1 Kings 14:28
And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
1 Kings 14:28 · King James Version
Meaning
When the king entered the house of the LORD, it was customary for the guards to accompany him and ensure his safety during his visit. The guards would escort the king to the designated areas within the temple and then bring him back to the guard chamber once his visit was complete. This verse highlights the importance of security and protection for the king, especially in the religious setting of the temple. It also emphasizes the reverence and respect that was shown towards the king as he entered the sacred space of the house of the LORD. The presence of the guards symbolizes the king's authority and the need for his protection, even in the house of worship. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the careful protocol and security measures that were in place to safeguard the king during his visit to the temple.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of the verse which states "And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bore them, and brought them back into the guard chamber," we can observe the significance of the king's visit to the temple. In ancient times, the king was seen as a representative of the people before God, and his entrance into the house of the LORD symbolized the nation's commitment to worship and obedience to God. The presence of the guard ensuring the safe return of the king's items highlights the importance placed on security and reverence within the sacred space of the temple. This verse serves as a reminder of the respect and honor due to God's house and the need for protection of sacred artifacts. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the meanings of "guard" and "chamber," shedding light on the meticulous care and attention paid to safeguarding the sanctity of the temple and its contents.
1 Kings 14:28 in other translations
American Standard Version
And it was so, that, as oft as the king went into the house of Jehovah, the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber.
World English Bible
It was so, that as often as the king went into Yahweh’s house, the guard bore them, and brought them back into the guard room.
Douay-Rheims
And when the king went into the house of the Lord, they whose office it was to go before him, carried them: and afterwards they brought them back to the armoury of the shieldbearers.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when the King went into the house of the Lord, the garde bare them, and brought them againe into the gard chamber.