1 Kings 11:36

KJV

And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

KJV (with Strong's)

And unto his son {H1121} will I give {H5414} one {H259} tribe {H7626}, that David {H1732} my servant {H5650} may have a light {H5216} alway {H3117} before {H6440} me in Jerusalem {H3389}, the city {H5892} which I have chosen {H977} me to put {H7760} my name {H8034} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

To his son I will give one tribe, so that David my servant will always have a light burning before me in Yerushalayim, the city I chose for myself as the place to put my name.

Berean Standard Bible

I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.

American Standard Version

And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a lamp alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Despite King Solomon's profound apostasy and the divine judgment pronounced upon his kingdom, 1 Kings 11:36 reveals God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with King David. This pivotal verse explains God's decision to preserve a remnant of the united monarchy—specifically, one tribe—for Solomon's son, Rehoboam, ensuring the continuation of David's royal line in Jerusalem. This act of mercy, rooted in divine commitment rather than human merit, underscores God's sovereign plan to maintain a "light" for David's dynasty, thereby safeguarding the lineage through which the promised Messiah would ultimately come, even amidst the consequences of human failure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of 1 Kings, immediately following the detailed account of King Solomon's tragic spiritual decline. Chapters 1-10 depict Solomon's unparalleled wisdom, immense wealth, and the glory of his reign, culminating in the dedication of the magnificent Temple. However, [1 Kings 11](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Solomon's Apostasy and God's Judgment") abruptly shifts to chronicle his catastrophic failure. Solomon's numerous foreign wives led him astray, causing him to worship foreign gods and build high places for their idols ([1 Kings 11:4-8](/1_kings/11-4-8 "1 Kings 11:4-8 - Solomon's Idolatry and Its Consequences")). This profound apostasy provoked God's fierce anger, leading to the pronouncement that He would tear the kingdom from Solomon's hand ([1 Kings 11:11](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11 - God Declares Judgment on Solomon")). Yet, out of steadfast love for David, God declared He would not execute this judgment during Solomon's lifetime and would leave one tribe to his son. Verse 36 precisely articulates the divine rationale for this crucial exception, setting the stage for the kingdom's division into Israel (the ten northern tribes) and Judah (the southern kingdom), a central theme of the subsequent chapters in [1 Kings](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the late period of Solomon's reign, a time characterized by immense prosperity and international influence, but also by growing internal spiritual rot. Solomon's alliances with foreign nations, sealed by marriages to princesses from various peoples, were intended to secure peace and trade, but they directly violated Mosaic law forbidding intermarriage with idolaters ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage with Foreign Nations")). In the ancient Near East, a king's dynasty was paramount, and the continuity of his "lamp" or "light" (a common metaphor for a reigning line) was a critical sign of divine favor and stability. The extinguishing of a king's lamp signified the end of his lineage and the collapse of his house. Jerusalem, as the divinely chosen capital and the site of the Temple, held immense religious and political significance. Its status as the city where God "put His name" signified His special presence, ownership, and covenantal relationship with Israel, making the preservation of a Davidic king there crucial for the nation's identity and future hope.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 11:36](/1_kings/11-36 "1 Kings 11:36 - God's Faithfulness to David's Line") powerfully reinforces several overarching themes central to the Deuteronomistic History. Foremost is **God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises**, particularly the Davidic Covenant established in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), which guaranteed an enduring dynasty for David. Despite Solomon's profound sin and the just judgment it incurred, God's commitment to David's lineage remains intact, demonstrating that divine promises are not contingent on human perfection but on God's own immutable character. Another key theme is the **consequences of disobedience**; while God's mercy prevails in preserving a remnant, Solomon's actions still result in the tearing away of ten tribes, illustrating that sin has severe repercussions, even for the most favored. The phrase "a light alway before me" highlights the **symbolism of the Davidic dynasty as a perpetual lamp**, signifying the hope of an unbroken royal line that would eventually lead to the Messiah. Finally, the verse underscores **Jerusalem's unique theological status** as the city God chose to "put His name there," emphasizing its centrality in God's redemptive plan and its enduring significance as the spiritual heart of the kingdom, even in its fractured state.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Light (Hebrew, _nîyr_):** From H5216, this word literally means "lamp" or "light." Throughout the Old Testament, it is a potent metaphor for life, prosperity, and particularly the continuity of a family line or dynasty. To have one's "lamp extinguished" (e.g., [2 Samuel 21:17](/2_samuel/21-17 "2 Samuel 21:17 - David's Lamp Not Extinguished")) meant the end of a lineage or influence. Here, God's promise that David "may have a light alway before me" signifies an unbroken, enduring succession of kings from David's lineage, ensuring that his dynasty would not be completely extinguished despite the current king's failure. This is a direct affirmation of the eternal nature of the Davidic Covenant, emphasizing God's commitment to His promise.
