1 Kings 8 19

1 Kings 8:19 kjv

Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

1 Kings 8:19 nkjv

Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.'

1 Kings 8:19 niv

Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood?he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.'

1 Kings 8:19 esv

Nevertheless, you shall not build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.'

1 Kings 8:19 nlt

but you are not the one to do it. One of your own sons will build the Temple to honor me.'

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 19 Meaning

This verse recounts the divine decree communicated to King David concerning the construction of the Temple for the Lord. It explicitly states that David himself would not build the sanctuary, but rather his direct biological descendant would undertake this monumental task. The ultimate purpose of this structure was to establish and magnify God's name, indicating His presence and character among His people.

1 Kings 8 19 Context

This verse is embedded within King Solomon's dedication prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem, a momentous occasion for Israel. In the broader narrative of 1 Kings chapter 8, the Ark of the Covenant has just been brought into the Most Holy Place, and the glory of the Lord (Shekinah) has filled the Temple, causing the priests to be unable to minister. Overwhelmed, Solomon then turns to the assembly, blessing them and reflecting on God's covenant faithfulness. In his prayer, Solomon explicitly recalls the promise made by God to his father, David, regarding the Temple's construction. This particular verse confirms the divine restriction placed on David and the subsequent anointing of Solomon to carry out this sacred task, thereby validating Solomon's kingship and the Temple's legitimacy as the chosen place for God's name to dwell. Historically, this fulfills the prophecies given earlier to David in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17, and further clarified in 1 Chronicles 22:8 and 28:3 where David reveals God's explicit reason for his disqualification – being a man of war who shed much blood, which was incompatible with the holy, peaceful nature of the house to be built for God.

1 Kings 8 19 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (רַ֣ק, raq): An adversative particle meaning "only," "but," or "yet." It introduces a contrast, highlighting a divine limitation or condition even amidst David's faithful intentions and successes. It signals God's prerogative to set the terms for His service.
• you shall not build (לֹא־תִבְנֶה, lo-tivne): A direct and strong prohibition. "You" here is singular, referring directly to David. This indicates God's sovereign and precise will concerning who would construct His dwelling.
• the house (הַבָּ֑יִת, ha-bayit): With the definite article, it refers specifically to the singular, momentous temple—the dwelling place for the Lord. It signifies a unique, sacred structure dedicated exclusively to God.
• but your son (כִּֽי־אִם־בִּנְךָ֙, ki-im-binḵā): Emphatic positive construction following the negation. It firmly identifies the permitted builder, transitioning from the negative "you" to the affirmative "your son."
• who shall come out (הַיֹּצֵא֙, ha-yōṣe): A participial phrase emphasizing that the son is an immediate and legitimate issue. It's a continuous state, indicating direct descent.
• of your loins (מֵחֲלָצֶ֔יךָ, meḥălaṣeyḵā): The Hebrew word "חֲלָצַ֖יִם" (chalatsayim) literally means "loins" or "flanks," the area from which progeny emerge. It stresses direct biological, legitimate succession. This highlights the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant where the promise of a perpetual dynasty would flow through his direct male lineage, foreshadowing the Messiah.
• he shall build (ה֚וּא יִבְנֶה֙, hū yivne): The emphatic personal pronoun "he" ([הוּא]) preceding the verb "shall build" (יִבְנֶה) underscores that he—and only he—is God's chosen architect. This reiterates divine election and a specific call for this significant task.
• the house (הַבַּ֖יִת, ha-bayit): Reiteration of the specific, sacred structure.
• for My name (לִשְׁמִֽי, li-shmî): The crucial theological purpose. This phrase does not imply that God's omnipresent essence is contained within the temple, but rather that the temple is the designated place where God chooses to reveal Himself, manifest His presence, and receive worship according to His character (His "name"). It's a location established for His honor, renown, and to embody His covenant faithfulness. It indicates a place dedicated to the invocation of His Name, a focal point for His glory among His people. This concept serves as a counter-polemic against contemporary pagan temples that sought to literally house or imprison their deities.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "Nevertheless, you shall not build the house": This phrase underlines God's ultimate authority and discernment over even the best human intentions. David, despite being "a man after God's own heart," was not chosen for this specific work, demonstrating that God has particular criteria for specific tasks.
• "but your son, who shall come out of your loins, he shall build the house": This highlights the precision of divine providence, not only in selecting who would build, but how that builder would be identified—through direct, legitimate succession. This reinforced the legitimacy of Solomon's kingship and cemented the Davidic dynasty's continuity, tying the covenant promise directly to the physical structure of the temple.
• "for My name": This profound declaration defines the telos (ultimate purpose) of the Temple. It clarifies that the Temple's function was not merely a convenient structure for worship, but a specific place chosen by God to establish His public presence, uphold His reputation, receive the worship of His people, and provide a context for His covenant interactions. It ensures that the focus remains on God and His glory, not on human achievement or power.

1 Kings 8 19 Bonus section

• The transition from a portable tabernacle to a fixed temple represented a significant stage in Israel's theological and national development, reflecting the stability of the monarchy and the land.
• This verse subtly reinforces the distinct roles within God's plan. David established the kingdom through war; Solomon consolidated it through peace and built the central place of worship, each fulfilling a divine purpose relevant to their character and the times.
• The phrase "for My name" foreshadows how the concept of "dwelling" evolves in the New Testament, culminating in God dwelling within His people through the Spirit, and Jesus Christ being the true Temple.

1 Kings 8 19 Commentary

1 Kings 8:19 captures a pivotal moment of transition and theological significance in Israel's history. It articulates God's sovereignty over human endeavors, even those borne of deep devotion. While King David yearned to build a grand temple for the Ark of the Covenant, God, in His wisdom and according to His character, declared that David, a warrior whose hands were stained with blood, was not the fitting person to construct a sanctuary intended as a symbol of peace and holiness. Instead, the task was deferred to his son, Solomon, whose very name evokes "peace."

The verse underscores the divine election of Solomon, emphasizing his lineal descent from David ("out of your loins"), solidifying the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant's dynastic promise. This divine selection ensured not only the legitimacy of Solomon's reign but also the sacred purity associated with the Temple's origin.

Crucially, the Temple was to be built "for My name." This is far more than a dedication; it is a theological statement. It asserts that the Temple's existence was not to contain the omnipresent God within its walls—an impossibility for the Creator of the heavens and earth—but rather to be the place where God chose to reveal His presence, where His character would be upheld, where His people could call upon Him and offer sacrifices, and where His glory would be uniquely manifested among them. The Temple thus became the physical embodiment of the covenant relationship, a visible point of contact between the holy God and His chosen people, ultimately pointing to a greater spiritual reality found in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.