1 Kings 9 6

1 Kings 9:6 kjv

But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:

1 Kings 9:6 nkjv

But if you or your sons at all turn from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them,

1 Kings 9:6 niv

"But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them,

1 Kings 9:6 esv

But if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them,

1 Kings 9:6 nlt

"But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods,

1 Kings 9 verses

1 Kings 9 6 Meaning

This verse presents a stern conditional warning from God to King Solomon and the nation of Israel, immediately following the completion of the temple and royal palace. It articulates that the continued blessing and presence of God, along with the stability of the Davidic monarchy and the nation's dwelling in the Promised Land, are entirely contingent upon their steadfast obedience to God's commandments and exclusive worship of Him alone. The verse explicitly warns against turning away from God, failing to observe His laws, or engaging in the worship of other deities, clearly outlining the dire consequences of such apostasy.

1 Kings 9 6 Context

This verse is part of God's second appearance to Solomon (1 Kgs 9:1-9), occurring after the momentous dedication of the temple and Solomon's magnificent palace (1 Kgs 8). This divine encounter functions as God's response to Solomon's prayer of dedication (1 Kgs 8:22-53), reiterating key covenantal promises and warnings. God reaffirms the Davidic covenant's guarantee of an eternal dynasty (v. 5) but immediately qualifies it with stringent conditions for both the king and the nation (vv. 6-9). The focus shifts from the architectural achievement of the temple to the moral and spiritual fidelity required of God's people. This warning, delivered at the pinnacle of Solomon's power and spiritual success, serves as a crucial theological boundary, foreshadowing the future apostasy of Israel, the division of the kingdom, and ultimately, the exiles that occurred precisely because these conditions were violated. It emphasizes that while the physical temple was built, the spiritual foundation depended entirely on continuous obedience to God and rejection of idolatry.

1 Kings 9 6 Word analysis

• But if: This introductory conjunction highlights the conditional nature of the upcoming statement, serving as a critical transition from the promises of blessing to the warnings of curse. It sets a distinct dichotomy between fidelity and apostasy.
• you turn aside: The Hebrew verb is סוּר (sūr), meaning "to turn aside," "to deviate," or "to depart." In a theological context, it strongly implies apostasy or deviation from the divinely appointed path, indicating a deliberate change in allegiance or behavior away from God. This is not mere passive straying but an active turning away.
• from following me: The Hebrew is אַחֲרֵי (’aḥărey) meaning "after me," expressing the idea of allegiance, discipleship, and loyalty. To turn from "following" God means to cease obeying His guidance and pursuing His ways. It underscores that God expects a personal and active relationship, not just passive adherence to rules.
• you or your children: This phrase emphasizes the corporate and intergenerational responsibility inherent in God's covenant with Israel. The covenant was not solely with Solomon but extended to the entire nation and future generations, signifying that the consequences of disobedience would affect the entire collective and subsequent heirs to the throne and the nation.
• and do not keep: The Hebrew verb is שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to keep," "to observe," "to guard," or "to preserve." It denotes active, diligent adherence and careful preservation of God's instructions, implying intentional obedience rather than mere superficial acknowledgement. The negation "do not" highlights the failure to act.
• my commandments: The Hebrew term is מִצְוֹת (mitzvot), referring to the direct, authoritative commands given by God. These are specific instructions embodying God's will for ethical and ritual conduct, central to the Mosaic covenant.
• and my statutes: The Hebrew is חֻקּוֹת (chukkot), which means "decrees," "ordinances," or "statutes." These are fixed, established laws or decrees, often implying a prescribed way of life or cultic practice that is non-negotiable and divinely mandated. Together with "commandments," they encompass the totality of God's Law.
• which I have set before you: This emphasizes the divine origin, clarity, and accessibility of God's law. God explicitly provided His instructions to Israel, implying that their disobedience would be a deliberate rejection of known truth, not ignorance.
• but go and serve other gods: This is a direct violation of the first and second commandments (Exod 20:3-5; Deut 5:7-9). "Go" suggests active engagement, and "serve" (עָבַד - ’abad) means to worship, to labor for, or to become a bondservant of. This indicates full devotion and submission to foreign deities. The term "other gods" (אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים - elohim aḥerim) is a polemic against polytheism, highlighting the exclusivity of YHWH's demand for worship and exposing the non-existence or impotency of rival deities.
• and worship them: This phrase reinforces and explicitly clarifies the meaning of "serve other gods." It highlights the act of veneration, adoration, and ritual practice directed towards false deities, underscoring the spiritual treason inherent in such actions.

1 Kings 9 6 Bonus section

• This verse starkly contrasts God's enduring covenant promises with the human responsibility for obedience, creating a dynamic tension vital to understanding Israel's history. While the Davidic covenant provided a guarantee for the perpetuity of David's line, this verse clarifies that the presence of that line in power on the throne in the land was subject to the conditions laid out.
• The warning here serves as a key interpretive lens for understanding the entire trajectory of the Israelite monarchy, culminating in the kingdom's division (1 Kgs 11-12) and the later exiles of both northern and southern kingdoms. It demonstrates God's consistent standard and His faithfulness to His own declared principles.
• The terms "commandments" and "statutes" collectively refer to the Torah given at Sinai. This emphasizes that even after centuries and the establishment of a monarchy, the foundational principles of the Exodus covenant remained binding upon Israel and their king.
• The severe tone reflects God's zeal for His unique glory and His exclusive right to Israel's worship, given His redemptive acts on their behalf. To "serve other gods" was not just a religious error but an act of spiritual treason and ungratefulness.
• In the New Testament, though salvation is by grace through faith, the principle of obedience as evidence of faith and perseverance as a sign of true discipleship echoes these Old Testament warnings about "turning away" (e.g., warnings in Hebrews against falling away). The consequences for unfaithfulness shift from physical exile to spiritual judgment but underscore God's enduring holiness and expectations of true devotion.

1 Kings 9 6 Commentary

1 Kings 9:6 serves as a foundational theological statement regarding the conditional nature of God's blessings upon Israel within the framework of the Mosaic covenant, even within the context of the eternal Davidic covenant. God's warning is neither capricious nor arbitrary; it is the inevitable consequence of a covenant relationship requiring exclusive allegiance and obedience. While God's promise to David (2 Sam 7) was unconditional in its ultimate fulfillment, the well-being and continuation of individual kings on the throne, as well as Israel's national prosperity and presence in the land, were contingent on fidelity to His Law. This verse pinpoints the cardinal sin: abandoning YHWH for other gods, a theme tragically prevalent throughout Israel's history. The passage stresses personal and corporate responsibility across generations, underscoring that the actions of leaders and parents directly impact the nation and their descendants. This solemn warning, delivered at the height of Israel's splendor under Solomon, subtly foreshadows the spiritual decline that would indeed plague Solomon himself (1 Kgs 11) and later kings, ultimately leading to the destruction of the temple, the loss of the land, and the exile, precisely because the conditions laid out in this verse were not met. It underscores the profound truth that physical structures or rituals, however magnificent, cannot substitute for genuine, obedient worship of the one true God.