1 Kings 9 2

1 Kings 9:2 kjv

That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.

1 Kings 9:2 nkjv

that the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.

1 Kings 9:2 niv

the LORD appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.

1 Kings 9:2 esv

the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.

1 Kings 9:2 nlt

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had done before at Gibeon.

1 Kings 9 verses

1 Kings 9 2 Meaning

This verse signifies a crucial divine reaffirmation of God's covenant with Solomon, following the completion of the Temple and the royal palace. It highlights that God's presence and promises are contingent upon Israel's and Solomon's obedience, directly linking the glorious reality of the completed Temple to the conditional covenant established earlier at Gibeon. This second appearance serves to underscore the continuity of God's plan and the enduring implications of obedience and disobedience for the Davidic dynasty and the nation of Israel.

1 Kings 9 2 Context

This verse initiates a crucial divine encounter after Solomon had completed the monumental tasks of building the Temple (after seven years) and his own lavish royal palace (an additional thirteen years, making it twenty years into his reign, according to 1 Kings 9:10). This second appearance of God to Solomon is a direct response to the successful completion of these projects and follows the grand dedication of the Temple detailed in 1 Kings 8. It moves beyond the initial grant of wisdom at Gibeon and now presents the specific covenant stipulations that would govern the prosperity, presence, and perpetuation of Solomon's kingdom and the newly built Temple. This appearance functions as a divine ratification and clarification, serving as a pivotal moment before the narrative delves into the later successes and failures of Solomon's reign, laying down the theological framework for understanding subsequent events, including the eventual division of the kingdom.

1 Kings 9 2 Word analysis

• And the Lord (וַיֵּרָא יְהוָה, vayyērá YHWH):
  • וַיֵּרָא (vayyērá): From the root רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning "to see." In the Niphal stem (passive or reflexive), it means "to be seen," "to appear," or "to show oneself." This signifies a purposeful and direct manifestation of God. It's not a mere dream (as in Gibeon), but a significant revelation. Its repeated use highlights the deliberate nature of divine encounter.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name. Its use emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel, and specifically to David's line, signifying a personal and relational engagement with Solomon.
• appeared to Solomon (אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹה, el-Shělōmōh):
  • Signifies direct communication and address. This is not through a prophet, but a face-to-face (though likely visionary) encounter with the king. This level of direct communication underscores the gravity of the message about to be delivered.
• a second time (שֵׁנִית, šēnîṯ):
  • Crucial detail. It distinguishes this encounter from the previous one at Gibeon and gives it heightened significance. "Second" indicates reinforcement, confirmation, and often an escalation of importance or responsibility. It marks a new stage in God's relationship with Solomon, moving from the initial gifting of wisdom to the conditional governance of the completed kingdom and Temple. It's a reminder that God’s covenant interaction is ongoing.
• as He had appeared to him (כַּאֲשֶׁר נִרְאָה אֵלָיו, ka'ăsher nir'ah 'elav):
  • כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka'ăsher): "as," "just as," "according as." A comparative conjunction, linking the two events intrinsically.
  • נִרְאָה (nir'ah): Again, the Niphal of ra'ah, "He appeared." The repetition confirms the consistent nature and authority of God's self-revelation.
  • This phrase emphasizes continuity and validates the divine origin of the first encounter. It ties the current message to the foundational encounter, indicating that the promises and warnings given now are rooted in and flow from the initial divine interaction and grant of wisdom.
• at Gibeon (בְּגִבְעוֹן, bə-Gib'on):
  • Specific geographical and contextual reference. Gibeon was where Solomon humbly sought wisdom instead of wealth or long life (1 Ki 3:5-15). By recalling this specific event, God draws on the memory of Solomon's earnest seeking heart and wisdom-endowment. This sets the tone for the subsequent message, implicitly reminding Solomon of the initial blessings and the integrity he had demonstrated at the beginning of his reign. It provides the backdrop against which the current warnings and promises must be understood.

• Words-group analysis:
  • "And the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.": This entire phrase encapsulates the themes of divine fidelity, historical continuity, and the increasing stakes of Solomon's reign. The "second time" marks a development from mere wisdom-granting to direct covenant responsibility regarding the newly established kingdom and Temple, underscoring that God does not abandon His chosen king but reinforces His conditional covenant promises as circumstances evolve.

1 Kings 9 2 Bonus section

• Theological Significance of Repetition: In biblical narrative, a second or repeated appearance of God signifies confirmation, seriousness, and often a higher degree of expectation or finality. It acts as a divine exclamation mark, making the message unmistakable. This re-emphasizes that God's covenant with David was not an unconditional "free pass" but had crucial conditional aspects for the current reigning king and his descendants in their practical living and worship.
• The Temple as a Test Case: The completion of the Temple, intended as God's dwelling place, now puts the covenant to the test. God's response after its completion defines the terms under which He will "put His name there forever." This appearance transforms the physical structure into a powerful symbol of divine presence, but a presence that is both given and can be withdrawn based on human faithfulness.
• Juxtaposition with Solomon's Character Arc: This divine intervention occurs at what might be considered the peak of Solomon's reign – wisdom manifested, wealth accumulated, and the Temple completed. The solemn warning delivered immediately after this highlight foreshadows Solomon's gradual drift into idolatry and disobedience (recorded later in 1 Kings 11), making this a prophetic statement about his life trajectory and the kingdom's future.

1 Kings 9 2 Commentary

1 Kings 9:2 is the pivotal opening of God's conditional covenant renewal with Solomon, acting as a divine audit after the completion of Solomon's magnificent building projects. The "second time" appearance is crucial; it confirms God's consistent engagement with Solomon while elevating the discourse from an initial blessing of wisdom (at Gibeon) to the weighty matters of covenant faithfulness directly tied to the function and longevity of the Temple and Davidic kingdom. God reiterates the principles of conditional blessings for obedience and severe judgment for disobedience, applicable to both Solomon personally and to the nation through his lineage. This interaction foreshadows Solomon's eventual failures and the subsequent history of Judah and Israel, underscoring that divine blessing is always tied to covenant adherence, even for God's anointed kings and the holy sanctuary.