1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.

◄ 1 Kings 15:4 ►

New International Version
Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong.

New Living Translation
But for David’s sake, the LORD his God allowed his descendants to continue ruling, shining like a lamp, and he gave Abijam a son to rule after him in Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem,

Berean Standard Bible
Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.

King James Bible
Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

New King James Version
Nevertheless for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem;

New American Standard Bible
But for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem,

NASB 1995
But for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;

NASB 1977
But for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;

Legacy Standard Bible
But for David’s sake Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;

Amplified Bible
Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp (descendant on the throne) in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him and establishing Jerusalem,

Christian Standard Bible
But for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up his son after him and by preserving Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But because of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
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;

English Revised Version
Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But for David's sake the LORD his God made Abijam a lamp in Jerusalem. He appointed David's descendant to rule after him and protected Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
But for David's sake the LORD his God gave Abijah a son to rule after him in Jerusalem and to keep Jerusalem secure.

International Standard Version
Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God maintained a lamp for David in Jerusalem by raising up his son after him so that Jerusalem would be established,

Majority Standard Bible
Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.

NET Bible
Nevertheless for David's sake the LORD his God maintained his dynasty in Jerusalem by giving him a son to succeed him and by protecting Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
Nevertheless for David's sake, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem;

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

World English Bible
Nevertheless for David’s sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
but for David’s sake his God YHWH has given to him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem,

Young's Literal Translation
but for David's sake hath Jehovah his God given to him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem,

Smith's Literal Translation
For on account of David, Jehovah his God gave to him a light in Jerusalem, to raise up a son after him, to cause Jerusalem to stand:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But for David's sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But for the sake of David, the Lord his God gave to him a lamp in Jerusalem, so that he might raise up his son after him, and so that he might establish Jerusalem.

New American Bible
Yet for David’s sake the LORD, his God, gave him a holding in Jerusalem, raising up his son after him and permitting Jerusalem to endure,

New Revised Standard Version
Nevertheless for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD God give him an heir in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him and to establish him in Jerusalem;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And because of David his father, LORD JEHOVAH God gave to him a lamp in Jerusalem, to confirm his son after him, and he would establish him in Jerusalem.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Howbeit for David's sake the Lord gave him a remnant, that he might establish his children after him, and might establish Jerusalem.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Abijam Reigns in Judah
…3And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed, and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his forefather had been. 4Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong. 5For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Samuel 7:12-16
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. / I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ...

1 Kings 11:36
I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.

2 Chronicles 21:7
Yet the LORD was unwilling to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant He had made with David, and since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

Psalm 132:11-12
The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne. / If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.”

2 Samuel 7:29
Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

1 Kings 11:13
Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

2 Samuel 7:8-9
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. / I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.

1 Kings 11:12
Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

2 Samuel 7:26
so that Your name will be magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts is God over Israel.’ And the house of Your servant David will be established before You.

2 Samuel 7:16
Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

2 Samuel 23:5
Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire?

Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Matthew 1:1
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Acts 13:22-23
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’ / From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.

Treasury of Scripture

Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

for David's

1 Kings 11:12,32
Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son…

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:

Genesis 19:29
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

give him

1 Kings 11:36
And 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.

2 Chronicles 21:7
Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

Psalm 132:17
There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

lamp.

Psalm 18:28
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

and to establish

Psalm 87:5
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

Isaiah 9:7
Of 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.

Isaiah 14:32
What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

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1 Kings 15

1. Abijam's wicked reign
7. Asa succeeds him
9. Asa's good reign
16. The war between Baasha and him causes him to make a league with Ben-Hadad
23. Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa
25. Nadab's wicked reign
27. Baasha conspiring against him, executes Ahijah's prophecy
31. Nadab's acts and death
33. Baasha's wicked reign

Berean Study Bible

Nevertheless
This word serves as a pivotal transition, indicating a contrast or exception to what has been previously stated. In the context of 1 Kings 15, it highlights God's grace and faithfulness despite the failures of the kings of Judah. The Hebrew word used here is "אֲבָל" (aval), which often introduces a divine intervention or a shift in narrative, emphasizing God's sovereignty and mercy.

for the sake of David
This phrase underscores the covenantal faithfulness of God. David, a man after God's own heart, had a unique covenant with God, promising that his lineage would endure. The Hebrew root "לְמַעַן" (lema'an) implies purpose or reason, indicating that God's actions are deeply rooted in His promises. This reflects the theological theme of God's unwavering commitment to His covenants, a cornerstone of conservative Christian belief.

the LORD his God
This phrase identifies the personal and covenantal relationship between God and the kings of Judah. "LORD" is translated from "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. "His God" personalizes this relationship, reminding readers of the intimate bond between God and His chosen people, a relationship that is central to the narrative of the Old Testament.

gave him a lamp in Jerusalem
The metaphor of a "lamp" symbolizes hope, guidance, and continuity. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a lamp often represented life and prosperity. The Hebrew word "נֵר" (ner) conveys the idea of a lasting legacy or dynasty. This imagery reassures the reader of God's provision and the enduring light of David's lineage, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

by raising up a son to succeed him
This phrase speaks to the divine orchestration of leadership succession. The Hebrew verb "קָם" (qam) means to rise or establish, indicating God's active role in appointing leaders. This succession is not merely a political maneuver but a fulfillment of divine promise, ensuring the stability and continuity of David's line, which is crucial for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

and to make Jerusalem strong
Jerusalem, the city of David, holds profound theological significance as the center of worship and the symbol of God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word "חָזַק" (chazaq) means to strengthen or fortify, suggesting divine protection and blessing. This phrase reassures believers of God's commitment to His people and His plans, reinforcing the idea that God's purposes will prevail despite human shortcomings.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Give him a lamp in Jerusalem.--There is here a brief allusion to the victory recorded in the Chronicles, which obviously was the turning-point in the struggle, saving the "lamp" of the house of David from extinction, and "establishing" Jerusalem in security. "For David's sake" is, of course, for the fulfilment of the promise to David (2Samuel 7:12-16). In virtue of the continuity of human history, the Divine law always ordains that, in respect of consequences, the good deeds as well as the sins of fathers are "visited on their children."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - Nevertheless [נרךדנוס ,דךס ,תעב כִּי, Gesen. 393] for David's sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp [Better than margin, candle. The word is "always used figuratively of progeny." See note on ch. 2:26; and of 2 Samuel 21:17; Job 18:5, 6; Psalm 132:17] in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem [But for David's piety, that is to say, his family would have been dethroned, if not destroyed, as was that of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:10), of Baasha (1 Kings 16:2), of Ahab (2 Kings 10:11), etc. Abijah was the third prince of that line who had permitted idolatrous worship, so that that dynasty had richly deserved to forfeit its position. The stability of the family of David on the throne for nearly 400 years, amid all the changes and chances of that period, and whilst in Israel there were "nine changes of dynasty within 250 years" is, as Rawlinson remarks, very "difficult to account for on mere grounds of human reason"]:

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Nevertheless,
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

for the sake
לְמַ֣עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Preposition
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

of David,
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

the LORD
יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

his God
אֱלֹהָ֥יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

gave
נָתַן֩ (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

him
ל֛וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

a lamp
נִ֖יר (nîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5216: A lamp, light

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

by raising up
לְהָקִ֤ים (lə·hā·qîm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

a son
בְּנוֹ֙ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

to succeed him
אַחֲרָ֔יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

and to make
וּֽלְהַעֲמִ֖יד (ū·lə·ha·‘ă·mîḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

Jerusalem {strong}.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

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OT History: 1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless for David's sake did Yahweh his (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)