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New Revised Standard

1 Kings 2:4

Then the Lord will establish his word that he spoke concerning me: ‘If your heirs take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a successor on the throne of Israel.'

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Blessing;   Children;   David;   Death;   Evil for Good;   Heart;   Truth;   Watchfulness;   Will;   Thompson Chain Reference - Devout Fathers;   Fathers;   Home;   Religion;   Throne;   Walk;   The Topic Concordance - Obedience;   Prosperity;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Heart, the;   Heedfulness;   Truth;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Joab;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Samuel, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Preaching;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Solomon;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Adonijah;   Reuben;   Solomon;   1910 New Catholic Dictionary - canticle;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Solomon;   Talent;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Da'vid;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Fail;   Throne;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
and so that the Lord will fulfill his promise that he made to me: ‘If your sons guard their way to walk faithfully before me with all their heart and all their soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
Hebrew Names Version
That the LORD may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If your 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 you (said he) a man on the throne of Yisra'el.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'
New Century Version
And if you obey the Lord , he will keep the promise he made to me. He said: ‘If your descendants live as I tell them and have complete faith in me, a man from your family will always be king over the people of Israel.'
New English Translation
and the Lord will fulfill his promise to me, ‘If your descendants watch their step and live faithfully in my presence with all their heart and being, then,' he promised, ‘you will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.'
Amplified Bible
so that the LORD may fulfill His promise concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful regarding their way [of life], to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and mind and with all their soul, you shall not fail to have a man (descendant) on the throne of Israel.'
New American Standard Bible
so that the LORD may fulfill His promise which He spoke regarding me, saying, 'If your sons are careful about their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and all their soul, you shall not be deprived of a man to occupy the throne of Israel.'
Geneva Bible (1587)
That the Lorde may confirme his worde which hee spake vnto me, saying, If thy sonnes take heede to their way, that they walke before me in trueth, with all their hearts, and with all their soules, thou shalt not (sayd he) want one of thy posteritie vpon the throne of Israel.
Legacy Standard Bible
so that Yahweh may establish His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons keep their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, He said, you shall not have a man cut off from the throne of Israel.'
Contemporary English Version
You and your descendants must always faithfully obey the Lord . If you do, he will keep the solemn promise he made to me that someone from our family will always be king of Israel.
Complete Jewish Bible
If you do, Adonai will fulfill what he promised me when he said, ‘If your children pay attention to how they live, conducting themselves before me honestly with all their heart and being, you will never lack a man on the throne of Isra'el.'
Darby Translation
that Jehovah may confirm his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If thy sons 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 upon the throne of Israel.
Easy-to-Read Version
And if you obey the Lord , he will keep his promise about me. He said, ‘If your sons carefully live the way I tell them, sincerely, with all their heart, the king of Israel will always be a man from your family.'"
George Lamsa Translation
That the LORD may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If your children take heed to their ways, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a man on the throne of Israel.
Good News Translation
If you obey him, the Lord will keep the promise he made when he told me that my descendants would rule Israel as long as they were careful to obey his commands faithfully with all their heart and soul.
Lexham English Bible
so that Yahweh may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed of their way, to walk before me in faithfulness, with all their heart and with all their soul, no man of yours will be cut off from the throne of Israel.'"
Literal Translation
so that Jehovah may establish His Word which He spoke to me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth, with all their heart, and with all their soul, saying, There shall not be a man to you cut off from the throne of Israel.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
that the LORDE maye rayse vp his worde, which he hath spoke ouer me, and saide: Yf thy children kepe their waye and walke before me faithfully and truly and with all their hert and withall their soule, the shal there neuer fayle the a man vpon the seate of Israel.
American Standard Version
that Jehovah may establish 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.
Bible in Basic English
So that the Lord may give effect to what he said of me, If your children give attention to their ways, living uprightly before me with all their heart and their soul, you will never be without a man to be king in Israel.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
That the Lorde also may make good his worde which he spake vnto me, saying: If thy children take heede to their way, that they walke before me in trueth, with all their heartes, & with al their soules, thou shalt not (saith he) be without a man on the seate of Israel.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
that the LORD may establish His word which He spoke 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.
King James Version (1611)
That the Lord may continue his word which hee spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heede to their way, to walke before mee in trueth, with all their heart, and with all their soule, there shall not faile thee (sayd hee) a man on the throne of Israel.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
that the Lord may confirm his word which he spoke, saying, If thy children shall take heed to their way to walk before me in truth with all their heart, I promise thee, saying, there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel.
English Revised Version
That the LORD may establish 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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.'
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
That the Lord conferme hise wordis, whiche the Lord spak of me, and seide, If thi sones kepen my weies, and goen bifor me in treuthe, in al her herte, and in al her soule, a man schal not be takun awei of thee fro the trone of Israel.
Young's Literal Translation
so that Jehovah doth establish His word which He spake unto me, saying, If thy sons observe their way to walk before Me in truth, with all their heart, and with all their soul; saying, There is not cut off a man of thine from the throne of Israel.
Update Bible Version
That Yahweh may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you (he said) a man on the throne of Israel.
Webster's Bible Translation
That the LORD may continue his word which he spoke 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.
World English Bible
That Yahweh may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If your 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 you (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
New King James Version
that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, "If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,' He said, "you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'
New Living Translation
If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.'
New Life Bible
Then the Lord will keep His promise to me. He has said to me, ‘Your sons must be careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and soul. If they do, you will never be without a man on the throne of Israel.'
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
to the end that Yahweh may establish his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy sons will take heed to their way, by walking before me, in truth, with all their heart, and with all their soul, (then, said he) there shall not be cut off to thee a man, from off the throne of Israel.
Douay-Rheims Bible
That the Lord may confirm his words, which he hath spoken of me, saying: If thy children shall take heed to their ways, and shall walk before me in truth, with all their heart, and with all their soul, there shall not be taken away from thee a man on the throne of Israel.
Revised Standard Version
that the LORD may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a man on the throne of Israel.'
New American Standard Bible (1995)
so that the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'

