Definition: And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as [it is] this day.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really beautiful and significant passage about God’s love and blessing for David. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse celebrates how much God loved and trusted in David. It’s saying that God really appreciated David’s faithfulness and his dedication to being righteous and doing what was right. Let’s unpack it word by word: “And Solomon said…” : This sets the scene – we're talking about King Solomon, who was a wise leader in Israel. “…Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee;” : This is the core of the verse. "Shewed unto" means God revealed something to him. Solomon is saying: “You’ve shown me a great kindness – you've been very good and faithful to me.” It highlights that David was living a life that was pleasing to God. Let's break down the key parts: “according as he walked before thee in truth” : This means David followed God's rules and principles, stayed true to his word, and lived a righteous life. He wasn’t straying from the path of goodness. “and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee” : This emphasizes that David was doing what was right, even when it was difficult or unpopular. He wasn't just following rules; he was living a moral life. “with thee” : This is crucial - God is blessing David for these qualities! He’s giving him a special blessing – the opportunity to become king. “…and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as [it is] this day.” : This is where it gets really powerful. God has chosen David to be king! He’s gifted him with a special position and responsibility. "As [it is] this day" – This is a poetic way of saying that this blessing (David being king) is continuing, lasting, and fulfilling God's plan for him. In simpler terms: God loved David so much that He gave him the opportunity to be king and continue to live a life that reflects His goodness. It’s a testament to God’s favor and blessing on David and his lineage. Overall Meaning: This verse is about God's unwavering love and acceptance of those who are faithful, righteous, and kind. It shows that God values good character and gives blessings to those who demonstrate it. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this passage to other stories or themes in the Bible? Discuss what this verse might teach us about faith, obedience, or responsibility?