1 Kings 8:26

KJV

And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

KJV (with Strong's)

And now, O God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, let thy word {H1697}, I pray thee, be verified {H539}, which thou spakest {H1696} unto thy servant {H5650} David {H1732} my father {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now therefore, God of Isra'el, please let your word, which you spoke to your servant David, my father, be confirmed.

Berean Standard Bible

And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David.

American Standard Version

Now therefore, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Kings 8:26, during the momentous dedication of the First Temple, King Solomon humbly yet confidently petitions the God of Israel to bring to full realization a specific, crucial promise made to his father, King David. This verse encapsulates Solomon's deep understanding of God's covenantal faithfulness and his reliance on the divine word as the foundation for both his reign and the future of his dynasty. It is a prayer rooted in the conviction that God's spoken promises are utterly reliable and destined for fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within Solomon's magnificent prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem, as recorded in [1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Solomon's Temple Dedication"). The prayer itself is a theological centerpiece of the book, articulating Israel's understanding of God's presence among His people and the role of the Temple. Immediately preceding this verse, Solomon has already acknowledged God's faithfulness in fulfilling the promise regarding the Temple's construction (specifically referenced in [1 Kings 8:20](/1_kings/8-20 "1 Kings 8:20 - God Fulfills the Temple Promise")), which David was forbidden to build but Solomon was chosen to complete. Building upon this established track record of divine fidelity, Solomon now pivots from the promise concerning the Temple to the equally vital dynastic promise made to David, demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of God's covenantal dealings with His people and their king.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Temple marked a zenith in Israelite history, symbolizing God's permanent dwelling among His people in a tangible structure. This event occurred during Solomon's reign, a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and international prestige for Israel. In the ancient Near East, kings often sought divine favor and legitimacy for their rule, and the concept of a dynastic promise was not unique. However, God's covenant with David, as detailed in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), was distinct in its unilateral, unconditional nature and its promise of an eternal house and kingdom. Solomon's prayer reflects the profound theological understanding that Israel's national identity and the legitimacy of its monarchy were inextricably linked to God's promises, particularly the Davidic Covenant. The Temple itself was a physical manifestation of God's covenant presence, and Solomon's prayer was a public reaffirmation of the spiritual foundations of his kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by this verse is **God's Unwavering Faithfulness**. Solomon's petition is not born of doubt but of confident expectation, appealing to God's immutable character as one who keeps His word. This directly relates to the theme of **The Davidic Covenant**, the specific "word...spakest unto thy servant David my father" (cf. [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Promise to David")). This covenant promised David an enduring dynasty and a perpetual throne, a promise that Solomon, as David's son and successor, was keenly aware of and deeply invested in. The verse also highlights the nature of **Prayer as an Act of Trust and Remembrance**. Solomon's plea to "verify" God's word is a model of prayer that recalls God's past actions and appeals to His revealed will, demonstrating that true prayer is often a confident appeal to God's character and His divine promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verified (Hebrew, _'aman'_):** This verb carries the core meaning of being firm, trustworthy, established, or confirmed. It is the root of the Hebrew word "Amen," signifying truth, certainty, and reliability. When Solomon prays for God's word to be "verified," he is not implying that God's word is currently uncertain or needs external validation. Rather, he is asking for God to demonstrate its truthfulness, to bring it to fruition, to show it to be firm and established in tangible reality. It is a plea for the active manifestation of God's promise.
* **Word (Hebrew, _davar'_):** In this context, "word" refers to God's spoken promise, His decree, or His revealed will. The _davar_ of God is not merely a sound or a concept; it is imbued with divine power and authority, carrying the inherent capacity to accomplish what it declares. Solomon is appealing to the active, creative, and binding nature of God's spoken revelation, confident that what God has declared, He will perform.
* **Spakest (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** This verb emphasizes the direct, personal, and authoritative nature of God's communication to David. It highlights the divine initiative in establishing the covenant and underscores the personal relationship God had with David, which now extends to Solomon as his heir. The promise was not an abstract concept but a specific, divinely uttered commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now, O God of Israel":** This phrase marks a significant transition within Solomon's prayer. "And now" signals a move from acknowledging God's past faithfulness (in fulfilling the Temple promise) to a present, earnest petition. The direct address, "O God of Israel," emphasizes God's unique covenantal relationship with His chosen people and their king, grounding the petition in the established divine-human bond.
* **"let thy word, I pray thee, be verified":** This is the core of Solomon's supplication. "Let thy word...be verified" is a humble yet confident plea for God to act in accordance with His revealed will. It is a request for God to make His promise manifest, to confirm its truth by bringing it into tangible existence. "I pray thee" adds a note of reverence and dependence, acknowledging that the fulfillment rests solely on God's sovereign power and grace.
* **"which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father":** This clause precisely identifies the specific divine "word" Solomon is referring to: the Davidic Covenant. By linking the promise directly to "David my father," Solomon grounds his own reign and future in the legacy of God's prior covenant with David, emphasizing continuity and the generational faithfulness of God. It highlights that Solomon's request is not for a new promise, but for the ongoing fulfillment of an existing, foundational one.

