are seamlessly linked.

1 Kings 8 15 Bonus section

The pairing of "mouth" and "hand" here carries a polemic against pagan deities often depicted with mouths that do not speak and hands that do not act (e.g., Ps 115:5-7, Ps 135:16-17). In contrast, YHWH is a living, active, and communicative God whose promises are effectual. This verse highlights the theocentric nature of the Davidic covenant's fulfillment; it was not primarily about David's or Solomon's strength, but God's unyielding commitment. It prefigures the New Testament theme of God fulfilling all His promises in Christ, who is the ultimate "Temple" (John 2:21) and the perfect "Hand" of God's saving power. This event in Israel's history became a foundation for their understanding of God's nature – not a distant, unconcerned deity, but one deeply involved in the historical progression of His covenant purposes.

1 Kings 8 15 Commentary

1 Kings 8:15 is a profound theological statement uttered at a monumental historical event. Solomon's opening words in his Temple dedication speech are not about his own achievements or David's vision, but solely directed in praise towards God's absolute faithfulness. He emphasizes that the magnificent Temple standing before them is not merely the result of human endeavor, but the direct and precise fulfillment of God's covenant promise to David (2 Sam 7). The double emphasis on God speaking "with his mouth" and fulfilling "with his hand" underscores divine agency and fidelity. God's communication is clear, and His execution is perfect and powerful. This duality establishes the reliability of God's word, proving that what God promises, He unfailingly performs. It served as a powerful reminder to Israel of the active presence and trustworthiness of their God, countering any tendency to ascribe their blessings to their own works or to stray into idolatry, where gods are impotent and their words meaningless. The dedication of the Temple thus becomes a visible, tangible testament to the Lord's truthfulness and covenant-keeping nature, setting a precedent for God's continuous work in the lives of His people.Practical Usage Examples:

• Recalling specific prayers or promises God has fulfilled in one's life.
• Anchoring faith in God's past fidelity when facing current uncertainties.
• Recognizing that biblical prophecies find their complete fulfillment in God's time and by His power.