1 Kings 9:5

Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

Then I will establish {H6965} the throne {H3678} of thy kingdom {H4467} upon Israel {H3478} for ever {H5769}, as I promised {H1696} to David {H1732} thy father {H1}, saying {H559}, There shall not fail {H3772} thee a man {H376} upon the throne {H3678} of Israel {H3478}.

then I will establish the throne of your rulership over Isra'el forever, just as I promised David your father when I said, 'You will never lack a man on the throne of Isra'el.'

then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised your father David when I said, β€˜You will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’

then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom over Israel for ever, according as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of God's second appearance to King Solomon, occurring after the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. God is responding to Solomon's prayer of dedication, reiterating His commitment to the covenant made with Solomon's father, David. While the preceding verses (1 Kings 9:1-4) outline the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience for Solomon's personal reign and the nation of Israel, verse 5 specifically reaffirms the unconditional promise regarding the perpetuity of the Davidic dynasty. It's a foundational statement about the eternal establishment of David's throne.

Key Themes

  • The Davidic Covenant: The core message is God's unwavering commitment to David's lineage. This is not contingent on Solomon's obedience, but a divine oath that a descendant of David would always occupy the throne of Israel. This promise is crucial for understanding the Messianic prophecies.
  • God's Faithfulness: The verse powerfully demonstrates God's reliability in keeping His word. He faithfully remembers and reiterates the promise made to David, even when speaking to David's son, Solomon.
  • Perpetuity of the Throne: The phrase "for ever" and "there shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel" emphasizes the unending nature of this dynastic promise. This promise found its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is called the Son of David and whose kingdom is eternal.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "establish" here is qum (קוּם), which carries the sense of making something stand firm, confirming, or raising up. This signifies a divine act of solidifying David's kingship. The phrase "for ever" (ΧœΦ°Χ’Χ•ΦΉΧœΦΈΧ - l'olam) denotes perpetuity or eternity, underscoring the enduring nature of God's promise concerning the Davidic line. This promise contrasts with the conditional aspects of the covenant related to Solomon's personal obedience, which could affect his reign but not the ultimate promise of a perpetual dynasty.

Cross-References & Significance

This promise is a direct echo of the covenant God made with David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, where God declares He would establish David's house and kingdom forever. The Psalms also affirm this, such as Psalm 89:3-4, which speaks of establishing David's seed forever and building up his throne to all generations. The ultimate significance lies in its fulfillment through Jesus Christ, who, as a descendant of David, now reigns on an eternal throne, as foretold in Luke 1:32-33. While King Solomon's personal reign and the immediate prosperity of Israel were conditional on obedience (as seen in 1 Kings 9:6-7), the promise of an everlasting dynasty remained firm.

Practical Application

1 Kings 9:5 reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when human performance falls short. It highlights the distinction between conditional blessings tied to obedience and unconditional divine covenants. For believers today, this verse strengthens faith in God's ultimate plan and His sovereign control over history. It points us to the enduring reign of Jesus Christ, the promised Son of David, whose kingdom is indeed eternal and whose throne will never fail. We can rest in the assurance that God's greater purposes will always be accomplished, despite the rise and fall of earthly powers.

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

  • 1 Kings 2:4

    That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 6:12

    [Concerning] this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

  • 2 Samuel 7:16

    And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

  • 2 Samuel 7:12

    And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

  • Psalms 89:28

    My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

  • Psalms 89:39

    Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:9

    Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
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