1 Kings 8:37

KJV

If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, [or] if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness [there be];

KJV (with Strong's)

If there be in the land {H776} famine {H7458}, if there be pestilence {H1698}, blasting {H7711}, mildew {H3420}, locust {H697}, or if there be caterpiller {H2625}; if their enemy {H341} besiege {H6887} them in the land {H776} of their cities {H8179}; whatsoever plague {H5061}, whatsoever sickness {H4245} there be;

Complete Jewish Bible

"If there is famine in the land, or blight, windstorm, mildew, locusts or shearer-worms; or if their enemy comes to the land and besieges them in any of their cities- no matter what kind of plague or sickness it is;

Berean Standard Bible

When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come,

American Standard Version

If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 8:37 forms a crucial segment of King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly consecrated Temple in Jerusalem. In this comprehensive petition, Solomon meticulously enumerates a series of national calamities—ranging from widespread famine and devastating pestilence to agricultural blights like "blasting" and "mildew," destructive insect infestations such as "locust" and "caterpillar," and the existential threat of military siege by enemies. This detailed list, culminating in the all-encompassing phrase "whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness [there be]," underscores the profound understanding that Israel's well-being was inextricably linked to its covenant fidelity. Solomon's foresightful prayer anticipates potential divine judgments and national distresses, establishing the Temple as the designated focal point for the people's repentance and God's merciful intervention, thereby setting the stage for a divine response predicated on their turning back to Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Solomon's monumental dedicatory prayer for the Temple, recorded in [1 Kings 8:22-53](/1_kings/8-22 "1 Kings 8:22-53 - Solomon's Dedicatory Prayer"). Following the completion of the magnificent structure, Solomon stands before the altar, acknowledging God's faithfulness to His promises and looking forward to the future of the nation. His prayer is structured as a series of "if...then" clauses, each presenting a hypothetical scenario of national distress or sin, followed by a plea for God's merciful response when the people turn towards the Temple in repentance. [1 Kings 8:37](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37 - Solomon's Prayer for Calamities") is one such "if" clause, detailing the specific types of calamities that might befall the nation, thereby setting the stage for the subsequent plea for divine hearing and forgiveness found in [1 Kings 8:38-40](/1_kings/8-38 "1 Kings 8:38-40 - Solomon's Plea for Forgiveness"). This structure highlights the Temple's intended role not merely as a place of sacrifice, but as a central axis for prayer, confession, and seeking God's face during times of national distress.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society highly dependent on consistent rainfall and fertile land. Consequently, natural phenomena like drought, crop diseases, and insect infestations were not just inconveniences but existential threats, often interpreted through a theological lens as divine judgment or blessing. The concept of a covenant, particularly the Mosaic Covenant outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), explicitly detailed blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including many of the calamities listed in [1 Kings 8:37](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37 - Solomon's Prayer for Calamities"). Furthermore, military siege was a common and devastating form of warfare in the Ancient Near East, leading to famine, disease, and ultimately, subjugation. Solomon's prayer reflects a profound awareness of these vulnerabilities and the prevailing cultural understanding that national well-being was directly tied to the nation's relationship with its God. The Temple, therefore, was to serve as a tangible symbol of God's presence among His people, a place where they could appeal to Him in times of crisis, expecting a divine response based on their covenant relationship.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 8:37](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37 - Solomon's Prayer for Calamities") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty** of God, demonstrating His ultimate control over natural phenomena and the destinies of nations. Even calamities are within His purview, often serving as a call to repentance and a means of discipline for His people, as seen in the prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Amos 4:6-11](/amos/4-6 "Amos 4:6-11 - God's Discipline")). Secondly, the verse highlights the principle of **Covenant Consequences**, reinforcing that Israel's relationship with God was conditional, with blessings for obedience and specified curses for disobedience, a concept foundational to the Deuteronomic theology permeating Kings. Thirdly, it illuminates the **Purpose of the Temple**, envisioning it not merely as a house for God's name but as a central point for prayer, confession, and seeking God's face during times of national distress, a place where God's people could turn and expect His attention and mercy. Finally, underlying this enumeration of troubles is the profound belief in the **Power of Prayer and Repentance**, emphasizing that God hears and responds to the sincere prayers of a repentant people, offering a pathway to healing and restoration even in the direst circumstances, a promise famously echoed in [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Healing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blasting (Hebrew, _shiddaphon'_):** This term refers to a scorching wind or blight that causes crops to wither and dry up, often associated with intense heat or drought. It describes a specific agricultural catastrophe where plants are not merely diseased but are literally "blasted" or shriveled by adverse environmental conditions. This was a common and devastating threat to the grain-based economy of ancient Israel, leading directly to famine.
* **Mildew (Hebrew, _yeraqon'_):** Distinct from "blasting," "mildew" denotes a yellowing or pallor of plants, a fungal disease that attacks crops, causing them to turn yellow or pale and eventually destroying them. This biological blight, often exacerbated by damp conditions, could silently devastate entire harvests, leading to widespread food shortages. Both "blasting" and "mildew" are frequently mentioned together in the Old Testament as specific judgments against agricultural productivity (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:22](/deuteronomy/28-22 "Deuteronomy 28:22 - Blasting and Mildew as Curses"), [Amos 4:9](/amos/4-9 "Amos 4:9 - God's Judgment through Blight")).
