1 Kings 8:57

KJV

The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} our God {H430} be with us, as he was with our fathers {H1}: let him not leave {H5800} us, nor forsake {H5203} us:

Complete Jewish Bible

May ADONAI our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or abandon us.

Berean Standard Bible

May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He never leave us nor forsake us.

American Standard Version

Jehovah our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 8:57 encapsulates King Solomon's fervent plea during the dedication of the First Temple in Jerusalem, expressing a profound desire for God's enduring presence with Israel. Following the solemn placement of the Ark of the Covenant and the glorious filling of the Temple with the Lord's glory, Solomon's prayer articulates the nation's absolute dependence on God's active involvement. He implores God to remain with them just as He had been with their ancestors, and to never abandon or forsake His people. This verse underscores Israel's deep spiritual longing for divine companionship and protection, recognizing it as the foundational pillar of their national strength, security, and covenant identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within King Solomon's extensive dedicatory prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem, as recorded in [1 Kings 8](/1-kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Dedication of the Temple"). The prayer immediately follows the solemn procession of the Ark of the Covenant into the Most Holy Place and the awe-inspiring manifestation of God's glory, which filled the Temple, preventing the priests from ministering ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1-kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple")). Standing before the altar, Solomon addresses the entire congregation of Israel, offering a comprehensive prayer that spans from a review of God's faithfulness to David's lineage ([1 Kings 8:15-26](/1-kings/8-15-26 "1 Kings 8:15-26 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication")) to specific petitions for various future scenarios, including war, famine, and national repentance ([1 Kings 8:33-53](/1-kings/8-33-53 "1 Kings 8:33-53 - Specific Petitions in Solomon's Prayer")). Verse 57, therefore, serves as a heartfelt culmination of this extended supplication, encapsulating the core desire for God's continued, active, and unwavering presence with His people as the foundation of their national well-being.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the First Temple was a monumental event in ancient Israelite history, marking the culmination of David's vision and Solomon's ambitious building project. It solidified Jerusalem as the religious and political center of the united monarchy, providing a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and, symbolically, for God's presence among His people. Culturally, the Temple served as the central locus of Israelite worship and a tangible manifestation of the covenant relationship established at Sinai. Solomon's prayer reflects the deep-seated understanding that Israel's identity, security, and prosperity were entirely contingent upon their unique relationship with Yahweh. The appeal to God's past actions, "as he was with our fathers," invokes the rich heritage of divine faithfulness demonstrated through the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan, emphasizing a continuity of covenantal relationship stretching back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The request "let him not leave us, nor forsake us" was a plea for the maintenance of this unique, intimate, and protective divine-human bond in a world of volatile political alliances and pervasive pagan deities.
* **Key Themes:** Solomon's prayer, and specifically [1 Kings 8:57](/1-kings/8-57 "1 Kings 8:57 - Solomon's Plea for God's Enduring Presence"), powerfully articulates several key themes. Firstly, the **Desire for God's Enduring Presence** is paramount; the very existence of the Temple signifies Israel's longing for God to dwell among them, and Solomon's prayer is a fervent plea for this presence to be active and sustaining. Secondly, it highlights a **Plea for Covenant Faithfulness**, both on God's part and implicitly on Israel's. By asking God "let him not leave us, nor forsake us," Solomon appeals to God's steadfast love (Hebrew: *hesed*) and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even as he acknowledges Israel's potential for unfaithfulness, echoing God's promise to Joshua in [Joshua 1:5](/joshua/1-5 "Joshua 1:5 - God's Promise to Joshua"). Thirdly, the phrase "as he was with our fathers" emphasizes the **Continuity of God's Faithfulness Across Generations**. Solomon grounds his petition in the historical precedent of God's unwavering presence with patriarchs and leaders like Abraham, Moses, and David, reinforcing the idea that God's covenant promises are generational and enduring, providing a foundation of hope for the present and future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the personal, covenantal name of God, revealing Him as "the self-Existent or Eternal." In Solomon's prayer, addressing God as "the LORD our God" emphasizes the unique, intimate relationship between Yahweh and Israel, established through covenant. It underscores the expectation that the God who has revealed Himself in history will continue to act on behalf of His chosen people.
* **leave (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** From H5800, this primitive root means "to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely." In this context, Solomon pleads that God would not loosen His grip on His people, withdraw His support, or cease His active care. It conveys a fear of God's diminished involvement, which would leave Israel vulnerable and without divine guidance.
* **forsake (Hebrew, _nâṭash'_):** From H5203, this primitive root means "properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusively, reject, let alone, permit, remit, etc.); cast off, drawn, let fall, forsake, join (battle), leave (off), lie still, loose, spread (self) abroad, stretch out, suffer." Paired with "leave," it intensifies the plea, signifying a complete abandonment or desertion. The double negative ("not leave... nor forsake") creates a powerful emphasis on an absolute and unwavering commitment from God, highlighting Israel's utter reliance on His enduring faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD our God be with us":** This opening clause is a direct, fervent supplication for God's active and abiding presence. It acknowledges Yahweh as "our God," emphasizing the covenant relationship and personal ownership. The desire for God's presence is not merely for comfort but for divine power, guidance, and protection to navigate the challenges of national life and to ensure the fulfillment of His promises.
* **"as he was with our fathers":** This phrase grounds the present plea in the historical reality of God's past faithfulness. Solomon appeals to God's consistent character and His unwavering commitment to previous generations (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David). It's a powerful invocation of God's covenant history, seeking a continuation of the same divine favor and active involvement that defined Israel's past, thereby reinforcing the continuity of God's redemptive plan.
* **"let him not leave us":** This is the first part of a negative plea, asking God not to "loosen His grip" or withdraw His active support. It expresses a profound fear of God's diminished involvement, which would leave Israel vulnerable and without divine guidance. This reflects a deep understanding of their utter dependence on Him for their very existence and well-being as a nation.
* **"nor forsake us":** This second negative clause reinforces and intensifies the preceding one. "Forsake" implies complete abandonment or desertion, a severing of the divine-human bond. Together, "leave us, nor forsake us" forms a powerful and emphatic plea for God's perpetual, unwavering, and utterly reliable presence and commitment, highlighting the existential dread of being left to their own devices by the covenant God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices that amplify its meaning and emotional weight. **Parallelism** is prominently evident in the double negative construction "let him not leave us, nor forsake us," which emphatically reiterates the plea for God's enduring presence and commitment. This specific form of **negative parallelism** serves to intensify the request, creating a strong sense of urgency and profound dependence. The phrase "as he was with our fathers" functions as both an **analogy** and an **appeal to precedent**, drawing upon the rich history of God's faithfulness to past generations to bolster the current petition. This also highlights the **intergenerational continuity** of God's covenant promises and His character. The entire verse functions as a **supplication** or **earnest plea**, characterized by its direct address to God and its expression of deep spiritual longing and national reliance. The language is both formal, befitting a king's prayer at a national dedication, and deeply personal, reflecting the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 8:57 is a profound expression of Israel's foundational theology: their very existence, security, and prosperity depend entirely on God's active, abiding presence and His unwavering covenant faithfulness. This verse articulates a deep understanding of God as a personal, involved deity who does not abandon His people, echoing the promises made throughout the Pentateuch and prophets. It highlights the tension between God's sovereign choice to dwell among His people and the human responsibility to remain faithful, with the prayer serving as an act of humble reliance on God's character. The continuity with "our fathers" underscores the generational nature of God's covenant, emphasizing that His promises and presence are not fleeting but extend through history, providing a stable foundation for hope and trust.