Contextual Overview

1 When David's time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying: 2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, be courageous, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn. 4 Then the Lord will establish his word that he spoke concerning me: ‘If your heirs take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a successor on the throne of Israel.' 5 "Moreover you know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner son of Ner, and Amasa son of Jether, whom he murdered, retaliating in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist, and on the sandals on his feet. 6 Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7 Deal loyally, however, with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from your brother Absalom. 8 There is also with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a terrible curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim; but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord , ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.' 9 Therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; you will know what you ought to do to him, and you must bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol." 10 Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

That the Lord: Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 7:12, 1 Chronicles 28:9, John 15:9, John 15:10, Jude 1:20, Jude 1:21, Jude 1:24

his word: 2 Samuel 7:11-16, 2 Samuel 7:25, 1 Chronicles 17:11-15, 1 Chronicles 22:9-11, 1 Chronicles 28:5-7, Psalms 89:29-37, Psalms 132:11, Psalms 132:12

walk: 1 Kings 3:3, 1 Kings 3:14, 1 Kings 8:23, Genesis 17:1, Leviticus 26:3, 2 Kings 20:3, 2 Kings 23:3, 2 Kings 23:25, 2 Chronicles 17:3, Luke 1:6

with all their heart: Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 11:13, Matthew 22:37

fail: etc. Heb. be cut off from thee from the throne, 1 Kings 8:25, 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:13, 2 Samuel 7:16, Psalms 37:9, Psalms 37:22, Zechariah 14:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:22 - General Deuteronomy 26:17 - and to 1 Kings 3:6 - according 1 Kings 6:12 - if thou wilt 1 Kings 9:5 - I will establish 2 Kings 10:31 - took no heed 2 Chronicles 6:16 - saying 2 Chronicles 23:3 - as the Lord 2 Chronicles 31:21 - he did it Psalms 39:1 - I said Psalms 116:9 - walk Isaiah 38:3 - I have Jeremiah 29:13 - with Jeremiah 33:17 - David shall never want 1 Timothy 3:15 - know 3 John 1:4 - walk

Cross-References

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,
Genesis 1:4
And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
Genesis 1:31
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 2:1
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude.
Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.
Genesis 5:1
This is the list of the descendants of Adam. When God created humankind, he made them in the likeness of God.
Genesis 10:1
These are the descendants of Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth; children were born to them after the flood.
Genesis 11:10
These are the descendants of Shem. When Shem was one hundred years old, he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood;
Genesis 25:12
These are the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's slave-girl, bore to Abraham.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me,.... his word of promise concerning the kingdom of David, and the succession of it, and confirm and establish it:

saying, if thy children take heed to their way; they are directed to walk in, even the way of the Lord, and not turn to the right hand or the left:

to walk before me in truth: in the sincerity and integrity of their hearts, according to the word of truth, and under the influence of the spirit of truth:

with all their heart, and with all their soul; in the most cordial manner, with the strongest affection and zeal; with all eagerness and earnestness; with their whole hearts engaged in every duty performed by them: then the Lord said,

there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel; one to succeed him in the throne; this, with respect to his throne, literally considered, was conditional; but, spiritually considered, was absolute, and had its fulfilment in the Messiah, whose throne is for ever; see Luke 1:32.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

That the Lord may continue his word - The original promise given to David indirectly, through Nathan 2 Samuel 7:11-17, and apparently unconditional, afterward was made conditional upon continued obedience. (See the margin reference “f.”) David reminds Solomon of this, in order to impress upon him a powerful motive to continue faithful and obedient.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Kings 2:4. That the Lord may continue his word — The prosperity which God has promised to grant to my family will depend on their faithfulness to the good they receive; if they live to God, they shall sit for ever on the throne of Israel. But alas! they did not; and God's justice cut off the entail made by his mercy.


 
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