* **Locust (Hebrew, _arbeh'_):** This term refers to a specific type of migratory grasshopper known for forming vast swarms that consume all vegetation in their path. Locust plagues were a terrifying and destructive force in the ancient world, capable of stripping entire landscapes bare in a matter of hours, leading to immediate and severe famine. The mention of "caterpillar" (Hebrew, _yeleq'_) alongside "locust" likely refers to different stages or types of these devastating swarms, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of insect-borne destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence,"**: Solomon begins with two of the most devastating and widespread national calamities. "Famine" refers to a severe shortage of food, typically caused by drought, crop failure, or war. "Pestilence" denotes a widespread epidemic disease, affecting humans or animals, leading to high mortality rates. These two conditions represent fundamental threats to the survival and stability of any ancient society, often seen as direct divine judgments.
* **"blasting, mildew, locust, [or] if there be caterpiller;"**: This clause specifies agricultural disasters that directly lead to famine. "Blasting" and "mildew" are plant diseases or blights that destroy crops, while "locust" and "caterpillar" refer to insect infestations that consume vegetation. This detailed enumeration highlights the specific vulnerabilities of an agrarian society and the various ways God might bring about scarcity as a consequence of national sin.
* **"if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities;"**: This shifts from natural or biological disasters to military conflict. A "siege" was a prolonged military blockade of a city, designed to starve its inhabitants into surrender. This was a common and brutal tactic in ancient warfare, leading to immense suffering, famine, and ultimately, the fall of cities and nations. It represents an external, human-orchestrated calamity, yet still within God's sovereign allowance or judgment.
* **"whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness [there be];"**: This concluding phrase serves as a comprehensive catch-all, encompassing any other form of widespread distress or individual affliction not explicitly listed. It demonstrates the all-encompassing nature of Solomon's prayer, ensuring that no form of suffering, whether national or personal, is outside the scope of God's concern or beyond the reach of His people's prayer. This phrase underscores the belief that God is sovereign over all circumstances, known and unknown.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Kings 8:37](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37 - Solomon's Prayer for Calamities") employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Enumeration**, where Solomon lists a series of distinct calamities (famine, pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, caterpillar, siege, plague, sickness). This detailed listing creates a sense of comprehensiveness, emphasizing that no form of national distress is overlooked in his prayer. Coupled with this is the use of **Hypothetical Conditional Statements** ("If there be..."), which structures Solomon's entire prayer. This "if-then" framework establishes the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where specific actions (turning to God in repentance) are expected to elicit a specific divine response (hearing and forgiveness). Finally, the verse concludes with a form of **Merism** or **Inclusio** through the phrase "whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness [there be]." By starting with specific, common calamities and concluding with an all-encompassing general statement, Solomon ensures that his petition covers every conceivable form of suffering, highlighting the boundless nature of God's potential judgment and, by implication, His boundless mercy when His people turn to Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Kings 8:37](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37 - Solomon's Prayer for Calamities") stands as a powerful testament to the biblical understanding of divine justice and mercy, particularly within the framework of the Mosaic Covenant. The calamities enumerated are not random misfortunes but are deeply rooted in the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), serving as a stark reminder that Israel's prosperity and peace were contingent upon their fidelity to God. Solomon's prayer, therefore, acknowledges God's right to bring judgment, yet simultaneously appeals to His compassionate nature, anticipating that such distresses would serve as a catalyst for national repentance. It underscores the profound theological truth that God's discipline is ultimately redemptive, designed to draw His people back into right relationship with Him. The Temple, as the place where God's name dwelt, became the symbolic locus for this turning, a spiritual compass guiding the people back to their divine covenant partner.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Healing")
* [Joel 2:25](/joel/2-25 "Joel 2:25 - God Restores What the Locusts Have Eaten")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's prayer in [1 Kings 8:37](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37 - Solomon's Prayer for Calamities") offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, even without a physical Temple. It reminds us that God remains sovereign over all circumstances, whether they be natural disasters, widespread diseases, economic hardships, or societal conflicts. Just as Solomon brought the full spectrum of potential national distress before God, we too are called to bring our personal and communal anxieties, fears, and sufferings to Him in prayer. This verse encourages a posture of humble dependence on God during hardship, recognizing that even in the midst of suffering, there is an invitation to examine our hearts, repent of sin, and turn back to the Lord. It cultivates a deep trust in God's compassionate nature, knowing that He hears the cries of His people and is willing to extend mercy and healing, not necessarily by removing the suffering instantly, but by sustaining us through it and drawing us closer to Himself. Our prayers, like Solomon's, should be comprehensive, acknowledging God's power over all things and our need for His grace in every facet of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's comprehensive list of calamities challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty over suffering in the world today?**
* **In what ways might current global or personal crises serve as a call to repentance and deeper reliance on God, similar to the intent behind the calamities listed by Solomon?**
* **How can we, as individuals and communities, cultivate a posture of prayer and humble turning to God during times of distress, mirroring Solomon's example?**

