1 Kings 6:12

1Ki 6:12 [Concerning] this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

Ver. 12. Concerning this house, &c.] That Solomon might not trust to the external work, he is given to know that his obedience to God’s holy law is expected, if ever he mean to inherit the promises. There were in aftertimes that cried ad ravim usque, "The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord!" who yet were destroyed for their iniquities. {Jer 7:4} So the Papists cry out, like so many oyster peddlers, The Church, the Church: and not a few among us, We are believers, can [say] our creed, have had our Christendom, &c. {Mat 7:22}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

12. which thou art in building] It is clear from this that the message came before the completion of the house, and that this is the proper place for its mention, from whatever source the compiler drew it.

I will perform my word] R.V. ‘I will establish.’ See above on 1Ki_2:4. which I spake unto David] See 2Sa_7:12-17.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Concerning this house which thou art in building,.... Or with respect to that, these things are to be said as from the Lord:

if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; even all the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial; and this respects not only Solomon personally, but his successors, and even all the people of Israel:

then will I perform my covenant with thee, which I spake unto David thy father; by Nathan the prophet; not only that he should build an house for God, which should be a settled dwelling place, but that his own house and kingdom should be established for a long time to come, and his posterity should enjoy the presence of God in this house, provided regard was had to the precepts and ordinances of the Lord, Sa2 7:12.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The meaning is, “So far as this house goes, thou art obedient (2Sa 7:13; 1Ch 17:12, etc.); if thou wilt be obedient in other things also, then will I perform My word,” etc., God’s promises being always conditional. The promises made to David were:

(1) that he should be succeeded by one of his sons 2Sa 7:12; Psa 132:11;

(2) that the kingdom should be established in the line of his descendants forever, if they were faithful Psa 132:12; and

(3) that the Israelites should be no more afficted as beforetime 2Sa 7:10.

These promises are now confirmed to Solomon, but on the express condition of obedience, and two further promises are added.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

God speaks thus, partly to encourage him to proceed in his work, and partly to purge out that pride and vain-glory, (which God, the searcher of hearts, saw either then did or would arise in Solomon’s mind, as being the author and builder of so glorious a work,) and that presumption and security, which was very likely to grow, and God foresaw would grow, both in Solomon and in the people; as if God was now in a manner engaged to continue his presence with them, and in his own temple; and that they had now no great reason to fear God’s departure from them, though they should provoke him. Therefore he expresseth the condition upon which his promise and favour is suspended; and by assuring him thereof in case of obedience, he plainly intimates the contrary upon his disobedience.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Concerning or, as to. There is nothing, however, in the Hebrew this house which thou art in building hnKo Cf. bYiw vers. 5, 9, 10 if thou wilt walk in my statutes the connexion of ideas seems to be this, "Thou art doing well to build the house; thou art fulfilling my good pleasure; (2Sa_7:13) if thou wilt go on and in other matters wilt keep," etc. It is to be observed that this promise contains a faint note of warning. Possibly Solomon had already betrayed some slight tokens of declension, and execute my Judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform literally, confirm. Same word as in 1Ki_2:3. The "word of the Lord" is the echo of the word of David my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father i.e., the word mentioned 1Ki_2:4 and found 2Sa_7:12 sqq.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

If - God expresses the condition upon which his promise and favour is suspended; and by assuring him thereof in case of obedience, he plainly intimates the contrary upon his disobedience. Thus he was taught, that all the charge he and the people were at, in erecting this temple, would neither excuse them from obedience to the law of God, nor shelter them from his judgments in case of disobedience.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.