And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

1 KINGS 1:47KJV
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1 Kings 1:47 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 1:47 mean?

1 Kings 1:47 describes how King David’s servants came to bless him, expressing a wish that God would make Solomon’s reputation and reign even greater than David’s own. In response, David, though old and bedridden, bowed in humble agreement from his bed.

This moment happens as David is nearing the end of his life and Solomon has just been declared king. The servants’ blessing shows their support for Solomon’s rule and their hope for his success. David’s act of bowing from his bed signals his acceptance and approval of Solomon as his successor, marking a peaceful transfer of royal authority.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 1:47

  • "Bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to speak a good word or to wish well, often invoking God’s favor. Here, the servants are not just congratulating David, but asking God to actively bless Solomon’s future.
  • "Name" (שֵׁם, shem): In Hebrew thought, a person’s "name" stands for their reputation and legacy. The servants’ wish is that Solomon’s reputation ("name") would surpass even David’s.
  • "Bowed" (שָׁחָה, shachah): This word means to bow down or show deep respect. David’s bowing, even while on his bed, is a gesture of humility and recognition of God’s will in the succession.

Why 1 Kings 1:47 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David willingly accepted Solomon as king, which was important for preventing disputes over the throne.
  • The blessing for Solomon to have a greater name and throne than David highlights the hope for an even more prosperous future for Israel.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of God’s promises to David’s family, showing how those around David supported the transition and prayed for God’s continued favor.

Where else these words appear

“bed” Hebrew H4904 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
  • Judges 21:11 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
  • Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

“better” Hebrew H3190 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Deuteronomy 30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
  • Psalms 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

“make” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.

“throne” Hebrew H3678 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
  • 2 Kings 4:10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
  • Psalms 122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.