1 Kings 15:5

KJV

Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because David {H1732} did {H6213} that which was right {H3477} in the eyes {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, and turned not aside {H5493} from any thing that he commanded {H6680} him all the days {H3117} of his life {H2416}, save only in the matter {H1697} of Uriah {H223} the Hittite {H2850}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For David had done what was right from ADONAI's perspective; he had not turned away from anything he had ordered him to do, as long as he lived, except in the matter of Uriyah the Hitti.

Berean Standard Bible

For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

American Standard Version

because David did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, and turned not aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 15:5 provides a retrospective divine assessment of King David's reign, affirming his consistent and lifelong adherence to the LORD's commands as the standard for righteous kingship. This profound commendation, however, is immediately and starkly qualified by the singular, grievous exception of his actions concerning Uriah the Hittite, which encompassed adultery, deception, and murder. The verse thus serves as a crucial benchmark for evaluating subsequent monarchs of Judah, simultaneously highlighting God's unwavering standard of righteousness and acknowledging the profound and lasting impact of even a single, significant deviation from His will by an otherwise faithful servant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of King Asa's reign in Judah, specifically at the commencement of the evaluation of his kingship, which spans [1 Kings 15:1-24](/1_kings/15-1-24 "1 Kings 15:1-24 - King Asa's Reign"). The author of Kings consistently employs a standardized formula to assess each monarch, frequently comparing their conduct to the ideal standard established by David. By explicitly stating that Asa "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done" ([1 Kings 15:11](/1_kings/15-11 "1 Kings 15:11 - Asa's Righteous Reign")), the text unequivocally establishes David as the benchmark for righteous rule. Verse 5, therefore, functions as a parenthetical explanation, clarifying *why* David is considered the quintessential standard, even while unflinchingly acknowledging his most infamous moral failure. It sharply contrasts David's general obedience with the widespread apostasy and idolatry of many other kings in both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, thereby emphasizing the unique and enduring nature of David's commitment to the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King David's reign in the 10th century BCE was a transformative period, marked by the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital and the solidification of the united monarchy of Israel. His era saw significant military expansion, sophisticated administrative organization, and the momentous bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, profoundly symbolizing God's active presence among His people. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, a king's success was often measured by military prowess, territorial expansion, and material prosperity. However, within Israel, the ultimate measure of a king's reign was his fidelity to the covenant with Yahweh. The phrase "in the eyes of the LORD" signifies a divine, moral evaluation that transcends mere human political or military achievements. The incident with Uriah the Hittite, meticulously detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba"), occurred during a time when kings were typically expected to lead their armies into battle, making David's presence in Jerusalem and his subsequent actions particularly egregious. Uriah's status as a loyal Hittite mercenary serving Israel further underscores the profound depth of David's betrayal and the moral gravity of his actions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several pivotal themes prevalent throughout the books of Samuel and Kings. Firstly, it profoundly underscores the **divine standard of kingship**, where true righteousness is measured not by political success or military might, but by unwavering obedience to God's commands. Kings are unequivocally accountable to God, and their actions are perpetually "in the eyes of the LORD." Secondly, it highlights the enduring theme of the **Davidic Covenant and Legacy**. Despite his monumental failure, David remains the foundational figure for the Judean monarchy, the one through whom God promised an enduring dynasty ([2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant")). His general obedience, as affirmed here, legitimizes his role as the ideal king, even as his sin serves as a potent cautionary tale for all who follow. Thirdly, the verse demonstrates the **unflinching honesty of biblical narrative** regarding human sin. Even the most revered and divinely chosen figures are presented with their profound flaws, emphasizing that no one is beyond moral failure, and God's judgment is consistently impartial. This radical honesty serves to magnify both God's justice and His sovereign grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **David (Hebrew, _Dâvid'_):** This proper noun (H1732) refers to the beloved youngest son of Jesse, who became the second king of Israel. The name itself, derived from a root meaning "loving," encapsulates his character as a "man after God's own heart" despite his profound failures. Here, his name anchors the divine assessment of his reign, setting him as the paradigm for all subsequent kings.
* **Right (Hebrew, _yâshâr'_):** The term (H3477) literally means "straight," "upright," or "just." In the context of human conduct, particularly kingship, it signifies moral integrity, adherence to God's covenant stipulations, and a life lived in alignment with divine will. It is a recurring evaluative term in Kings and Chronicles, indicating whether a king's reign was pleasing to God. David's life is here affirmed as largely "straight" and morally upright in God's sight.
* **Matter (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This versatile Hebrew word (H1697) can mean "word," "thing," "affair," or "business." In this context, "the matter of Uriah the Hittite" concisely encapsulates the entire complex and grievous affair detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah"). It refers to the specific incident and its associated actions—adultery, deception, and the orchestrated murder—which constituted David's singular, yet catastrophic, deviation from God's commands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD":** This opening clause establishes the fundamental divine assessment of David's character and the overall trajectory of his reign. It signifies that David's actions, his underlying motives, and the general course of his life were pleasing and acceptable to God. The phrase "in the eyes of the LORD" powerfully emphasizes God's omniscient perspective and His role as the ultimate, impartial judge of all human conduct, particularly that of His chosen leaders.
* **"and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life":** This clause further elaborates on the nature of David's righteousness, defining it as unwavering obedience and steadfast adherence to God's every command. The phrase "turned not aside" (לֹא־סָר, *lo-sar*, from H5493) implies a consistent dedication, a resolute refusal to deviate from the path God had laid out for His people. "All the days of his life" highlights the comprehensive and enduring nature of this commitment, presenting it as a lifelong pattern of faithfulness that set him apart.
* **"save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite":** This crucial qualifying clause introduces the sole, yet profoundly significant, exception to David's otherwise exemplary record of obedience. The "matter of Uriah the Hittite" is a concise, yet loaded, allusion to the complex and grievous series of sins detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah"), involving adultery with Bathsheba, calculated deception, and the orchestrated murder of her loyal husband, Uriah. This exception is far from trivial; it represents a grave breach of multiple divine commands (adultery, murder, coveting) and stands as a stark, indelible reminder that even the most devoted and divinely favored can fall catastrophically.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Contrast** is central to its construction, setting David's general, lifelong obedience against the single, glaring exception of Uriah. This juxtaposition powerfully highlights the magnitude of that particular sin while simultaneously affirming David's overall faithfulness. The phrase "all the days of his life" functions as a form of **hyperbole** or **generalization**, emphasizing the pervasive nature of his obedience, which is then immediately qualified by the singular, devastating exception. This structural technique creates a subtle sense of **irony**: the king who largely walked uprightly and was deemed "right in the eyes of the LORD" committed one of the most heinous acts recorded in Scripture. Furthermore, the succinct reference to "the matter of Uriah the Hittite" is a potent form of **allusion**, relying on the reader's prior knowledge of the detailed, tragic narrative in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah") and [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan Confronts David") to convey the full weight and moral gravity of David's transgression without needing to recount it. This conciseness underscores the indelible stain of the sin on his otherwise commendable record.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 15:5 offers a profound theological statement on the nature of divine judgment and human accountability. It underscores that God's standard for righteousness is absolute and unwavering; even a celebrated, divinely chosen king like David is not exempt from the consequences of his sin. While acknowledging David's general faithfulness and his remarkable devotion, the verse adamantly refuses to whitewash his gravest transgression, demonstrating God's impartiality and the Bible's unwavering commitment to truth. This honest portrayal serves as a powerful reminder that human righteousness is always imperfect and that even one significant act of disobedience can have profound and lasting implications, both personally and corporately, for generations. Yet, the verse's overall commendation of David, despite this glaring flaw, also subtly points to the reality of divine grace and the possibility of genuine repentance, which allowed David to remain in God's favor and continue his role as king despite his sin. It highlights that God looks at the overall trajectory and heart of a person, even amidst profound failures.

