1 Kings 2:4

4 so that ¹the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, '²If your sons are careful of their way, ³to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, ⁴you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'

1 Kings 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 2:4

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 Luke 1:33 ) .

1 Kings 2:4 In-Context

2 "I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man.

3 "Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn,

4 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.'

5 "Now you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed; he also shed the blood of war in peace. And he put the blood of war on his belt about his waist, and on his sandals on his feet.

6 "So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 7:25
• 2. Psalms 132:12
• 3. 2 Kings 20:3
• 4. 2 Samuel 7:12, 13; 1 Kings 8:25; 1 Kings 9:5

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "faithfulness"
• [b]. Lit "there shall not be cast off to you a man from before Me"