1 Kings 8:59 kjv
And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
1 Kings 8:59 nkjv
And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require,
1 Kings 8:59 niv
And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day's need,
1 Kings 8:59 esv
Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires,
1 Kings 8:59 nlt
And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the LORD be before him constantly, day and night, so that the LORD our God may give justice to me and to his people Israel, according to each day's needs.
1 Kings 8 59 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 8:29 | ...that Your eyes may be open toward this temple day and night... | God's continuous watchful care over His dwelling. |
| 1 Ki 8:60 | ...that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God... | Broader purpose: God's universal renown. |
| Ps 65:2 | O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. | God's nature as hearer of prayer. |
| Ps 10:17 | LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart... | God hears the humble. |
| Ps 145:18 | The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. | God's nearness to those who sincerely seek Him. |
| 1 Jn 5:14 | And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will... | Confidence in God hearing prayer. |
| Ps 9:8 | He will judge the world in righteousness; He will minister judgment to the peoples... | God's attribute of upholding justice. |
| Deut 10:18 | He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow... | God as the upholder of justice for the vulnerable. |
| Isa 30:18 | ...Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you... | God's desire to act justly and graciously. |
| Mic 6:8 | ...to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. | Man's call to reflect God's justice. |
| Dan 9:16 | O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, let Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem... | Daniel's intercession echoing Solomon's tone. |
| Ps 121:4 | Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. | God's ceaseless watchfulness. |
| Isa 27:3 | I, the LORD, keep it; I water it every moment; Lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day. | God's continuous care and protection. |
| Deut 7:9 | Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant... | God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant. |
| Neh 1:5 | I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep covenant and mercy... | God as keeper of covenant and mercy. |
| Ps 89:3-4 | I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: ‘Your seed I will establish forever...’ | God's covenant with David. |
| Lam 3:22-23 | Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning... | God's mercies renewed daily. |
| Heb 13:8 | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. | God's unchangeable nature, echoing faithfulness. |
| Matt 6:11 | Give us this day our daily bread. | Prayer for daily provision. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory... | God's continuous provision for all needs. |
| Isa 56:7 | ...for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. | The Temple's purpose as a place of prayer. |
| Rom 8:34 | Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is risen... who also makes intercession for us. | Christ's continuous intercession. |
1 Kings 8 verses
1 Kings 8 59 Meaning
King Solomon's supplication expresses a fervent desire that his extensive dedicatory prayer, offered before the LORD, would perpetually remain in God's immediate attention and favor, day and night. The core purpose is that God would continually execute justice and administer what is right for both Solomon himself, as His servant, and for all the people of Israel, meeting their specific needs and vindicating their cause moment by moment, as circumstances dictate. This underscores Israel's dependence on God's active intervention and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises.
1 Kings 8 59 Context
1 Kings chapter 8 recounts the solemn dedication of the newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon has brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies, sacrificed abundantly, and then delivered a magnificent prayer (vv. 23-53). This prayer serves as a covenantal liturgy, recalling God's past faithfulness, appealing to His future mercy, and outlining various scenarios where Israel would need to seek God at the Temple. Verse 59 concludes the body of Solomon's intercessory prayer, just before he blesses the congregation again and dismisses them. It emphasizes the perpetual need for God's presence, attention, and active justice in the daily lives of the king and his people. The historical context is the pinnacle of Israel's unified kingdom under Solomon, a period of unparalleled glory and the establishment of the central place of worship that was to embody God's presence among His people.
1 Kings 8 59 Word analysis
- And may these words of mine: Refers specifically to Solomon's preceding extensive prayer, which encompasses appeals for mercy and justice for various situations (war, famine, plague, exile, etc.). It highlights the personal earnestness and authoritative position of Solomon as he intercedes for his nation.
- with which I have made supplication (הִתְחַנַּנְתִּי - hiṯḥannan·tî): From the Hebrew root חָנַן (chanan), meaning "to be gracious," "to show favor," or "to have pity." The Hithpael stem, used here, indicates an intense and persistent act of seeking favor, making an earnest plea, or begging for grace. It suggests humility and dependence on God's mercy rather than any inherent right.
- before the LORD: Designates the direct audience and recipient of the prayer: YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes the authenticity and sacredness of the prayer.
- be near to the LORD our God (יִהְיוּ קְרֹבִים - yihyū qᵊrōvîm): The word "near" (קָרוֹב - qarov) signifies not merely audibility but active attention, acceptance, and consideration by God. It's a plea for continuous, intimate access to the divine ear and heart, indicating that God would hold these prayers in high regard and constant remembrance. "Our God" stresses the covenant relationship between YHWH and Israel.
- day and night: This phrase signifies perpetuity, unceasingness, and continuity. Solomon desires that his prayer not be a fleeting moment but have an enduring, persistent presence before God, ensuring continuous divine oversight and responsiveness.
- that he may uphold the cause (לַעֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפַּט - laʿăśōwt mišpāṭ): Literally, "to do justice" or "to execute judgment." מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) refers to proper judgment, justice, a legal case, or a righteous standard. It means that God would actively intervene to ensure what is right, righteous, and fair in the lives of His people, whether defending them against adversaries or providing for their needs according to His righteous standards.
- of his servant and the cause of his people Israel: Broadens the scope of God's desired intervention from Solomon's personal needs to the collective well-being and legal/ethical standing of the entire nation. Solomon sees himself as intimately linked to the fate of Israel, emphasizing his role as an intercessor.
- as each day requires (דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ - dᵊvar-yōwm bᵊyōwmōw): Literally "the matter of the day in its day." This phrase highlights the ongoing, timely, and precise nature of God's anticipated intervention. It acknowledges the dynamic and diverse needs that arise daily for a king and nation, and expresses faith that God would provide justice and resolution precisely when and how needed, indicating continuous, living responsiveness.
1 Kings 8 59 Bonus section
This verse implicitly teaches the enduring principle of prayer as continuous intercession. Solomon, though powerful, does not rely on his own strength or the Temple's grandeur but models absolute reliance on God. The phrase "day and night" anticipates later biblical teachings on persistent prayer (Lk 18:7, Eph 6:18). It highlights God's attribute as one who not only listens but responds actively and perpetually to the specific needs of His people, a demonstration of His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Moses, and David. It also prefigures the ultimate continuous intercession of Jesus Christ on behalf of His people before the Father (Heb 7:25).
1 Kings 8 59 Commentary
1 Kings 8:59 captures the essence of a king's profound dependence on God for daily sustenance, justice, and protection for himself and his people. It's not just a request for a one-time answer but a plea for God's constant, active engagement in Israel's affairs. Solomon acknowledges that despite the magnificent Temple, true security and prosperity come solely from YHWH's consistent upholding of their "cause" or rights. This underscores that prayer is not merely an occasional utterance but an ongoing spiritual posture before a faithful God who is perpetually involved in the lives of His covenant people, providing and governing with justice according to their changing needs. It beautifully reflects the practical application of trusting in God's sovereignty and His unfailing care for His chosen.