1 Kings 8:40

That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

That they may fear {H3372} thee all the days {H3117} that they live {H2416} in {H6440} the land {H127} which thou gavest {H5414} unto our fathers {H1}.

so that they will fear you throughout the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.

so that they may fear You all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.

that they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

Commentary

1 Kings 8:40 is a pivotal verse within King Solomon's magnificent prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. This particular petition expresses a deep desire for the people of Israel to maintain a constant and profound reverence for God throughout their generations, as they dwell in the land divinely promised to their ancestors.

Context

This verse is part of a much larger prayer (1 Kings 8:22-61) offered by King Solomon before the entire assembly of Israel at the dedication of the Temple. Having just brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies, Solomon intercedes on behalf of the nation, articulating various scenarios where the people might need God's mercy and intervention. His prayer covers everything from sin and drought to defeat in battle and exile, always returning to the idea that God's presence in the Temple would serve as a focal point for their prayers and repentance. Verse 40 specifically highlights a fundamental request: that the people's experience in the Promised Land would be characterized by a continual, worshipful fear of the Lord, ensuring their faithfulness and prosperity.

Key Themes

  • The Fear of the Lord: The central theme is "that they may fear thee." In biblical terms, "fear" (Hebrew: yare') does not primarily mean terror, but rather a profound reverence, awe, respect, and submission to God's authority. This kind of fear is consistently portrayed as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, leading to obedience and a right relationship with God.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Solomon's prayer acknowledges God's faithfulness in giving the land to their fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). The petition for the people to "fear thee all the days that they live in the land" is a plea for Israel to uphold their end of the covenant, living in obedience and gratitude for their divine inheritance.
  • Enduring Obedience: The phrase "all the days that they live" emphasizes a continuous, lifelong commitment to God, not just a momentary act of worship. It's a desire for an enduring spiritual posture that would define the nation's existence in the land.
  • Divine Inheritance: The "land which thou gavest unto our fathers" reiterates the foundational promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:7. This land was not earned but was a gracious gift, reinforcing the need for the people to live in a way that honored the Giver.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "fear" is yare' (יָר֡א). While it can denote terror or fright, in contexts referring to God, it almost universally signifies a deep, reverential awe that inspires worship, obedience, and moral conduct. It's a recognition of God's majesty, power, and holiness, which naturally leads to a desire to please Him and avoid displeasing Him. This nuance is crucial for understanding the desired relationship between God and His people.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 8:40 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of cultivating a reverential fear of God. While we may not live in the literal Promised Land of Israel, we have received an even greater spiritual inheritance through Christ (Ephesians 1:3). This verse encourages us to:

  • Maintain a Deep Awe of God: Recognize God's sovereignty, power, and holiness in all aspects of life.
  • Live in Continuous Obedience: Allow our reverence for God to translate into consistent faithfulness to His commands and His will, not just in moments of crisis or worship.
  • Cherish Our Spiritual Inheritance: Appreciate the spiritual blessings and promises we have in Christ, understanding them as gracious gifts that call for a life of devotion.

Solomon's prayer for Israel's enduring fear of the Lord is a model for our own prayers and aspirations, seeking a lifelong relationship of awe and obedience with our Creator.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 130:4

    But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

  • Revelation 19:5

    ΒΆ And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

  • Hosea 3:5

    Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

  • 1 Samuel 12:24

    Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great [things] he hath done for you.

  • Exodus 20:20

    And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

  • Psalms 115:13

    He will bless them that fear the LORD, [both] small and great.

  • Deuteronomy 6:2

    That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
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