* **Chosen (Hebrew, _bâchar_):** From H977, this verb signifies a deliberate, sovereign act of selection. It emphasizes that God's choice of Jerusalem was not arbitrary or based on human merit, but on His divine decree and purpose. God's choice of Jerusalem as the place "to put my name there" signifies His unique presence, ownership, and covenantal dwelling among His people. It highlights Jerusalem's sacred status as the spiritual and political center of the kingdom, a place where God's character and authority are uniquely manifested. This divine election ensures Jerusalem's enduring significance, even as the kingdom faces division, as it remains central to God's redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And unto his son will I give one tribe":** This initial clause reveals the specific act of divine mercy and judgment. Despite Solomon's widespread idolatry, God promises to preserve one tribe for his son, Rehoboam. This "one tribe" typically refers to the tribe of Judah, which would remain loyal to the Davidic dynasty, often including the small contiguous territory of Benjamin. This partial preservation demonstrates God's restraint in judgment, preventing the complete annihilation of the Davidic line as a consequence of Solomon's grievous sin, thereby maintaining a remnant for His greater purposes.
* **"that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem":** This phrase articulates the profound theological reason for God's mercy and the preservation of the single tribe. The continuity is not for Solomon's sake, but for "David my servant," highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness to the Davidic Covenant ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant and Its Promises")). The "light" symbolizes the enduring presence and continuity of David's royal line, signifying that his lamp would not be extinguished. "Alway before me" underscores that this continuity is under God's direct oversight and for His glory, ensuring that a descendant of David would perpetually reign in Jerusalem, maintaining the hope of the promised Messiah.
* **"the city which I have chosen me to put my name there":** This final clause reaffirms Jerusalem's unique and divinely ordained status. God's "choosing" of Jerusalem and His decision to "put His name there" signifies His special presence, ownership, and covenantal relationship with the city. It is the designated place for His Temple and the center of His worship. This divine election ensures Jerusalem's enduring significance as the spiritual and political capital, even as the kingdom faces internal strife and division, reinforcing its indispensable role in God's unfolding redemptive plan for His people and the world.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and underscore its theological importance. **Symbolism** is prominently featured in the phrase "a light alway before me," where "light" (נֵר, _ner_) symbolizes the enduring vitality and continuity of David's royal dynasty. This metaphor evokes the image of a perpetually burning lamp, signifying the unbroken succession of kings from David's lineage, a promise of life and presence in stark contrast to the extinguishing of a lamp which would signify death and the end of a line. The repetition of God's action of "choosing" Jerusalem and "putting His name there" functions as a powerful form of **Emphasis** or **Divine Fiat**, underscoring the city's unique and sacred status, not by human merit but by sovereign divine decree. This reinforces Jerusalem's centrality to God's covenantal purposes, even amidst the backdrop of royal failure and impending national division, highlighting its enduring significance as the place of God's special presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 11:36 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant faithfulness, even in the face of profound human sin. While Solomon's apostasy justly incurred divine judgment, God's prior commitment to David's lineage superseded the immediate consequences of Solomon's rebellion, demonstrating that God's promises are rooted in His unchanging character, not in human performance. This verse highlights the tension between divine judgment and divine mercy, revealing God's long-suffering patience and His strategic preservation of the Davidic line for the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan. The "light" of David's dynasty, maintained in Jerusalem, serves as a beacon of hope, pointing forward to the ultimate King who would perfectly embody God's rule and establish an everlasting kingdom.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3-4 "God's Covenant with David")
* [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Prophecy of the Messiah's Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 11:36 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our perfect obedience, but on His unchanging character and His sovereign plan. Solomon's tragic fall serves as a sobering warning that even those greatly blessed by God can stray, and that unaddressed sin, particularly idolatry and compromise, carries severe consequences that extend beyond the individual. Yet, amidst this judgment, God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David shines through, preserving a remnant of hope. This should instill in us a deep sense of security in God's promises, knowing that even when we fail, His ultimate purposes will prevail. It calls us to trust in His steadfast love and to recognize that His plans are always bigger than our present circumstances or shortcomings. We are invited to reflect on the enduring nature of God's covenant with us in Christ, which is likewise secured by His faithfulness, not our own merit, offering us an unshakable hope and a call to live in responsive obedience to His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness to David, despite Solomon's profound sin, encourage you in your own walk with God and your understanding of divine grace?**
* **What "idols" or compromises might be subtly drawing your heart away from God, similar to Solomon's foreign entanglements?**
* **In what ways can you discern God's sovereign plan unfolding even amidst difficult or seemingly chaotic circumstances in your personal life or the broader world?**
* **How does the concept of Jerusalem as the city where God "put His name" deepen your understanding of God's desire for a dwelling place among His people and His ultimate presence with us?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "a light alway before me" for David?**

