TRV
Translation
King James Version
And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
KJV (with Strong's)
And let these my words H1697, wherewith I have made supplication H2603 before H6440 the LORD H3068, be nigh H7138 unto the LORD H3068 our God H430 day H3119 and night H3915, that he maintain H6213 the cause H4941 of his servant H5650, and the cause H4941 of his people H5971 Israel H3478 at all times H3117 H3117, as the matter H1697 shall require:
Complete Jewish Bible
May these words of mine, which I have used in my plea before ADONAI, be present with ADONAI our God day and night, so that he will uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Isra'el day by day.
Berean Standard Bible
And may these words with which I have made my petition before the LORD be near to the LORD our God day and night, so that He may uphold the cause of His servant and of His people Israel as each day requires,
American Standard Version
And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before Jehovah, be nigh unto Jehovah our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as every day shall require;
World English Bible Messianic
Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as every day shall require;
Geneva Bible (1599)
And these my wordes, which I haue prayed before the Lord, be neere vnto the Lord our God day and night, that he defende the cause of his seruant, and the cause of his people Israel alway as the matter requireth,
Young's Literal Translation
and these my words with which I have made supplication before Jehovah, are near unto Jehovah our God by day and by night, to maintain the cause of His servant, and the cause of His people Israel, the matter of a day in its day;
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In the KJVVerse 9,045 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Kings 8 verses 54–61
54 ¶ And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Solomon, after his sermon in Ecclesiastes, gives us the conclusion of the whole matter; so he does here, after this long prayer; it is called his blessing the people, Kg1 8:55. He pronounced it standing, that he might be the better heard, and because he blessed as one having authority. Never were words more fitly spoken, nor more pertinently. Never was congregation dismissed with that which was more likely to affect them and abide with them.
I. He gives God the glory of the great and kind things he had done for Israel, Kg1 8:56. He stood up to bless the congregation (Kg1 8:55), but began with blessing God; for we must in every thing give thanks. Do we expect God should do well for us and ours? let us take all occasion to speak well of him and his. He blesses God who has given, he does not say wealth, and honour, and power, and victory, to Israel, but rest, as if that were a blessing more valuable than any of those. Let not those who have rest under-value that blessing, though they want some others. He compares the blessings God had bestowed upon them with the promises he had given them, that God might have the honour of his faithfulness and the truth of that word of his which he has magnified above all his name. 1. He refers to the promises given by the hand of Moses, as he did (Kg1 8:15, Kg1 8:24) to those which were made to David. There were promises given by Moses, as well as precepts. It was long ere God gave Israel the promised rest, but they had it at last, after many trials. The day will come when God's spiritual Israel will rest from all their labours. 2. He does, as it were, write a receipt in full on the back of these bonds: There has not failed one word of all his good promises. This discharge he gives in the name of all Israel, to the everlasting honour of the divine faithfulness, and the everlasting encouragement of all those that build upon the divine promises.
II. He blesses himself and the congregation, expressing his earnest desire and hope of these four things: - 1. The presence of God with them, which is all in all to the happiness of a church and nation and of every particular person. This great congregation was now shortly to be scattered, and it was not likely that they would ever be all together again in this world. Solomon therefore dismisses them with this blessing: "The Lord be present with us, and that will be comfort enough when we are absent from each other. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers (Kg1 8:57); let him not leave us, let him be to us to day, and to ours for ever, what he was to those that went before us." 2. The power of his grace upon them: "Let him be with us, and continue with us, not that he may enlarge our coasts and increase our wealth, but that he may incline our hearts to himself, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments," Kg1 8:58. Spiritual blessings are the best blessings, with which we should covet earnestly to be blessed. Our hearts are naturally averse to our duty, and apt to decline from God; it is his grace that inclines them, grace that must be obtained by prayer. 3. An answer to the prayer he had now made: "Let these my words be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, Kg1 8:59. Let a gracious return be made to every prayer that shall be made here, and that will be a continual answer to this prayer." What Solomon asks here for his prayer is still granted in the intercession of Christ, of which his supplication was a type; that powerful prevailing intercession is before the Lord our God day and night, for our great Advocate attends continually to this very thing, and we may depend upon him to maintain our cause (against the adversary that accuses us day and night, Rev 12:10) and the common cause of his people Israel, at all times, upon all occasions, as the matter shall require, so as to speak for us the word of the day in its day, as the original here reads it, from which we shall receive grace sufficient, suitable, and seasonable, in every time of need. 4. The glorifying of God in the enlargement of his kingdom among men. Let Israel be thus blessed, thus favoured; not that all people may become tributaries to us (Solomon sees his kingdom as great as he desires), but that all people may know that the Lord is God, and he only, and may come and worship him, Kg1 8:60. With this Solomon's prayers, like the prayers of his father David, the son of Jesse, are ended (Psa 72:19, Psa 72:20): Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. We cannot close our prayers with a better summary than this, Father, glorify thy name.
