1 Kings 11:36

36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light^[a] alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

1 Kings 11:36 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 11:36

And unto his son will I give one tribe
Judah and Benjamin reckoned as one; (See Gill on 1 Kings 11:13), that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there; or a kingdom, as the Targum; or an illustrious prince, a successor, shining in royal majesty and glory, to guide and direct, cheer and comfort, the people of Israel; be an honour to David's family, and a means of continuing the pure worship of God in the temple at Jerusalem; see ( 2 Samuel 21:17 ) ( Psalms 132:17 ) .

1 Kings 11:36 In-Context

34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

Footnotes

• [a]. light: Heb. lamp, or, candle