1 Kings 11:42
New International Version
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.

New Living Translation
Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.

English Standard Version
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Berean Standard Bible
Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

King James Bible
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

New King James Version
And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

New American Standard Bible
So the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

NASB 1995
Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

NASB 1977
Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Amplified Bible
The time Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Christian Standard Bible
The length of Solomon’s reign in Jerusalem over all Israel totaled forty years.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The length of Solomon’s reign in Jerusalem over all Israel totaled 40 years.

American Standard Version
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Contemporary English Version
After he had ruled 40 years from Jerusalem,

English Revised Version
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The length of Solomon's reign in Jerusalem over all Israel was 40 years.

Good News Translation
He was king in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.

International Standard Version
Solomon reigned over all of Israel from Jerusalem for a total of 40 years.

Majority Standard Bible
Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

NET Bible
Solomon ruled over all Israel from Jerusalem for forty years.

New Heart English Bible
The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

World English Bible
The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the days that Solomon has reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel [are] forty years,

Young's Literal Translation
And the days that Solomon hath reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel are forty years,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the days which Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel were forty years.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the days that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel, were forty years.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the days that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem, over all of Israel, were forty years.

New American Bible
Solomon was king in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.

New Revised Standard Version
The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the days that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel were forty years.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the days during which Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel were forty years.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Death of Solomon
41As for the rest of the acts of Solomon—all that he did, as well as his wisdom—are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? 42Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 43And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.…

Cross References
1 Kings 2:11
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

1 Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 14:21
Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.

2 Chronicles 9:30
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.

2 Samuel 5:4-5
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. / In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

1 Chronicles 29:26-28
David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. / The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. / He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 1:1
Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.

1 Kings 3:3
And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

1 Kings 9:10
Now at the end of the twenty years during which Solomon built these two houses, the house of the LORD and the royal palace,

1 Kings 10:23-25
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Acts 7:47
But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.

2 Samuel 7:12-13
And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

1 Kings 5:4
But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.


Treasury of Scripture

And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

time [heb] days.

1 Kings 2:11
And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

Jump to Previous
Forty Israel Jerusalem Reigned Solomon Time
Jump to Next
Forty Israel Jerusalem Reigned Solomon Time
1 Kings 11
1. Solomon's wives and concubines
4. In his old age they draw him to idolatry
9. God threatens him,
14. Solomon's adversaries were Hadad, who was entertained in Egypt
23. Rezon, who reigned in Damascus
26. And Jeroboam, to whom Ahijah prophesied
41. Solomon's acts, reign, and death. Rehoboam succeeds him














Thus, the time
The phrase "Thus, the time" serves as a summation of Solomon's reign, indicating a conclusion to a significant era in Israel's history. The Hebrew word for "time" here is "yāmîm," which can mean "days" or "years," emphasizing the measured and finite nature of Solomon's rule. This phrase invites reflection on the passage of time and the importance of stewardship over the years God grants to leaders.

that Solomon reigned
"Solomon" is derived from the Hebrew "Shlomo," meaning "peaceful." His reign is often seen as a golden age of peace and prosperity for Israel. The word "reigned" comes from the Hebrew "mālak," which implies not just ruling but also the responsibility and authority bestowed by God. Solomon's reign is marked by wisdom, wealth, and the building of the Temple, yet it also serves as a cautionary tale of how even the wisest can fall into idolatry and disobedience.

in Jerusalem
"Jerusalem," from the Hebrew "Yerushalayim," meaning "foundation of peace," is the political and spiritual center of Israel. It is the city chosen by God for His Temple, symbolizing His presence among His people. Solomon's reign in Jerusalem underscores the city's significance as the heart of Israelite worship and governance, a place where God's covenant with David is fulfilled.

over all Israel
The phrase "over all Israel" highlights the unity of the twelve tribes under Solomon's rule. This unity is a fulfillment of God's promise to David, Solomon's father, and represents a high point in Israel's history. However, it also foreshadows the division that will occur after Solomon's death, reminding readers of the fragility of human leadership and the need for reliance on God's guidance.

was forty years
The number "forty" in the Bible often signifies a period of testing, trial, or judgment. It is a time of completeness and fulfillment. Solomon's forty-year reign is a period of both blessing and warning, as his initial faithfulness gives way to idolatry and political alliances that lead Israel away from God. This serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance in faith and obedience throughout one's life.

