1 Kings 1:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Bathsheba reminds David of his oath, sworn by the LORD, that Solomon would succeed him on the throne.
What Does 1 Kings 1:17 Mean?
Bathsheba speaks as Nathan directed. She recalls David's oath, sworn by the LORD his God, that Solomon would reign and sit upon the throne. By naming the LORD as witness to the promise, she anchors her appeal in something far stronger than David's preference, the covenant name of God Himself.
To swear by the LORD is to call the living God to witness and to stake one's integrity upon His name. Bathsheba's plea reminds us that God takes such oaths seriously and remembers them when men forget. The faithfulness of God to His own sworn word is the bedrock on which His people rest every hope.
1 Kings 1:17 in the Original Language
YHWH (יְהוָה), 'the LORD' -- the covenant name of God, here invoked as the witness to David's oath.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 1:17
What does 1 Kings 1:17 mean?
Bathsheba reminds David of his oath, sworn by the LORD, that Solomon would succeed him on the throne.