1 Kings 1:29

KJV

And the king sware, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} sware {H7650}, and said {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, that hath redeemed {H6299} my soul {H5315} out of all distress {H6869},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the king swore an oath: "As ADONAI lives, who has delivered me from all adversity,

Berean Standard Bible

And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,

American Standard Version

And the king sware, and said, As Jehovah liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In a moment of profound personal conviction and critical national transition, King David, in his advanced age, solemnly swears an oath by the living God. This declaration is a powerful and deeply personal testimony to God's unfailing faithfulness, acknowledging that the Lord has consistently delivered his soul from every form of distress throughout his tumultuous life. This profound affirmation of divine redemption immediately precedes David's definitive command to anoint Solomon as his rightful successor, thereby securing the divinely appointed continuity of the Davidic throne.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal juncture in the narrative of David's final days and the crucial transition of power in Israel. The preceding verses detail the audacious and unauthorized attempt by David's son Adonijah to seize the throne, capitalizing on David's advanced age and perceived weakness. The intervention of Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and Nathan the prophet, strategically reminds David of his earlier oath to make Solomon king. David's solemn oath in [1 Kings 1:29](/1_kings/1-29 "1 Kings 1:29 - David's Oath Regarding Solomon") directly confirms his prior promise to Bathsheba, as recounted in [1 Kings 1:17](/1_kings/1-17 "1 Kings 1:17 - Bathsheba Reminds David of His Promise"), and sets the immediate stage for Solomon's anointing and enthronement, which is vividly described in [1 Kings 1:32-40](/1_kings/1-32-40 "1 Kings 1:32-40 - Solomon's Anointing and Enthronement"). This verse marks the decisive turning point where the illegitimate coup is definitively countered by the legitimate, divinely-sanctioned succession.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, royal succession was frequently a precarious and often violent affair, prone to contestation by rival sons or factions. Oaths sworn by a deity were considered supremely binding and carried immense social, legal, and spiritual weight, invoking divine judgment upon those who dared to break them. David's use of the formula "As the LORD liveth" was a common and potent rhetorical device, employed to emphasize the absolute certainty and divine backing of his declaration. Furthermore, the concept of "redemption" was deeply embedded in Israelite thought, referring to deliverance from various forms of bondage, danger, or distress, often through a powerful act of intervention by a kinsman-redeemer or, ultimately, by God Himself. David's life, marked by flight from Saul ([1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - David Flees Saul")), numerous battles, and profound personal moral failures (e.g., [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba")), provided ample opportunity for him to experience God's redemptive hand.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several foundational themes woven throughout the books of Samuel and Kings. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Redemption**, as David testifies to God's consistent deliverance throughout his tumultuous life, from the hand of Saul to various personal and national crises. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Solemnity and Authority of Oaths**, particularly when invoked by the living God, reinforcing the legitimacy of Solomon's claim to the throne and the sacred nature of promises concerning leadership and covenant. Thirdly, the immediate context points to the crucial theme of **Succession and the Davidic Covenant**. David's concern was not merely about lineage but about maintaining the stability and spiritual integrity of the kingdom, which was to be led by God's anointed. This act ensures the continuity of the Davidic line, a crucial prophetic thread that points ultimately to the Messiah, as promised in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sware (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** This verb (H7650) signifies the act of taking an oath, often by invoking a divine name or entity. It implies a solemn, binding declaration, made under divine witness, carrying significant legal and spiritual weight. When a king swore an oath, it was considered exceptionally serious and irrevocable, a commitment as firm as a seven-fold affirmation.
* **redeemed (Hebrew, _pâdâh'_):** This term (H6299) means "to sever," "to ransom," "to deliver," or "to rescue." It frequently implies deliverance from danger, captivity, or distress, often through a powerful or costly intervention. David's use here is deeply personal, reflecting God's active and consistent intervention to save him from various life-threatening situations and profound difficulties.
* **distress (Hebrew, _tsârâh'_):** This noun (H6869) denotes tightness, affliction, trouble, anguish, or tribulation. It encompasses a wide range of difficulties, both physical and emotional, that cause significant suffering. David's declaration of being redeemed "out of all distress" signifies a comprehensive and lifelong experience of God's deliverance from every imaginable form of trouble.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king sware, and said":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the gravity and authority of David's subsequent declaration. The act of swearing by an oath was not done lightly, especially by a king. It signals a definitive and binding pronouncement, intended to remove all doubt regarding Solomon's succession.
* **"As the LORD liveth":** This is a powerful and common oath formula in the Hebrew Bible. By invoking the very existence of Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_), the self-existent and eternal God (H2416, _chay'_), David underscores the absolute truthfulness and divine backing of his words. It transforms his personal promise into a divinely sanctioned decree, making its fulfillment as certain as God's own living existence.
* **"that hath redeemed my soul":** This clause is a profound personal testimony. David attributes his very survival and well-being throughout his life to God's active, redemptive intervention. "My soul" (H5315, _nephesh'_) here refers to his entire being, his life, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's saving acts on his behalf. It's a retrospective acknowledgment of God's consistent faithfulness.
* **"out of all distress":** This phrase emphasizes the breadth and totality of God's deliverance. David's life was fraught with numerous dangers, betrayals, and personal anguish—from fleeing Saul, to the rebellion of Absalom, to his own moral failings and their consequences. He testifies that God has rescued him from every single one of these "distresses," underscoring God's comprehensive and unfailing care.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its meaning and impact. The most prominent is the **Oath Formula**, "As the LORD liveth," which is a common and powerful expression in biblical literature used to lend absolute certainty and divine authority to a statement. This formula elevates David's personal promise to the level of a divinely sanctioned decree. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Personal Testimony**, as David recounts his lifelong experience of God's redemptive work. This personal reflection makes the oath deeply resonant and authentic. The phrase "all distress" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Totality**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance from every conceivable trouble David faced. Finally, "redeemed my soul" uses **Metonymy** where "soul" represents David's entire being or life, and **Metaphor** for redemption as a liberation from a state of danger or bondage, akin to being bought back from peril.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's solemn oath in [1 Kings 1:29](/1_kings/1-29 "1 Kings 1:29 - David's Oath and God's Redemption") is a profound theological statement, not merely a political maneuver. It grounds the future of Israel's monarchy in the character of God Himself—a God who is living, active, and redemptive. David's personal experience of God's consistent deliverance from "all distress" serves as a powerful testament to Yahweh's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they face internal strife or personal failings. This testimony reinforces the biblical theme that God is the ultimate rescuer and preserver of life, providing hope and security amidst chaos. It also highlights the sacredness of oaths made in God's name, emphasizing the divine backing and certainty of His promises, particularly concerning the Davidic line and its enduring legacy.

