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1 Kings 15:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 15:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Nevertheless for David`s sake did Jehovah his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Nevertheless for David`s sake did Jehovah his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem;
1 Kings 15:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat began Abijam to reign over Judah.
2Three years reigned he in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.
3And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as the heart of David his father.
4Nevertheless for David`s sake did Jehovah his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem;
5because David did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, and turned not aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
6Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.
7And the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nevertheless, for David’s sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, etc.] A kingdom there, as the Targum, splendid and glorious, to be continued in his posterity: to set up his son after him; in it: and to establish Jerusalem: to continue that in which the temple was, for the sake of which, and the worship of God in it, there was a succession of David’s posterity on the throne of Judah.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“for David's sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp--"A lamp" in one's house is an Oriental phrase for continuance of family name and prosperity. Abijam was not rejected only in consequence of the divine promise to David (see on 1Ki. 11:13-36).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To set up his son - The idolatry of Abijam deserved the same punishment as that of Jeroboam 1 Kings 14:10-14, of Baasha 1 Kings 16:2-4, or of Zimri 1 Kings 16:19, the cutting off of his seed, and the transfer of the crown to another family. That these consequences did not follow in the kingdom of Judah, was owing to the “faithfulness” of David (see the marginal reference), which brought a blessing on his posterity. Few things are more remarkable and more difficult to account for on mere grounds of human reason, than the stability of the succession in Judah, and its excessive instability in the sister kingdom. One family in Judah holds the throne from first to last, during a space but little…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A lamp - A son and successor to perpetuate his name and memory, which otherwise had gone into obscurity. Jerusalem - That he might maintain that city, and temple, and worship, as a witness for God, in the world, against the Israelites and heathen world. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 15:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“for David's: Kg1 11:12, Kg1 11:32; Gen 12:2, Gen 19:29, Gen 26:5; Deu 4:37; Sa2 7:12-16; Isa 37:35; Jer 33:20-26; Rom 11:28 give him: Kg1 11:36; Ch2 21:7; Psa 132:17; Luk 1:69-79, Luk 2:32; Joh 8:12; Rev 22:16 lamp: or, candle, Psa 18:28 and to establish: Psa 87:5; Isa 9:7, Isa 14:32, Isa 62:7; Jer 33:2; Mic 4:1, Mic 4:2; Mat 16:18 3 Kings (1 Kings) 15:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification