1 Kings 1:47

KJV

And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And moreover the king's {H4428} servants {H5650} came {H935} to bless {H1288} our lord {H113} king {H4428} David {H1732}, saying {H559}, God {H430} make the name {H8034} of Solomon {H8010} better {H3190} than thy name {H8034}, and make {H1431} his throne {H3678} greater {H1431} than thy throne {H3678}. And the king {H4428} bowed {H7812} himself upon the bed {H4904}.

Complete Jewish Bible

More than that, the king's servants came and blessed our lord King David with these words: 'May God make the name of Shlomo better than your name and his throne greater than your throne,' after which the king bowed down on the bed.

Berean Standard Bible

The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed,

American Standard Version

And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, Thy God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne: and the king bowed himself upon the bed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 1:47 marks a pivotal moment in the transfer of power from King David to his son Solomon, confirming the divine orchestration of succession and the people's joyful acceptance. Following Solomon's anointing, the king's loyal servants approach the aging David to offer a profound blessing, praying for Solomon's reign to surpass even David's in glory and prosperity. David's humble response, bowing himself upon his bed, signifies his deep gratitude and worship, acknowledging God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises for a stable and enduring dynasty. This verse encapsulates the themes of divine sovereignty, continuity of leadership, and the people's hopeful anticipation for a blessed future under the new king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic resolution of a succession crisis. King David, old and frail, had been deceived by his ambitious son Adonijah, who attempted to seize the throne. However, through the swift intervention of Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba, David's prior promise to make Solomon king was reaffirmed and immediately acted upon. Solomon has just been anointed by Zadok the priest at Gihon and proclaimed king, with the sounds of joyous celebration, including trumpets and flutes, filling Jerusalem (see [1 Kings 1:32-40](/1_kings/1-32 "1 Kings 1:32-40 - Solomon's Anointing")). The "king's servants" mentioned here are those who have witnessed this divinely sanctioned event and now come to honor both the departing king and the newly established monarch, signifying the kingdom's unified allegiance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, succession was often a volatile affair, frequently marked by intrigue, violence, and instability. The peaceful and divinely affirmed transfer of power from David to Solomon, despite Adonijah's attempted coup, was therefore remarkable and highly significant. The act of "blessing" a king was a formal expression of loyalty, good wishes, and a prayer for divine favor upon his reign. The "king's servants" represent the court officials, elders, and loyal subjects who formally acknowledge the new order. The concept of a "name" in ancient Israel carried profound significance, embodying a person's character, reputation, and legacy. To wish for Solomon's "name" and "throne" to be greater than David's was not a disrespectful comparison but a hyperbolic expression of fervent hope for an even more glorious and blessed future under God's continued favor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. It highlights the theme of **Divine Succession and Blessing**, demonstrating that God, not human machinations, ultimately determines who sits on the throne of Israel, fulfilling His covenant promises to David (as seen in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")). The servants' prayer for Solomon's "name" and "throne" to be greater underscores the aspiration for a reign of unparalleled prosperity, peace, and divine favor. Furthermore, David's humble act of bowing, despite his physical weakness, exemplifies **Humility and Gratitude** before God, acknowledging His faithfulness in establishing Solomon's reign and ensuring the continuity of the Davidic dynasty. This peaceful transition also reinforces the **Continuity of God's Plan** for His people, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant and the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, ensuring stability and hope for the future of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Servants (Hebrew, _ʿăbādîm'_):** This term refers to the king's officials, courtiers, and loyal subjects. Their coming to "bless" David signifies a formal act of allegiance and respect, acknowledging the legitimacy of Solomon's succession and expressing their loyalty to the established order. It indicates a broad consensus and acceptance of Solomon as the new king, reflecting the kingdom's unity behind the divine choice.
* **Bless (Hebrew, _bārak'_):** In this context, "to bless" means to invoke divine favor and prosperity upon someone. The servants are not merely offering good wishes but are actively praying for God's hand to be upon Solomon's reign, that it might be exceedingly successful and glorious. This act of blessing is a recognition that true prosperity and stability come from God.
* **Name (Hebrew, _šēm'_):** In ancient Israelite culture, a "name" was much more than a label; it encapsulated a person's character, reputation, and legacy. To wish for Solomon's "name" to be "better" than David's was a profound prayer that his reign would achieve even greater renown, honor, and divine favor, building upon the already illustrious legacy of David. It speaks to the hope for a future of enhanced glory for the kingdom.
* **Throne (Hebrew, _kisseʾ'_):** The "throne" is a powerful symbol of royal authority, power, and sovereignty. The prayer for Solomon's "throne" to be "greater" than David's signifies a desire for his reign to be marked by even greater stability, influence, and success, both domestically and internationally. It anticipates an expansion of the kingdom's peace and prosperity, reflecting God's abundant blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David,"**: This opening clause establishes the setting and the actors. The "king's servants" represent the loyal court and people, indicating a broad acceptance of Solomon's anointing. Their act of coming to "bless" David, even as he is in his final days, demonstrates respect for his long reign and acknowledges his role in the divinely ordained succession. It highlights the peaceful and orderly transition of power.
* **"saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne."**: This is the core of the servants' prayer and blessing. It is a hyperbolic expression of hope and anticipation, not a denigration of David. "Better" and "greater" signify a fervent wish for Solomon's reign to exceed David's in prosperity, peace, and divine favor, fulfilling the promises of the Davidic Covenant. It underscores the belief that God's hand is upon Solomon and that the future of the kingdom is bright.
* **"And the king bowed himself upon the bed."**: This final clause describes David's humble and worshipful response. Despite his extreme physical weakness, evidenced by his confinement to the bed, David manages to bow. This posture is an act of profound gratitude and worship towards God, acknowledging His faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to establish Solomon's reign. It also signifies his acceptance of God's sovereign will and his contentment in seeing the continuity of the dynasty before his death.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the servants' prayer, "God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne." This is not a literal expectation that Solomon would be superior to David in all respects, but rather a fervent, exaggerated expression of hope and blessing for an exceptionally prosperous and glorious reign, reflecting the magnitude of God's anticipated favor. **Symbolism** is also prominent, with "name" representing reputation, legacy, and character, and "throne" symbolizing royal authority, power, and the dynasty itself. David's act of bowing, despite his physical frailty, is a powerful piece of **Imagery**, visually conveying his profound humility, gratitude, and worship before God. This physical posture serves as a non-verbal affirmation of God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully underscores the divine sovereignty over human affairs, particularly in the realm of leadership and succession. It demonstrates that God's plan for His people is steadfast, even amidst human weakness, intrigue, and the natural progression of generations. The peaceful transition from David to Solomon, affirmed by the people's blessing and David's humble response, highlights the continuity of God's covenant promises. It teaches that true authority and blessing flow from God, and that leaders are ultimately established and empowered by Him. The prayer for Solomon to surpass David's greatness is a theological statement of hope for an ever-increasing manifestation of God's kingdom and blessing, a longing for the ultimate, perfect king.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Lord's Covenant with David")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [Psalm 72:1-20](/psalms/72 "Psalm 72 - A Prayer for the King")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 1:47 offers profound insights into how we, as believers, should approach transitions of leadership, both in the church and in society. It calls us to acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty in establishing and removing leaders, trusting that His purposes will prevail even when circumstances seem uncertain. Like the king's servants, we are encouraged to pray earnestly for those in authority, seeking God's wisdom, guidance, and blessing upon their endeavors, especially that their leadership might honor God and serve the common good. Furthermore, David's humble posture, even in his final moments, serves as a powerful reminder for us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and worship when we witness God's faithfulness at work. Whether in personal triumphs, communal blessings, or the peaceful continuation of God's work through others, our response should be one of humble adoration, recognizing that all good things flow from His hand. It encourages us to find contentment and joy in God's unfolding plan, even when our own season of leadership or influence may be drawing to a close, trusting Him with the future.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty in transitions of power (whether in leadership roles, family, or personal life) impact your sense of peace and trust?**
* **In what ways can you actively "bless" and pray for your current leaders, asking God to make their "name" and "throne" (their influence and authority) greater for His glory?**
* **Reflect on a time when God fulfilled a promise in your life or community. How did you respond, and what can David's humility teach you about gratitude and worship in such moments?**
* **How does the peaceful transfer of power in this verse challenge our natural tendencies towards control or anxiety about the future?**