* [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - God's Promise to Joshua and Israel")
* [Joshua 1:5](/joshua/1-5 "Joshua 1:5 - God's Promise to Joshua")
* [Psalm 94:14](/psalms/94-14 "Psalm 94:14 - The Lord Will Not Forsake His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:57 offers a timeless model for believers, reminding us of our profound need for God's active presence in our lives. Just as ancient Israel understood their national well-being to be contingent on Yahweh's dwelling among them, so too must Christians recognize that our spiritual vitality, strength, and purpose are entirely dependent on the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep longing for God's companionship, not as a passive wish, but as an earnest, persistent plea rooted in trust. It invites us to rest in God's unwavering faithfulness, knowing that He has promised never to leave or forsake those who belong to Him. This assurance empowers us to face life's uncertainties with confidence, drawing strength from the historical legacy of God's steadfast love across generations and applying it to our present circumstances. It calls us to live in conscious awareness of His presence, allowing it to shape our decisions, comfort our fears, and direct our paths, fostering a life of continual dependence and grateful worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's historical faithfulness to past generations (our "fathers") strengthen your faith and trust in His presence today?**
* **In what areas of your life are you most acutely aware of your need for God's active presence, and how does this verse encourage you to seek Him?**
* **What does it mean practically for God "not to leave us, nor forsake us" in your daily life, especially during times of difficulty or doubt?**
* **How can Solomon's plea for God's enduring presence inform your own prayers and spiritual disciplines?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Solomon asking God to be "with us, as he was with our fathers"?**

Answer: This phrase is profoundly significant as it grounds Solomon's present plea in the rich history of God's covenant faithfulness. By invoking "our fathers" (referring to patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and leaders like Moses and David), Solomon appeals to God's consistent character and His proven track record of presence, guidance, and deliverance. It's a theological argument that says, "You have been faithful in the past, please continue that faithfulness now and in the future." It emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant relationship across generations and highlights Israel's identity as a people chosen and sustained by God's constant presence, from their earliest beginnings through the establishment of the monarchy and the Temple. It’s a plea for the continuation of that unique, active, and protective divine-human bond, expressing a deep understanding that the nation's future security and success are entirely dependent on God's continued favor and involvement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 8:57, with its earnest plea for God's enduring presence and His promise not to leave or forsake His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Temple was a physical dwelling place for God's presence, it was a shadow and a type of the true dwelling. In Christ, God's presence is not merely among His people but *in* His people through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself is Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Jesus is Emmanuel")), perfectly embodying the divine presence Solomon longed for. His incarnation, life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection guarantee that God will never leave or forsake His new covenant people. The promise "I will never leave you nor forsake you" is reiterated directly to believers in [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise to Never Leave Us"), echoing the Old Testament promise but now secured by Christ's finished work on the cross. Through the New Covenant, sealed by His blood, believers are not merely visited by God but are indwelt by the Spirit of Christ ([John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), ensuring an unbreakable, eternal union. Thus, Solomon's prayer for an abiding divine presence is fully realized in the person and work of Christ, who forever unites God with humanity and establishes an eternal, unshakeable relationship with His redeemed people.

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

Joshua 1:5

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

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.

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.

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

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.

1 Samuel 12:22

For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.