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1 Kings 5:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 5:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou knowest how that David my father could not build a house for the name of Jehovah his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until Jehovah put them under the soles of his feet.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou knowest how that David my father could not build a house for the name of Jehovah his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until Jehovah put them under the soles of his feet.
1 Kings 5:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
2And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
3Thou knowest how that David my father could not build a house for the name of Jehovah his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until Jehovah put them under the soles of his feet.
4But now Jehovah my God hath given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary, nor evil occurrence.
5And, behold, I purpose to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, as Jehovah spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build the house for my name.
6Now therefore command thou that they cut me cedar-trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants; and I will give thee hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt say: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that knoweth how to cut timber like unto the Sidonians.
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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
“Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the Lord his God, etc.] As he designed, and was desirous of; and which Hiram might know not only by common fame, but from David himself, between whom there was an intercourse, and that in relation to cedars for building, which David had of Hiram, (<140203>2 Chronicles 2:3); for the wars which were about him on every side; or warriors, as the Targum, the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Syrians: until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet; made them subject and tributary to him, as he did at length, (see <100701>2 Samuel 7:1 8:1), etc. so the “Cetib”, or textual reading, is; but the “Keri”, or marginal…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Solomon’s presumption that Hiram knew David’s design has not appeared in the previous history, but it is in accordance with 1 Chronicles 22:4. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:3 gave him victory over all his enemies (literally put them under the soles of his feet): Ancient Near Eastern inscriptions and paintings often depict victorious kings with their feet upon the necks of vanquished foes or with enemies subdued at their feet.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“could not: Sa2 7:5-11; Ch1 22:4-6; Ch2 6:6-8 the wars: Ch1 22:8, Ch1 28:3 put: Jos 10:24; Psa 8:6, Psa 110:1; Mal 4:3; Co1 15:25; Eph 1:22 3 Kings (1 Kings) 5:4”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification