Bible Strands
1 Kings 6:12
“As for this temple you are building, if you walk in My statutes, carry out My ordinances, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Solomon during the active construction of the Jerusalem temple. This declaration follows the initial divine word to Solomon and precedes the assurance that God will dwell among the Israelites.
The words — The conditional phrase אִם תֵּלֵךְ (im te.lekh) translates literally as "if you walk," framing the entire promise. It is directly linked to בְּ/חֻקֹּתַ/י (be./chu.ko.Ta/i), meaning "in My statutes," which specifies the exact boundaries of required obedience.
The thread — The conditional fulfillment of the temple promise recalls the Davidic covenant outlined in 2 Samuel 7:12 and 1 Chronicles 22:10. The same conditional structure regarding steadfastness appears in Colossians 1:23.
Why it lands — The text requires consistent obedience to God's statutes and commandments as the explicit condition for receiving His promises. It demands that readers measure their conduct against divine instructions rather than assuming favor based on position or activity 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
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:
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 22:10 He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
- Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
- 2 Samuel 7:12 And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.
- 1 Kings 3:14 So if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days.”
- 1 Kings 9:3 And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.
- Psalms 132:12 If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.”
- 1 Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well.
- 1 Kings 2:3 And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,
- 1 Kings 8:25 Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk before Me as you have done.’
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.