#### Literary Devices
Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8, and specifically this verse, employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Invocation**, as Solomon directly addresses "O God of Israel," calling upon the covenant Lord of his people. This sets the tone for a direct and personal appeal. The entire verse functions as a **Petition** or **Supplication**, a humble yet confident request made to a superior power. Central to the verse is the use of **Covenantal Language**, explicitly referencing "thy word...which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father," which immediately evokes the solemn and binding nature of God's promises, particularly the Davidic Covenant. While not a direct literary device in this single verse, the broader prayer of Solomon builds a powerful rhetorical effect through its consistent appeal to God's past faithfulness as a basis for future action, creating a sense of **Rhetorical Argumentation** where God's character is the ultimate guarantee.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound theological implication of 1 Kings 8:26 lies in its affirmation of God's absolute fidelity to His covenant promises. Solomon's prayer is a powerful statement that God's word is not merely a suggestion or a possibility, but a firm and reliable decree that will inevitably come to pass. This unwavering faithfulness of God is the bedrock of Israelite theology and provides the foundation for all hope, both for the earthly kingdom and for the future messianic reign. The Davidic Covenant, specifically invoked here, is a pivotal theological concept, establishing the lineage through which God's ultimate king would come, ensuring a continuity of divine purpose across generations and pointing towards an eternal kingdom. Solomon's plea for "verification" is a recognition that while God's promises are certain, humanity is called to participate through prayer, aligning their desires with God's revealed will and trusting Him to bring His plans to fruition in His timing.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "The Davidic Covenant Promise")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "God's Covenant with David")
* [Jeremiah 33:17](/jeremiah/33-17 "Promise of a Davidic King")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:26 offers a timeless model for our own faith and prayer life. His confidence, rooted in God's demonstrated faithfulness in the past (the Temple's completion), empowers his petition for future fulfillment (the Davidic dynasty). This teaches us to approach God not with doubt, but with an assurance built upon His unchanging character and His revealed word. We are invited to recall God's past mercies and promises, using them as the foundation for our present requests. To pray for God to "verify" His word is to align our hearts with His divine purposes, trusting that what He has promised, He is fully capable and committed to performing. This perspective shifts prayer from a mere request for personal desires to an active participation in God's ongoing work in the world, recognizing that His faithfulness extends not just to us individually, but across generations and throughout history, ensuring His ultimate plan will unfold.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's confidence in God's past faithfulness (regarding the Temple) inform his present prayer for the Davidic Covenant's fulfillment?**
* **What specific promises of God, found in Scripture, are you currently praying for "verification" or manifestation in your life or in the world around you?**
* **How does understanding God's generational faithfulness, as exemplified from David to Solomon and beyond, strengthen your trust in His ongoing work and promises for your future?**

### FAQ

**Why does Solomon ask God to "verify" His word if God is already faithful?**

Answer: Solomon's request for God's word to be "verified" (Hebrew: _'aman'_) is not an expression of doubt in God's faithfulness, but rather a profound act of faith and a plea for the *manifestation* of that faithfulness. The term "verified" here means to be shown true, established, or brought to fruition. Solomon is not asking God to *prove* His word, but to *perform* it. He has just witnessed God's faithfulness in bringing the promise of the Temple's construction to pass ([1 Kings 8:20](/1_kings/8-20 "1 Kings 8:20 - God Fulfills the Temple Promise")), and now he confidently appeals to God's character to fulfill the even grander, dynastic promise made to David. It's a recognition that while God's promises are certain in His divine counsel, their earthly realization often involves human prayer and participation. It's a model of praying God's own promises back to Him, trusting Him to bring His revealed will into tangible reality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "word...spakest unto thy servant David my father" (1 Kings 8:26) refers to the Davidic Covenant, a pivotal promise that finds its ultimate and eternal fulfillment not in Solomon or any subsequent earthly king, but in Jesus Christ. While Solomon's reign was a temporary and imperfect fulfillment, God's promise of an eternal throne and kingdom to David's lineage ultimately points to the Messiah. Jesus is explicitly identified as the "Son of David" (e.g., [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ")), and the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that her son, Jesus, would inherit the "throne of his father David" and "of his kingdom there will be no end" ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")). Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, declared that David "was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne" and that this promise was fulfilled in the resurrection and ascension of Jesus ([Acts 2:30-36](/acts/2-30 "Acts 2:30-36 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")). Jesus is the true "Amen" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - Message to Laodicea")), the faithful and true witness, in whom "all the promises of God find their Yes" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Thus, Solomon's prayer for the verification of God's word to David is ultimately answered in the eternal, unshakable reign of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

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 7:25

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish [it] for ever, and do as thou hast said.

2 Samuel 7:29

Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken [it]: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Jeremiah 11:5

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as [it is] this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

1 Kings 8:23

And he said, LORD God of Israel, [there is] no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

Psalms 119:49

¶ ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

Exodus 24:10

And they saw the God of Israel: and [there was] under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in [his] clearness.

2 Chronicles 1:9

Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.