1 Kings 6:13

KJV

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will dwell {H7931} among {H8432} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and will not forsake {H5800} my people {H5971} Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will live in it among the people of Isra'el, and I will not abandon my people Isra'el."

Berean Standard Bible

And I will dwell among the Israelites and will not abandon My people Israel.”

American Standard Version

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 6:13 captures a profound divine promise delivered to Solomon during the construction of the Temple, affirming God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It declares God's intention to "dwell among" the Israelites and His steadfast resolve "not to forsake" them, thereby establishing a crucial theological link between the physical sanctuary and the conditional nature of God's abiding presence, contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to His commands. This verse underscores that while the Temple was a symbol of His dwelling, the true relationship was rooted in covenant obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the detailed account of King Solomon's construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, specifically in [1 Kings 6](/1-kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple"). Chapters [1 Kings 5](/1-kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Preparations for the Temple") and [1 Kings 6](/1-kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple") describe the meticulous preparations, the gathering of materials, and the actual building process, emphasizing the immense scale and sacred purpose of the undertaking. Immediately preceding [1 Kings 6:13](/1-kings/6-13 "1 Kings 6:13 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel"), the text details the dimensions and features of the inner sanctuary and the overall structure. The verse itself serves as a divine interjection, a word from the Lord to Solomon, clarifying that the efficacy and permanence of God's dwelling in this magnificent structure were not automatic but deeply intertwined with Israel's obedience to the covenant, as indicated by the preceding verses that emphasize God's statutes and judgments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of a central temple was a monumental undertaking in the ancient Near East, often signifying the power and piety of the king and the stability of the nation. For Israel, however, the Temple was unique. It was not merely a grand edifice for a national deity but the designated dwelling place for the One True God, Yahweh, who had chosen Israel as His covenant people. This Temple was a permanent successor to the portable [Tabernacle](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - The Command to Build the Tabernacle"), which had symbolized God's presence during their wilderness wanderings. The promise in [1 Kings 6:13](/1-kings/6-13 "1 Kings 6:13 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel") thus connects to a long history of God's desire to be present among His people, from Eden to the patriarchal covenants, and especially the Mosaic Covenant at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God Appears at Mount Sinai"), where God explicitly promised to dwell among them if they obeyed His voice.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in [1 Kings 6:13](/1-kings/6-13 "1 Kings 6:13 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel") revolve around God's **Divine Presence** (His desire to be intimately present with His people), **Covenant Faithfulness** (both God's unwavering commitment and the expectation of Israel's obedience), and the **Conditional Nature of Blessing**. The Temple was meant to be the tangible manifestation of God's presence, a place where His glory would reside, echoing the instructions given for the [Tabernacle in Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - The Command to Build the Tabernacle"). However, the promise of His enduring presence and His refusal to "forsake" them was explicitly tied to Israel's adherence to the statutes and ordinances of the Mosaic Covenant, as articulated in passages like [Leviticus 26:11-12](/leviticus/26-11 "Leviticus 26:11 - God's Dwelling Among Israel") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). This highlights the ongoing tension in Israel's history between God's unconditional election and His conditional blessings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dwell (Hebrew, _shakan'_):** This verb signifies settling down, residing, or pitching a tent. It is the root word from which the noun _mishkan_ (Tabernacle) and the concept of _Shekinah_ (God's glorious, manifest presence) are derived. Its use here emphasizes a personal, intimate, and tangible presence of God among His people, not merely a distant oversight. It evokes the imagery of God "tabernacling" among His people, a profound expression of His desire for communion.
* **Forsake (Hebrew, _'azav'_):** This word implies abandoning, leaving, or deserting. When used in the context of God, it speaks to His steadfast loyalty and unwavering commitment to His covenant. The promise "will not forsake" reassures Israel of God's enduring faithfulness, even when their own faithfulness might waver. It underscores His character as a God who keeps His promises and remains true to His people, despite their imperfections.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will dwell among the children of Israel,"**: This clause expresses God's profound desire for intimate communion with His chosen people. The construction of the Temple was a response to this divine longing, providing a designated, central place for His presence. It signifies God's active involvement in the life of the nation, promising His protective care, guidance, and blessing from within their midst. This dwelling is not a passive observation but an active, relational presence.
* **"and will not forsake my people Israel."**: This second clause reinforces the steadfastness of God's covenant loyalty. Despite Israel's future failures and periods of disobedience, God's fundamental commitment to His people, rooted in His immutable character and the covenants He established with Abraham and Moses, remains. This promise offers profound reassurance of His enduring love, support, and a refusal to abandon them entirely, even when discipline is necessary. It speaks to the ultimate security of God's relationship with His elect nation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Promise** is central, as God directly declares His intentions to Solomon, offering a powerful assurance of His presence and faithfulness. The use of the first-person "I will" emphasizes the **Sovereignty** and **Personal Nature** of God's commitment. There is a clear element of **Covenant Language**, echoing the conditional promises and blessings found throughout the Pentateuch, particularly in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings for Obedience, Curses for Disobedience") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The phrase "dwell among" and "not forsake" also exhibits **Parallelism**, reinforcing the singular idea of God's abiding presence and loyalty through two distinct but complementary expressions. This repetition serves to underscore the profound importance and certainty of the divine declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 6:13 is a powerful encapsulation of God's enduring desire for intimate relationship with humanity, a theme that runs throughout biblical history. From His walk with Adam and Eve in the Garden to His dwelling in the Tabernacle and then the Temple, God consistently seeks to be present with His people. This verse, however, also subtly introduces the tension between God's unconditional election of Israel and the conditional nature of His manifest blessings and continued dwelling, which are contingent upon Israel's obedience to the covenant. It foreshadows the challenges Israel would face in maintaining this obedience, leading to periods where God's presence seemed withdrawn, yet His ultimate promise to "not forsake" them remained, pointing to a deeper, unbreakable covenant loyalty that would ultimately find its fulfillment in Christ.

