And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
Parallel translations
- WEB I will afflict the offspring of David for this, but not forever.’”
- BSB Because of this, I will humble David’s descendants—but not forever.’”
- NKJV And I will afflict the descendants of David because of this, but not forever.’ ”
- NASB So I will oppress the descendants of David for this, but not always.’ ”
- NLT Because of Solomon’s sin I will punish the descendants of David—though not forever.’”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God will humble David's line for a time, but not forever. The judgment on David's house is limited and temporary.
Overview
Though David's descendants will be afflicted through the loss of the northern tribes, God assures that this discipline is not permanent. The phrase but not forever holds out hope of future restoration for David's house. This anticipates the enduring Davidic promise that culminates in the eternal reign of Jesus the Messiah.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Luke 1:32–33He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
- Luke 2:11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- Isa 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
- Isa 11:1–10And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
- Ps 89:30–34If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
- 1 Kgs 14:8And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;
- 1 Kgs 12:16So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
- Lam 3:31–32For the LORD will not cast off for ever:
- 1 Kgs 14:25–26And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:
- Ps 89:38–45But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
- Luke 2:4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- Ps 89:49–51Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
- Isa 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Jer 23:5–6Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
- 1 Kgs 11:36And 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.
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 11:39 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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