### FAQ
**Are all calamities mentioned in 1 Kings 8:37 a direct punishment from God for specific sins?**

Answer: While the Old Testament, particularly the Deuteronomic theology prevalent in Kings, often links national calamities to divine judgment for covenant disobedience (as seen in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), it's crucial to understand this within its broader theological context. Solomon's prayer acknowledges God's sovereignty over all these events, implying they can be instruments of divine discipline. However, it's not a simplistic one-to-one correlation where every individual or national suffering is a direct, immediate punishment for a specific sin. The Bible also teaches that suffering can be a test of faith ([Job 1-2](/job/1-2 "Job 1-2 - Satan Tests Job")), a means of refining character ([Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3-5 - Benefits of Suffering")), or simply part of living in a fallen world ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")). Solomon's prayer focuses on the *response* to calamity – turning to God in repentance – rather than solely on its *cause*, emphasizing God's mercy and willingness to hear.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Kings 8:37](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37 - Solomon's Prayer for Calamities"), with its enumeration of curses and Solomon's plea for divine intercession, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Solomon's prayer anticipates a future where God's people would face the consequences of sin, turning to the Temple for mercy. Christ, however, is the true and ultimate Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"), [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). He is the one who perfectly fulfilled the covenant, bearing the full weight of its curses on our behalf. Just as the Mosaic Law pronounced judgment for disobedience, Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from the law's condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). He not only intercedes for us as our High Priest, perpetually pleading our case before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood"), [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")), but He also conquered the very powers of sin, sickness, and death that Solomon listed. His atoning sacrifice on the cross addresses the root cause of all these calamities – human sin – offering forgiveness and reconciliation. Ultimately, in Christ, we find the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain")), a complete and final deliverance from all "plague" and "sickness" that Solomon could only anticipate.

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.