* [2 Samuel 11:1-27](/2_samuel/11-1-27 "David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah")
* [2 Samuel 12:1-15](/2_samuel/12-1-15 "Nathan's Confrontation and David's Repentance")
* [Psalm 51:1-19](/psalms/51-1-19 "David's Prayer of Repentance and Confession")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse presents a remarkably balanced and profoundly realistic portrait of a biblical hero, offering timeless lessons for every believer. It affirms David's lifelong commitment to God's commands, setting him apart as a standard of faithfulness for future kings and for us. This reminds us that a life characterized by general obedience and a heart genuinely devoted to God are highly valued in His sight, forming the bedrock of a pleasing walk with Him. At the same time, it unflinchingly highlights his most significant moral failure—the complex and devastating sin involving adultery, deception, and murder related to Uriah. This serves as a sobering reminder that even those who are largely faithful, deeply committed to God, and divinely favored can stumble profoundly and catastrophically. No one is above the temptation to sin, and even one act of disobedience, particularly one of such magnitude, can have devastating, far-reaching consequences, impacting not only ourselves but also those around us, our families, our witness, and our legacy. Yet, the overall assessment of David's life as "right in the eyes of the LORD" despite this grave sin speaks volumes about God's immense grace, His willingness to forgive genuine repentance, and His sovereign ability to use imperfect people for His perfect purposes. It calls us to pursue a life of consistent, wholehearted obedience while simultaneously embracing profound humility, confessing our failures without reservation, and trusting in God's boundless mercy when we inevitably fall short of His perfect standard.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's honest portrayal of David's sin impact your understanding of biblical heroes and the nature of faith, particularly concerning human imperfection?**
* **What does the phrase "right in the eyes of the LORD" imply about God's standard for our lives, and how might it differ from human standards of success or morality?**
* **Considering David's overall faithfulness, what profound lessons can we learn about the enduring impact of even a single, significant moral failure on a person's life and legacy?**
* **How does David's subsequent, profound repentance (as seen in [Psalm 51](/psalms/51 "Psalm 51 - David's Prayer of Repentance")) help reconcile the "exception" of Uriah with the overall commendation of his life?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse excuse David's sin, given that he is still praised as doing "right in the eyes of the LORD"?**

