Bible Strands
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,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports that David’s officials have come to bless King David, who is recording their words and his own response to Solomon’s enthronement.
The words — לְבָרֵךְ (le.va.rekh) means “to bless,” and בָּאוּ (ba.'u) means “they have come,” framing the officials’ arrival as an act of formal commendation.
The thread — The officials’ blessing for Solomon’s greater name and throne echoes the declaration in 1 Kings 1:37, while David’s posture of bowing on his bed recalls Jacob’s worship in Genesis 47:31.
Why it lands — The text records a political transition framed as divine blessing, requiring the reader to observe how royal succession is legitimized through spoken prayer and physical submission rather than military force.
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
And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.
Cross-references
- Genesis 47:31 “Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.
- 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.”
- Exodus 12:32 Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.”
- 2 Samuel 8:10 he sent his son Joram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze,
- 2 Samuel 21:3 So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”
- Ezra 6:10 Then they will be able to offer sacrifices of a sweet aroma to the God of heaven and to pray for the lives of the king and his sons.
- Psalms 20:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
- Luke 19:38 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.