* [Psalm 34:22](/psalms/34-22 "Psalm 34:22 - The Lord Redeems the Soul of His Servants")
* [Psalm 107:2](/psalms/107-2 "Psalm 107:2 - Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So")
* [Psalm 121:7](/psalms/121-7 "Psalm 121:7 - The Lord Will Keep You from All Evil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King David's testimony in [1 Kings 1:29](/1_kings/1-29 "1 Kings 1:29 - David's Oath and God's Redemption") offers timeless lessons for believers today. Like David, we are called to remember and recount God's past faithfulness in our lives. Reflecting on how God has delivered us from previous "distresses"—whether they be physical ailments, emotional turmoil, financial hardship, or spiritual struggles—builds our faith and confidence for present and future challenges. This verse reminds us that God is not a distant deity but an intimately involved Redeemer who actively works on behalf of His people. Furthermore, David's solemn oath underscores the weight and importance of our own words. When we make promises, especially those that invoke God's name or principles, we are called to do so with integrity and a commitment to follow through, mirroring the faithfulness of the God by whom David swore. Our lives, like David's, should be a living testimony to God's redemptive power, providing hope and assurance to those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your faith in current challenges?**
* **In what ways can we, like David, bear witness to God's redemptive work in our lives?**
* **What is the significance of making promises, especially those that involve God's name, in our daily lives?**

### FAQ

**Why is David's oath so significant here?**

Answer: David's oath in [1 Kings 1:29](/1_kings/1-29 "1 Kings 1:29 - David's Oath and God's Redemption") is profoundly significant because it is a solemn, divinely-backed affirmation of Solomon's legitimate succession to the throne. In the immediate context of Adonijah's attempted coup, David's public and binding declaration, sworn by the living God, immediately counters the illegitimate power grab and ensures the stability of the kingdom. It invokes God's ultimate authority to validate his word, reinforcing the divine appointment of Solomon as his successor and the continuity of the Davidic covenant, which promised an enduring dynasty.

**What does "redeemed my soul" mean for David?**

Answer: For David, "redeemed my soul" is a deeply personal and comprehensive testimony to God's consistent deliverance throughout his entire life. It refers to God's active rescue and preservation from a multitude of dangers and afflictions. This includes physical threats, such as his flight from [King Saul](/1_samuel/18-11 "1 Samuel 18:11 - David Flees Saul"), military battles, and the rebellion of his own son, Absalom ([2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). It also encompasses emotional and spiritual distress, such as the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba and the loss of his child ([2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan Confronts David")). David acknowledges that in every form of "distress," God has been his faithful Redeemer, providing salvation and restoration, demonstrating His comprehensive and unfailing care for David's entire being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's personal testimony of God's redemption in [1 Kings 1:29](/1_kings/1-29 "1 Kings 1:29 - David's Oath and God's Redemption") finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While David experienced deliverance from physical and emotional distress, the New Testament reveals a far greater, spiritual redemption from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus, the true Son of David, is the ultimate Redeemer, whose life, death, and resurrection constitute the definitive act of divine rescue for humanity. Just as God faithfully delivered David, so too has He, through Christ, "redeemed us from every lawless deed and purified for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" ([Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Christ Redeemed Us")). The continuity of the Davidic line, secured by David's oath for Solomon, ultimately points to Christ, in whom the promises of an eternal kingdom are realized ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus Will Reign on David's Throne")). He is the Lamb of God who "redeemed us to God by His blood" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Worthy is the Lamb")), offering not just temporary relief from distress, but eternal freedom and reconciliation with God, a redemption that transcends all earthly suffering and secures our souls for eternity ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with the Precious Blood of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 4:9

¶ And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, [As] the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

Psalms 136:24

And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

1 Kings 18:10

[As] the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, [He is] not [there]; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

1 Kings 2:24

Now therefore, [as] the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.

Judges 8:19

And he said, They [were] my brethren, [even] the sons of my mother: [as] the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

Psalms 138:7

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

1 Samuel 14:39

For, [as] the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But [there was] not a man among all the people [that] answered him.