Answer: No, this verse absolutely does not excuse David's sin. Rather, it highlights the extreme severity of the "matter of Uriah the Hittite" by presenting it as the *sole* exception to an otherwise exemplary life of obedience. The Bible consistently portrays David's actions regarding Uriah as a grave transgression, leading to severe consequences for David and his household, as meticulously detailed in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan Confronts David"). The praise for David's general righteousness acknowledges his prevailing commitment to God's commands throughout his long reign, which profoundly set him apart from many other kings who consistently rebelled against the LORD. It speaks to the overall trajectory and heart attitude of David, who, despite this catastrophic failure, demonstrated genuine repentance and continued to seek God's will.

**How can David be considered a "man after God's own heart" if he committed such a grievous sin?**

Answer: The designation "a man after God's own heart" (found in [1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God Seeks a Man After His Own Heart") and reiterated in [Acts 13:22](/acts/13-22 "Acts 13:22 - David, a Man After God's Own Heart")) refers primarily to David's disposition and his general orientation towards God's will, particularly in stark contrast to King Saul's persistent disobedience. It signifies that David, unlike Saul, was fundamentally willing to submit to God's authority and commands, even when he failed. Crucially, when confronted with his sin by the prophet Nathan, David immediately confessed and demonstrated genuine, heartfelt repentance ([2 Samuel 12:13](/2_samuel/12-13 "2 Samuel 12:13 - David's Confession")). This profound capacity for genuine repentance and his consistent desire to follow God's ways, despite his profound moral lapse, allowed him to maintain his unique relationship with the LORD and his status as the ideal king in Israel's history, a standard against which all future kings would be measured.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 15:5, while evaluating an Old Testament king, profoundly points to the absolute necessity and perfect fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. David, despite being the "man after God's own heart" and the ideal king by human standards, ultimately failed in a devastating way, demonstrating that even the very best of human leaders cannot perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands. His "save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" highlights the enduring stain and profound consequences of sin, even on an otherwise commendable life, underscoring the universal human inability to achieve perfect, unblemished righteousness. This inherent flaw in David, and indeed in all humanity, creates a deep longing for a King who would truly "turn not aside from any thing that he commanded him," a King whose obedience would be complete and without blemish. Jesus Christ is that perfect King, the greater Son of David, who alone "did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD" without any exception, flaw, or deviation. Unlike David, Jesus was "without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")), perfectly obeying the Father in every aspect of His life, even to the ultimate point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His perfect, unblemished righteousness is what makes Him the spotless Lamb of God, uniquely capable of taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and the only one through whom humanity can be declared righteous "in the eyes of the LORD" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin For Us")). Thus, David's qualified righteousness in 1 Kings 15:5 serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow, illustrating the desperate need for the flawless, complete, and eternal righteousness found only in 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 14:8

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and [yet] thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do [that] only [which was] right in mine eyes;

2 Samuel 11:15

And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

2 Samuel 11:17

And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell [some] of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

1 Kings 15:3

And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

2 Samuel 12:9

Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

2 Samuel 12:10

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

Luke 1:6

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.