* [Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel")
* [Leviticus 26:11-12](/leviticus/26-11 "Leviticus 26:11-12 - God's Dwelling and Walking Among Israel")
* [Ezekiel 37:26-27](/ezekiel/37-26 "Ezekiel 37:26-27 - God's Everlasting Covenant and Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 6:13 offers profound comfort and challenge to believers today. It reminds us that God's deepest desire is to be intimately present with His people. While the physical Temple no longer stands as His primary dwelling, the New Testament reveals that God's presence is now manifested in an even more profound way: through the indwelling Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers, making each Christian a living "temple of the Holy Spirit." This truth transforms our understanding of worship and daily life, as we are called to live in a manner worthy of His holy presence within us. Furthermore, the promise "I will not forsake my people" echoes through the ages, assuring us of God's unwavering faithfulness and steadfast love, even when we stumble. This provides immense confidence and solace, knowing that in Christ, we have a God who will never leave us nor abandon us, regardless of our circumstances or past failures. It calls us to respond with faithful obedience, not to earn His presence, but as a joyful response to His abiding love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God "dwelling among" His people in the Old Testament Temple inform your understanding of God's presence in your life today?**
* **In what ways does the promise "I will not forsake my people" bring you comfort or challenge in your personal walk of faith?**
* **How does our understanding of God's conditional blessings in the Old Testament relate to the New Covenant promise of God's unfailing presence through the Holy Spirit?**

### FAQ

**Was God's promise to dwell among Israel conditional or unconditional?**

Answer: God's promise in [1 Kings 6:13](/1-kings/6-13 "1 Kings 6:13 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel") is both. The fundamental, overarching promise that God would "not forsake my people Israel" speaks to His unconditional covenant faithfulness, rooted in His character and His election of Abraham's descendants. This aspect of His promise is steadfast and enduring. However, the *full experience* of His dwelling and the blessings associated with His presence within the Temple were conditional upon Israel's obedience to His statutes and judgments, as explicitly stated in the verses immediately preceding [1 Kings 6:13](/1-kings/6-13 "1 Kings 6:13 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel") (e.g., [1 Kings 6:12](/1-kings/6-12 "1 Kings 6:12 - The Condition of God's Promise")). If Israel walked in His ways, His presence would remain; if they rebelled, His glory would eventually depart, as seen later in Ezekiel's vision ([Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory of the Lord Departs")). So, while His commitment to them as a people was unconditional, the manifest enjoyment of His dwelling was conditional on their fidelity to the covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The promise of God to "dwell among the children of Israel" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Apostle John declares that "the Word became flesh and [dwelt] among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us"), using a Greek word, _skenoo_, which means "to tabernacle" or "to pitch a tent"). Jesus is the living Temple, the very embodiment of God's presence among humanity, as He Himself proclaimed, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"), referring to His body, [John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus Speaking of His Body as the Temple")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant where God's presence is no longer confined to a physical building but dwells within believers by the Holy Spirit, making each Christian a "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1-corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple"); [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1-corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Furthermore, Christ perfectly fulfills the "will not forsake" aspect of the promise; through His finished work, believers are assured of God's eternal presence and an unbreakable covenant relationship, as He promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You")). Ultimately, the vision of the New Jerusalem in [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity") depicts the final, perfect fulfillment: "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."

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

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Exodus 25:8

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Hebrews 13:5

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Leviticus 26:11

And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.

Revelation 21:3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

1 Kings 8:27

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?