Answer: The phrase "a light alway before me" (Hebrew: נֵר, _ner_) is a powerful symbol of the enduring continuity and vitality of David's royal dynasty. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a lamp symbolized life, prosperity, and the unbroken succession of a family line. To have one's lamp extinguished meant the end of their lineage or influence. Therefore, God's promise here signifies that despite Solomon's apostasy and the impending division of the kingdom, a descendant of David would always remain on the throne in Jerusalem, ensuring the perpetuation of his royal line. This was a direct fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, promising an eternal dynasty ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "God's Promise to David's House")). It maintained the hope that the promised Messiah, who would be a son of David, would eventually come, thereby securing the lineage through which salvation history would progress.

**Why did God only give "one tribe" to Solomon's son, Rehoboam?**

Answer: God's decision to give only "one tribe" (primarily Judah, along with Benjamin) to Rehoboam was an act of both righteous judgment and profound mercy. It was judgment for Solomon's profound idolatry and disobedience, as God had explicitly warned that He would tear the kingdom from him ([1 Kings 11:11](/1_kings/11-11 "God's Judgment on Solomon")). However, it was also an act of mercy, specifically for the sake of God's covenant with "David my servant" ([1 Kings 11:12-13](/1_kings/11-12-13 "For David's Sake and Jerusalem's")). By preserving one tribe, God ensured that the "light" of David's dynasty would not be completely extinguished, maintaining the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually emerge. This partial judgment demonstrated God's justice while simultaneously upholding His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, proving that His ultimate redemptive plan would not be thwarted by human sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The preservation of "one tribe" and the promise of "a light alway" for David in 1 Kings 11:36 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "light" of David's dynasty, which seemed precarious and diminished after the division of the kingdom and subsequent exiles, ultimately culminated in Jesus, who is the true and eternal "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "Jesus, the Light of the World")). He is the promised Son of David, born into that very lineage preserved through centuries of turmoil and even apostasy ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). The covenant God made with David, promising an eternal throne and kingdom ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant")), is perfectly realized in Christ, whose kingdom "will have no end" ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "The Eternal Kingdom of Christ")). The "one tribe" of Judah, from which Jesus descended, became the vessel for God's redemptive plan, ensuring that the promise of a king from David's line would culminate not in a mere earthly monarch, but in the divine Son who reigns eternally from the heavenly Jerusalem, the true city where God's name is perfectly glorified and His presence fully realized ([Revelation 21:2-3](/revelation/21-2-3 "The New Jerusalem and God's Dwelling")). Thus, 1 Kings 11:36 is a crucial prophetic thread, demonstrating God's meticulous and faithful preservation of the messianic line, even in the darkest hours of Israel's history, pointing all hope to the coming 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

1 Kings 15:4

Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

1 Kings 11:13

Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; [but] will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

2 Kings 8:19

Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, [and] to his children.

Psalms 132:17

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

2 Chronicles 21:7

Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

2 Samuel 21:17

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

Revelation 21:10

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,