Bible Strands
1 Kings 3:6
Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon speaks to God immediately after the divine dream at Gibeon where God invited him to request a gift. He addresses the Lord directly as the one who has just fulfilled the promise to provide a throne successor.
The words — The Hebrew עָשִׂיתָ ('a.Si.ta) translates literally as "you have done," marking a completed divine action. This verb grounds Solomon’s opening statement in God’s past fulfillment toward David before any forward petition.
The thread — Solomon’s characterization of David’s faithful walk mirrors the covenant criteria in 1 Kings 2:4 and 1 Kings 9:4, while his mention of the throne successor recalls the fulfillment recorded in 1 Kings 1:48.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to observe that royal succession and divine favor follow established covenant faithfulness rather than personal status. It demands acknowledgment of God’s prior actions before any request for guidance is presented.
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 Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 9:4 And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances,
- 1 Kings 1:48 saying, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! Today He has provided one to sit on my throne, and my eyes have seen it.’”
- 1 Kings 2:4 and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
- 2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
- 2 Samuel 7:8 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.
- Numbers 12:7 But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house.
- 2 Samuel 7:5 “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in?
- 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
- 2 Kings 20:3 “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.