III. He solemnly charges his people to continue and persevere in their duty to God. Having spoken to God for them, he here speaks from God to them, and those only would fare the better for his prayers that were made better by his preaching. His admonition, at parting, is, "Let your heart be perfect with the Lord our God, Kg1 8:61. Let your obedience be universal, without dividing - upright, without dissembling - constant, without declining;" this is evangelical perfection.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 54–61. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 8:59 concludes King Solomon's monumental prayer of dedication for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates his fervent desire that his extensive supplications would remain perpetually before the LORD, ensuring God's continuous and active attention to the needs of both the king and the entire nation of Israel. It is a powerful plea for God to consistently uphold, defend, and vindicate His people, providing timely intervention and maintaining their well-being at all times.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and convey Solomon's fervent plea. Repetition is evident in the phrases "day and night" and "at all times," which powerfully emphasize the desired continuity and persistence of God's attention and intervention. This reinforces the idea of an ever-present, vigilant God who is constantly aware of and responsive to His people's needs. Metonymy is used when "these my words" stands in for the entire content and intent of Solomon's comprehensive prayer, making the abstract concept of prayer more tangible and enduring before the divine. The entire verse functions as a Petition or Supplication, a direct and earnest appeal to God, highlighting the nature of prayer as a humble yet confident request for divine action and advocacy. Furthermore, there is a subtle Personification in the idea of "words" being "nigh unto the LORD," suggesting that the prayers themselves have a lingering, active presence before the divine throne, continually presenting the needs of the king and the people.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 8:59 profoundly connects to the biblical theme of God's covenant faithfulness and His responsiveness to the prayers of His people. Solomon's plea rests on the foundational understanding that God is not only sovereign but also intimately involved in the affairs of His creation, especially His chosen nation. It echoes the promises of God to hear from heaven when His people turn to Him, confessing His name and praying toward the Temple (1 Kings 8:30), reinforcing the truth that God is the ultimate defender and sustainer of His covenant people. This verse also anticipates the broader prophetic message that God will indeed vindicate His people and maintain their cause, even through periods of judgment and exile, ultimately demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan and His character as a just and merciful God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's concluding plea in 1 Kings 8:59 offers profound insights for contemporary believers regarding the nature and scope of prayer. It challenges us to move beyond merely personal petitions to embrace a broader, more comprehensive intercession for our communities, leaders, and nations. Solomon's desire for his words to be "nigh unto the LORD day and night" underscores the importance of persistence and consistency in prayer, reminding us that God is always attentive to the sincere cries of His people. We are called to trust in God's continuous providence and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity, knowing that He hears and responds to our supplications, always acting "as the matter shall require." This verse fosters a deep confidence that our God is not distant but is actively maintaining the cause of His servants and His people, providing His help and guidance precisely when needed. It encourages us to lay bare our needs and the needs of those we represent before Him, trusting in His unfailing faithfulness and His perfect timing.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Solomon emphasize "day and night" and "at all times" in his prayer?
Answer: Solomon's emphasis on "day and night" and "at all times" highlights the continuous nature of Israel's needs and the perpetual necessity of God's watchful care and intervention. It's a plea for ongoing divine providence, not just a one-time act. Solomon understood that challenges, temptations, and needs would arise constantly for both the king and the nation. Therefore, he sought God's unceasing attention and readiness to act, reflecting a deep understanding of human frailty and constant dependence on God. This echoes the biblical theme of God's unceasing watch over His people, as seen in passages like Psalm 121:3-4.
What does it mean for God to "maintain the cause" of His servant and His people?
Answer: To "maintain the cause" (from the Hebrew word mishpâṭ, meaning "justice" or "judgment," and ʻâsâh, meaning "to do" or "to make") signifies God's active role as an advocate, defender, and vindicator. It means God would actively intervene to uphold the rights, ensure the well-being, and secure justice for His servant (Solomon) and His people (Israel). This includes protecting them from enemies, guiding them in righteousness, and restoring them when they falter. It's a prayer for divine governance and intervention to ensure Israel's flourishing according to God's covenant promises and to demonstrate His faithfulness to His chosen nation, as promised in passages like Deuteronomy 32:36.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Solomon's profound prayer for continuous divine advocacy and the maintenance of Israel's cause finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Solomon, as king, acted as an intercessor for his people, his role was always temporary and imperfect. Jesus, however, is the eternal King and the ultimate High Priest, who truly intercedes for His people "day and night." The author of Hebrews declares that Jesus "always lives to intercede" for those who draw near to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25). Moreover, the Apostle Paul affirms that Christ Jesus, who died and was raised, "is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us" (Romans 8:34). He is the true advocate who stands before God on behalf of His servants, not just the nation of Israel, but all who are united to Him by faith (1 John 2:1). The Temple, where Solomon made his supplication, was a shadow pointing to Christ Himself as the true dwelling place of God and the ultimate locus of divine-human encounter, for He spoke of His body as the temple (John 2:19-21). Through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection, Jesus has definitively "maintained the cause" of His people, securing their eternal salvation, justification, and standing before God, not merely "as the matter shall require" based on human need or merit, but based on His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, having canceled the record of debt that stood against us (Colossians 2:13-14). In Christ, believers have a permanent and perfect advocate whose intercession ensures that their cause is eternally upheld before the Father.