(42) Forty years.--The reign of Solomon was thus of the same length as that of his father. (See 1Kings 2:11.) The coincidence is curious; but the accurate historical character of the whole narrative forbids the idea that the numbers given are merely round numbers, signifying long duration. Josephus gives eighty years--either by error in his Hebrew text, or perhaps by confusing together the duration of the two reigns.

NOTE.--The insertion in the LXX. version, found in the Vatican MS. after 1Kings 12:24, runs as follows :--

"And there was a man of Mount Ephraim, a servant of Solomon, and his name was Jeroboam; and his mother's name was Sarira, a woman who was a harlot. And Solomon made him taskmaster [literally, "master of the staff," or "scourge"] over the burdens [forced labours] of the house of Joseph; and he built for Solomon Sarira, which is in Mount Ephraim; and he had three hundred chariots. He it was who built the citadel [the "Millo"], by the labours of the house of Ephraim, and completed the fortification of the city of David. And he was exalting himself to seek the kingdom. And Solomon sought to put him to death; so he feared, and stole away to Sousakim [Shishak], king of Egypt, and was with him till the death of Solomon. And Jeroboam heard in Egypt that Solomon was dead, and he spake in the ears of Sousakim, king of Egypt, saying, Send me away, and I will go back to my own land. And Sousakim said to him, Ask of me a request, and I will give it thee. And he gave to Jeroboam Ano, the elder sister of his own wife Thekemina [Tahpenes] to be his wife. She was great among the daughters of the king, and bare to Jeroboam Abias [Abijah] his son. And Jeroboam said to Sousakim, Send me really away, and I will go back. And Jeroboam went forth from Egypt, and came to the land of Sarira, in Mount Ephraim, and there gathered together to him the whole strength of Ephraim. And Jeroboam built there a fortress."

Then follows, with variations of detail, the story of the sickness of Abijah, the visit of Jeroboam's wife to Ahijah, and the message of judgment; corresponding to 1Kings 14:1-18. The narrative then continues thus:--

" And Jeroboam went his way to Shechem, in Mount Ephraim, and gathered together there the tribes of Israel; and Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, went up there. And the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, the Enlamite, saying. Take to thyself a new garment, which has never been in water, and tear it in ten pieces; and thou shalt give them to Jeroboam, and shalt say to him, Take thee ten pieces, to clothe thyself therewith. And Jeroboam took them; and Shemaiah said, These things saith the Lord, signifying the ten tribes of Israel."

The whole concludes with an account, given with some characteristic variations, of the remonstrance with Rehoboam, the rebellion, and the prohibition by Shemaiah of the intended attack of Rehoboam, corresponding to 1Kings 12:1-24. . . .

Verse 42. - And the time [Heb. days] that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. [Josephus, here as elsewhere, doubles the figure, making his reign to have lasted eighty years. It is somewhat remarkable, but affords no just ground for suspicion, that each of the first three kings of Israel should have reigned just forty years. "Such numerical coincidences occur in exact history. Saosduchinus, Chiniladanus, and Nabopolassar, three consecutive kings of Babylon, reigned each twenty-one years" (Rawlinson).]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Thus, the time
וְהַיָּמִ֗ים (wə·hay·yā·mîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

that Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

reigned
מָלַ֨ךְ (mā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

in Jerusalem
בִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (ḇî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

[was] forty
אַרְבָּעִ֖ים (’ar·bā·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 705: Forty

years.
שָׁנָֽה׃ (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year


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