1 Chronicles 14 2

1 Chronicles 14:2 kjv

And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.

1 Chronicles 14:2 nkjv

So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

1 Chronicles 14:2 niv

And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

1 Chronicles 14:2 esv

And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

1 Chronicles 14:2 nlt

And David realized that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

1 Chronicles 14 verses

1 Chronicles 14 2 Meaning

This verse encapsulates David's profound understanding that his kingship over all Israel was not a matter of human ambition or political maneuvering, but a direct, divine confirmation by the Lord. It reveals his spiritual insight that God had established him, not for personal aggrandizement, but so that God's kingdom might be exalted through David's reign for the ultimate blessing and benefit of God's chosen people, Israel. David recognized the divine purpose underlying his ascension to the throne, realizing his role as an instrument in God's broader redemptive plan.

1 Chronicles 14 2 Context

Chapter 14 of 1 Chronicles marks a pivotal point in David's reign, emphasizing his establishment as king over all Israel. Verse 1 recounts King Hiram of Tyre's initiative to build David's royal palace, signifying external recognition and the stabilization of his rule. Immediately following this outward sign of royal authority, verse 2 delves into David's internal, spiritual realization: his kingship was not merely a political achievement but a divinely ordained reality. This insight profoundly shapes the subsequent narrative, leading to David's growing family (14:3-7) and, most significantly, his victorious military campaigns against the Philistines, always undertaken with divine consultation and guidance (14:8-17). Historically, this period reflects David's unification of the kingdom following Saul's death and Ish-bosheth's brief reign, transitioning from king over Judah to king over a united Israel. The Chronicler’s unique emphasis is not merely on historical facts, but on God’s sovereign hand and David's righteous responses, thereby highlighting the divine legitimacy and theological purpose of the Davidic dynasty.

1 Chronicles 14 2 Word analysis

• And David perceived (וַיֵּדַע - vayyeda'): The verb yada' (ידע) means "to know," "to understand," or "to perceive." Here, it signifies not just intellectual understanding but a deep, spiritual discernment or realization. It indicates David's personal recognition of God's active hand in his life and kingship. This emphasizes a theological rather than purely political understanding of his ascent to power.

• that the Lord (כִּי־יְהוָה - ki-Yahweh): This directly attributes the action to God's personal and covenantal name, Yahweh, highlighting His active and intentional involvement. The focus is squarely on divine initiative and sovereignty.

• had confirmed him king (הֵכִינוּ לְמֶלֶךְ - hekhinu ləmelekh): The root verb kun (כּוּן) means "to establish," "to prepare," "to make firm," or "to confirm." It conveys the idea of setting something on a solid foundation, making it permanent and secure. The Hiphil stem here indicates a causative action—the Lord caused him to be established as king. This removes any doubt that David's kingship was a mere human accomplishment or a result of circumstance.

• over Israel (עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - ‘al-Yisra’el): Specifies the realm of his divinely established rule, indicating David's authority encompassed all the tribes, fulfilling the promise of a united kingdom under God's chosen leader.

• for His kingdom was lifted up on high (כִּי נִשֵּׂאת לְמַעְלָה מַלְכוּתוֹ - ki nisshet lema'lah malkuto):

  • lifted up on high (נִשֵּׂאת לְמַעְלָה - nisshet lema'lah): The verb nasa' (נשׂא) means "to lift up," "to carry," or "to exalt." The Niphal form suggests "to be lifted up," indicating that the kingdom's exaltation was a passive action upon it, driven by an external (divine) force. "On high" (lema'lah) signifies an elevated position of prominence, power, and prestige. This speaks to the divinely ordained status and dignity of David's kingdom.
  • His kingdom (מַלְכוּתוֹ - malkuto): This refers to the kingdom under David's rule, yet it is implicitly God's kingdom manifested through David. The singular possessive suffix (-o) for "his" here is ambiguous in English but typically points to God's ownership or purpose behind the kingdom, as seen by scholars interpreting this phrase. It emphasizes that the true beneficiary of the kingdom's exaltation is ultimately God's divine purpose and glory.

• because of His people Israel (בַּעֲבוּר עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל - ba‘avur ‘ammo Yisra’el):

  • because of (בַּעֲבוּר - ba‘avur): This crucial preposition signifies "for the sake of," "on account of," or "for the benefit of." It defines the ultimate purpose of David's exalted reign.
  • His people Israel (עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל - ‘ammo Yisra’el): God's covenant people. This emphasizes that the primary purpose of David's divinely established and exalted kingdom was not for David's personal glory or dynasty, but for the welfare, blessing, and covenant fulfillment for the nation of Israel. It portrays David's leadership as fundamentally redemptive and serving God's larger plan for His chosen people.

1 Chronicles 14 2 Bonus section

The Chronicler's specific phrasing in 1 Chron 14:2 highlights a distinctive theological agenda. Unlike the historical books of Samuel and Kings, which often focus on the narrative of David's reign, 1 Chronicles consistently emphasizes the divine causality behind events. This verse explicitly articulates David's spiritual insight, a deeper understanding that would guide his actions (like seeking God's will before battle). This divine perspective served as an encouragement to the post-exilic community reading the Chronicler's work, reminding them that despite their reduced political status, God remained sovereign over their destiny and would fulfill His promises to His people. It implicitly critiques any human-centered view of governance, redirecting attention to God's ultimate purpose and power in human affairs.

1 Chronicles 14 2 Commentary

1 Chronicles 14:2 serves as a pivotal theological statement from the Chronicler, underscoring the divine legitimation of David's rule. David's perception was not mere speculation but a deep, spiritual recognition (like faith's apprehension) that his authority stemmed entirely from the Lord Yahweh, the covenant God. The emphasis on God "confirming" David means establishing him with solidity and permanence, an action unique to divine power. Furthermore, the exaltation of "His kingdom" — understood as God's rule expressed through David — was explicitly "lifted up on high." This elevation was not for David's personal fame, but had a specific, ultimate purpose: "because of His people Israel." This reveals that God raises leaders and establishes kingdoms for the well-being and blessing of His covenant people. It positions David not as an absolute monarch ruling by human right, but as a servant ruler, a vicegerent whose authority is for the good of those entrusted to his care by God Himself. This challenges typical ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology by foregrounding divine sovereignty and the welfare of God's chosen people as the primary aim of human governance under God.