Bible Strands
1 Kings 1:37
Just as the LORD was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than that of my lord King David.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Benaiah son of Jehoiada speaks to King David immediately after affirming the coronation decree. He delivers this blessing at the moment David formally confirms Solomon as his successor.
The words — The Hebrew כֵּן (ken, “so”) and יִֽהְיֶ֣ה (ye.hi, “he will be”) form a conditional parallel with הָיָ֤ה (ha.Yah, “he has been”). This syntax ties Yahweh’s past presence with David to a direct wish for Solomon’s future reign.
The thread — The structural formula “as I was with X, so will I be with Y” mirrors Joshua 1:5, while the throne-blessing language aligns with 1 Kings 1:47. The conditional loyalty oath pattern also echoes the covenant framework in 1 Samuel 20:13.
Why it lands — The verse records a political blessing that transfers divine presence from David to Solomon. It requires the reader to acknowledge that royal authority rests on Yahweh’s ongoing commitment rather than on human succession alone.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
As the Lord hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 20:13 But if my father intends to bring evil on you, then may the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if I do not tell you and send you on your way in safety. May the LORD be with you, just as He has been with my father.
- 1 Kings 1:47 The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed,
- Joshua 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Joshua 1:17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.
- Exodus 3:12 “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
- 2 Samuel 24:3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”
- 1 Kings 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.
- 2 Kings 2:9 After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
- 2 Chronicles 1:1 Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.