1 Chronicles 11:1 kjv
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
1 Chronicles 11:1 nkjv
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron, saying, "Indeed we are your bone and your flesh.
1 Chronicles 11:1 niv
All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.
1 Chronicles 11:1 esv
Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
1 Chronicles 11:1 nlt
Then all Israel gathered before David at Hebron and told him, "We are your own flesh and blood.
1 Chronicles 11 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 5:1-3 | Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh..." | Direct parallel of Israel uniting under David |
| 1 Sam 16:12-13 | ...the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward... | David's initial prophetic anointing by Samuel |
| 2 Sam 2:4 | And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. | David's initial anointing over Judah only |
| Ps 78:70-71 | He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people... | God's choice of David as shepherd-king |
| Ps 89:20 | I have found David My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him. | Divine anointing and choosing of David |
| Gen 2:23 | Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh..." | Origin of "bone and flesh" idiom (kinship) |
| Gen 29:14 | Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh!" | Example of "bone and flesh" idiom (family) |
| Jdg 9:2 | "Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh." | "Bone and flesh" used for tribal kinship |
| 2 Sam 19:12-13 | Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me and more also if you are not commander of my army forever instead of Joab. | David using "bone and flesh" for unity |
| Eph 5:30 | for we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. | Spiritual "bone and flesh" in Christ |
| Deut 17:15 | ...you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses. From among your brothers you shall set a king over you... | Requirement for a king from "among brothers" |
| 1 Kgs 8:1 | Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem... | Assembly for Solomon (parallel leadership) |
| Josh 24:1-25 | Joshua makes a covenant with all Israel at Shechem... | Earlier covenant assembly with unified Israel |
| Eze 37:16-17 | "Take one stick and write on it, 'For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions'; then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions.'" | Prophecy of Judah and Ephraim reuniting |
| Isa 11:13 | The envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim. | Prophetic unity of the two kingdoms |
| Jn 10:16 | And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also... | Jesus bringing unity to His flock |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity of believers in the New Covenant |
| Eph 4:3-6 | ...eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit... | Exhortation for Christian unity |
| Josh 14:13-15 | So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance... | Hebron as a place of historical significance |
| Gen 23:2 | And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah... | Hebron's ancient historical importance |
| Num 13:22 | Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. | Historical marker of Hebron's age |
| 1 Sam 7:1 | ...They brought it up and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill... | The Ark's return location prior to Jerusalem |
| 1 Chron 11:4-9 | David conquers Jerusalem from the Jebusites. | Immediate context: David taking Jerusalem |
| Acts 13:22 | And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified and said, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." | God's ultimate selection and purpose for David |
1 Chronicles 11 verses
1 Chronicles 11 1 Meaning
1 Chronicles 11:1 declares the full and unified assembly of all the tribes of Israel to David in Hebron. Their purpose was to formally acknowledge and proclaim David as their rightful king, expressing their shared identity and deep kinship with him through the phrase, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh." This pivotal moment marked the divine establishment of David's kingdom over all twelve tribes, transitioning from his initial rule over Judah to reigning over a united Israel.
1 Chronicles 11 1 Context
1 Chronicles 11:1 marks a turning point in David's kingship and the history of Israel as recounted by the Chronicler. Chapter 10 concluded with the tragic death of Saul, signaling the end of his unfaithful reign. This verse immediately shifts to David's universally acknowledged ascension. David had already been king over the tribe of Judah for seven years in Hebron (2 Sam 2:11). The Chronicler, focusing on the legitimacy and divine appointment of David's unified kingdom, glosses over the civil war that preceded this moment, directly presenting "all Israel" assembling to crown him. The context here is a fresh beginning for the nation under God's chosen king, setting the stage for the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital and the eventual plans for the temple.
1 Chronicles 11 1 Word analysis
- וַיִּקָּבְצוּ (Vayyikkavetzū): This Hebrew word, derived from qabatz (to gather, assemble), signifies an intentional and unified coming together. The "waw consecutive" (the initial 'וַיִּ') indicates a sequential action, emphasizing that this gathering immediately followed the events leading to Saul's demise, asserting a seamless divine transition. It implies both being gathered and gathering themselves, pointing to divine purpose and human response.
