1 Kings 3:14

14 And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I'll also give you a long life."

1 Kings 3:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 3:14

And if thou wilt walk in my ways
Prescribed and directed to in his word, to keep my statutes and my commandments;
ceremonial, moral, and judicial: as thy father David did walk;
which Solomon himself had observed, ( 1 Kings 3:6 ) ; and whose walk was worthy of his imitation: then I will lengthen thy days;
the other promises of riches and honour are absolute, but this of long life conditional, depending upon his holy walk and conversation; and hence, because he failed in this the Jews observe he did not attain to long life, dying, as they suppose, at fifty two years of age; which is grounded on a wrong hypothesis, that he was but twelve years of age when he he began to reign, and he reigned forty years, as before observed.

1 Kings 3:14 In-Context

12 I'll give you what you've asked for - I'm giving you a wise and mature heart. There's never been one like you before; and there'll be no one after.
13 As a bonus, I'm giving you both the wealth and glory you didn't ask for - there's not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark.
14 And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I'll also give you a long life."
15 Solomon woke up - what a dream! He returned to Jerusalem, took his place before the Chest of the Covenant of God, and worshiped by sacrificing Whole-Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings. Then he laid out a banquet for everyone in his service.
16 The very next thing, two prostitutes showed up before the king.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.