What Does 1 Kings 5:3 Mean in the King James?
Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The house for the LORD’s name becomes possible only after the wars surrounding David are brought beneath his feet.
THE MEANING
You can know what is meant to be built and still be unable to build while conflict surrounds you. Here the LORD brings the wars beneath David’s feet, and the house for the LORD’s name becomes possible; the house is oriented toward the nature carried by that name. The delay names the force around the builder, not a defect in the builder.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Being unable to build right now proves I lack the capacity.
THE ROOT
לִבְנוֹת
livnot
GROWS FROM
בנה
Build, construct, establish.
“build” in this verse is livnot. English separates the act of building from the speaker’s mention of his father; Hebrew places the verb beside the related word בֵּן (ben, son) and the derivative בִּנְיָן (binyan, building). Solomon speaks as a son while describing a house under construction, letting household continuity and physical building sound together.
ALSO GROWS
ben: son
בֵּן
This related word makes the father-and-son language of the verse resonate with its building verb.
binyan: building, structure
בִּנְיָן
This derivative names the built form, holding the act and its result within the same word family.
THE PATTERN
A dwelling for the LORD’s name depends on the LORD’s ordering and sustaining of the work.
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:THE THREAD
And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.David intends to build a house for the LORD, while the LORD says he will make a house for David. The word opens beyond a structure to a continuing household, and the promise follows rest from enemies.
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