### FAQ
**Why did the servants wish for Solomon's name and throne to be "better" and "greater" than David's? Was this disrespectful to David?**

Answer: This was not disrespectful to David, but rather a common form of hyperbolic blessing in the ancient Near East. The "name" represented one's reputation, character, and legacy, while the "throne" symbolized authority and dynasty. The servants' wish expressed a fervent prayer and hope that Solomon's reign would be even more prosperous, peaceful, and glorious than David's, building upon David's already illustrious legacy. It was an acknowledgment of God's continued favor and a desire for the kingdom's future to be exceedingly blessed, reflecting the boundless nature of divine blessing. It also implicitly acknowledged the Davidic Covenant, which promised an enduring dynasty and hinted at a greater, future king.

**What is the significance of King David bowing himself upon the bed, especially given his frail condition?**

Answer: David's act of bowing, despite his extreme physical weakness and confinement to his bed, is profoundly significant. It is a posture of deep humility, gratitude, and worship. It signifies his acceptance of God's sovereign will in establishing Solomon as his successor, fulfilling the divine promise for an enduring dynasty (see [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")). It shows David's contentment and peace in witnessing the continuity of God's plan for Israel before his death. This humble act reflects his lifelong devotion to God and his trust in the Lord's faithfulness, even as his own earthly reign was drawing to a close.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 1:47, with its themes of divine succession, a greater king, and an enduring throne, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The servants' prayer for Solomon's "name" and "throne" to be "greater" than David's points beyond Solomon to the true Son of David, whose reign would indeed surpass all earthly kings. While Solomon brought a period of unparalleled peace and prosperity to Israel, his kingdom was ultimately temporary and flawed. Jesus, however, is the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings"), whose name is truly "better" and "greater" than any other, for "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - The Exaltation of Jesus")). His throne is not merely greater, but eternal, for the angel Gabriel declared to Mary that the Lord God would give Jesus "the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end" ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel's Prophecy to Mary")). David's humble bowing upon his bed foreshadows the ultimate submission and worship due to the Messiah, who perfectly fulfills the Davidic Covenant and establishes a spiritual kingdom that knows no bounds, bringing an everlasting peace and righteousness that Solomon could only imperfectly prefigure.

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

1 Kings 1:37

As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.

Genesis 47:31

And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.

Exodus 12:32

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

Ezra 6:10

That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Hebrews 11:21

By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.

2 Samuel 8:10

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And [Joram] brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

Psalms 20:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;