- כָל-יִשְׂרָאֵל (kol-yisrael): "All Israel." This phrase highlights the complete unity and universal consensus regarding David's kingship. It's significant because, historically, Israel had been fractured or at least not fully cohesive under previous leadership. The Chronicler emphasizes this ideal unity, aligning with his theological agenda of portraying a united, obedient Israel under God's chosen king.
- אֶל-דָּוִיד (el-dāvid): "To David." This shows David as the central figure, the focal point of the nation's attention and loyalty. He is the unifying force chosen by God.
- חֶבְרוֹנָה (Ḥevronah): "To Hebron." Hebron, an ancient and holy city, holds deep significance. It was the burial place of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives, Gen 23), a city given to Caleb as an inheritance (Josh 14:14-15), and where David had reigned over Judah for seven years. Its choice as the site for this national anointing underscores continuity with Israel's history and a deep-rooted legitimacy. The "-ah" suffix indicates direction, meaning "towards Hebron."
- לֵאמֹר (lēmor): "Saying." This is a standard Hebrew transitional phrase introducing direct speech, signaling that the following words are a direct declaration from the assembly.
- הִנְנוּ עַצְמְךָ וּבְשָׂרְךָ אֲנָחְנוּ (hinnēnū ‘atzměḵā ūḇāśārəḵā ’ănāḥnū): "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh."
- הִנְנוּ (hinnēnū): "Behold, we are." An emphatic declaration, drawing immediate attention to their statement.
- עַצְמְךָ וּבְשָׂרְךָ (ʿatzmékha ūv'śār'kha): "Your bone and your flesh." This is a potent idiom in the Old Testament, first used by Adam for Eve in Gen 2:23. It signifies the closest possible blood relationship, deep kinship, shared identity, common origin, and absolute unity. It goes beyond mere allegiance; it implies a natural and indissoluble bond. The tribes are not just choosing David; they are recognizing him as one of their own, truly embodying the command that a king must be "from among your brothers" (Deut 17:15). It’s a powerful affirmation of shared lineage, shared destiny, and loyalty based on a common identity.
- אֲנָחְנוּ (ʾănāḥnū): "We." An explicit and emphasized pronoun, underscoring the collective declaration of identity and loyalty.
1 Chronicles 11 1 Bonus Section
- Chronicler's Emphasis: Unlike the parallel account in 2 Samuel 5, the Chronicler does not mention David's anointing in this verse, rather it presents "all Israel" having already accepted David based on previous actions (implicitly from his success in leading them, his previous anointing over Judah, and ultimately God's choice). This underscores the Chronicler's intent to highlight the unbroken, divinely sanctioned line of leadership, moving directly from Saul's downfall to David's universal acclamation. The emphasis is on divine plan and unity, streamlining the narrative.
- Covenantal Language: The phrase "bone and flesh" moves beyond mere physical relation. In the ancient Near East, such an expression could function as covenant language, establishing an unbreakable bond and mutual loyalty between parties, especially between a king and his people. It means "we belong to you entirely."
- Hebron as a Symbolic Choice: David residing in Hebron as king for 7.5 years over Judah before the complete national unification was a strategic move. Hebron was a respected and ancient city in the south, yet symbolically neutral enough not to favor any specific large tribe (like Ephraim or Benjamin). It was also accessible and venerable, lending further legitimacy to David's rule. The fact that "all Israel" came to Hebron acknowledges David's existing seat of power.
1 Chronicles 11 1 Commentary
1 Chronicles 11:1 encapsulates the apex of David's ascent to kingship over all Israel, viewed through the Chronicler's theological lens. It presents a scene of overwhelming national unity and endorsement for God's chosen leader. The gathering of "all Israel" to Hebron emphasizes their collective recognition of David, highlighting the fulfillment of divine promise rather than political maneuvering or tribal disputes. The phrase "your bone and your flesh" serves as a profound declaration of kinship, symbolizing the deep-seated connection and shared identity between David and the entire nation. This isn't just a political agreement; it's an acknowledgment of divine providence and a familial bond, solidifying David's rule on a covenantal basis. This unity paves the way for the secure establishment of God's kingdom and prepares the ground for the building of His temple in Jerusalem.