1 Chronicles 17 11

1 Chronicles 17:11 kjv

And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 17:11 nkjv

And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 17:11 niv

When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 17:11 esv

When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 17:11 nlt

For when you die and join your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong.

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 11 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:11 presents a pivotal part of God's covenant with David, as delivered through the prophet Nathan. It promises David that upon his death, God Himself will establish a successor from his direct lineage, who will then have his kingdom divinely secured. This divine assurance emphasizes that David's dynasty and reign would be divinely ordained and firmly established, enduring beyond his lifetime.

1 Chronicles 17 11 Context

First Chronicles Chapter 17 is a crucial text detailing the Davidic Covenant. It immediately follows David's desire to build a magnificent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, expressing his deep devotion to the Lord (1 Chr 17:1-2). Nathan the prophet initially supports David's idea but is then corrected by God. In 1 Chronicles 17:3-15, God delivers a counter-proposal to David through Nathan. God clarifies that it is He, not David, who will build a "house" (bayith) – but this house will be a dynasty for David, not a physical dwelling for God. Verse 11, specifically, addresses the succession plan and the permanence of David's royal line, setting the stage for the glorious and eternal kingship of his ultimate descendant, the Messiah. Historically, this covenant ensures the future of Israel's monarchy through David's lineage, providing hope and a framework for their national and spiritual identity even through future exiles and trials. This divine intervention establishes that God controls Israel's future leadership, not merely human succession planning or political maneuverings.

1 Chronicles 17 11 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass, when thy days are expired

  • "And it shall come to pass": (Hebrew: wə·hā·yāh) A common biblical introductory phrase signifying the announcement of a significant, divinely determined future event. It carries an air of certainty and divine decree.
  • "thy days": (Hebrew: יְמֶיךָ, yə·me·ḵā, literally "your days"). Refers to David's appointed lifespan on earth.
  • "are expired": (Hebrew: מָלְאוּ, mā·lə·’ū, meaning "are full" or "completed"). Implies a divinely appointed culmination of his life, not a premature end. It's the natural conclusion of a lifespan, as determined by God. This indicates a preordained timeline for this transition.

• that thou must go to be with thy fathers,

  • "that thou must go": (Hebrew: וְשָׁכַבְתָּ, wə·šā·ḵaḇ·tā, meaning "and you lie down" or "sleep"). This is a common biblical euphemism for death, presenting it as a peaceful rest or sleeping away. It deprives death of its terror by likening it to a temporary sleep.
  • "to be with thy fathers": (Hebrew: עִם־אֲבֹתֶיךָ, ‘im-’a·ḇō·ṯe·ḵā, "with your fathers/ancestors"). This phrase signifies burial in a family tomb or resting place, joining one's forebears. It reflects the ancient practice of communal family graves and also implicitly suggests a continuity of lineage. It implies entering the realm of the departed, but in this context, primarily referring to the physical act of burial.

• that I will raise up thy seed after thee,

  • "that I will raise up": (Hebrew: וַהֲקִימֹתִי, wa·ha·qî·mō·ṯî, "and I will cause to stand" or "establish"). This highlights divine agency. It's not David choosing his successor, nor is it merely natural procreation. God actively selects, empowers, and positions the successor. This contrasts with common succession struggles in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, showing God's direct intervention.
  • "thy seed": (Hebrew: זַרְעֲךָ, zar·‘a·ḵā, "your seed" or "offspring"). This term is crucial in covenant theology, referring to a biological descendant. In this context, it immediately points to Solomon, but prophetically extends to all Davidic kings and ultimately to the singular "Seed" — the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This "seed" embodies the continuity of the covenantal promise.
  • "after thee": This specifies chronological succession. The successor comes after David's departure, emphasizing an unbroken royal line.

• which shall be of thy sons;

  • "which shall be of thy sons": (Hebrew: מִבָּנֶיךָ, mi·bā·ne·ḵā, "from your sons"). This further specifies the lineage: the successor will be one of David's direct male offspring. This distinguishes the promised "seed" from potential collateral lines or adoption, solidifying it within his immediate family. This particularity is foundational for tracing the Messiah's genealogy.

• and I will establish his kingdom.

  • "and I will establish": (Hebrew: וַהֲכִנֹתִי, wa·ha·ḵi·nō·ṯî, "and I will make firm," "prepare," or "make secure"). This reiterates divine guarantee and initiative. God is the active agent in securing the reign. It implies permanence, stability, and divine sanction for the kingdom, preventing its collapse.
  • "his kingdom": (Hebrew: אֶת־מַמְלַכְתּוֹ, ’eṯ-mam·laḵ·tō, "his kingdom/kingship"). Refers to the sphere of rule, the authority, and the royal office. The establishment of this kingdom goes beyond mere human reign; it signifies a divinely sanctioned dynasty. This phrase lays the groundwork for understanding the Messianic kingdom as a divinely established eternal dominion.

1 Chronicles 17 11 Bonus section

The broader context of 1 Chronicles 17 (and 2 Samuel 7) involves a profound "house" wordplay. David desired to build a bayith (house/temple) for God, but God countered that He would build a bayith (house/dynasty) for David. This semantic mirroring underscores that God's plan for a lasting lineage and eternal kingdom for David superseded David's noble desire to build a mere physical structure. The initiative is always God's; He chooses to establish the kingdom, ensure the lineage, and define the terms of the covenant. The emphasis on "I will" statements throughout this prophecy highlights God's sovereignty and His unshakeable commitment to His promises.

1 Chronicles 17 11 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:11 is a core verse of the Davidic Covenant, echoing the more detailed account in 2 Samuel 7. It encapsulates God's foundational promise to King David, shifting the narrative from David building a physical temple for God to God building an enduring "house"—a dynasty—for David. This verse establishes that upon David's death ("when thy days are expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers"), God Himself, by His sovereign decree, will designate and establish David's successor ("I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons"). Crucially, the promise extends beyond the immediate succession to the securing of the successor's rule: "and I will establish his kingdom."

This promise is unconditional in its establishment of the Davidic line. While subsequent kings might face divine discipline for their disobedience, the existence of the Davidic dynasty itself is guaranteed. The term "seed" (Hebrew: zera) has both immediate (Solomon) and ultimate (the Messiah) fulfillment. It ensures that David will always have a descendant on his throne. This points directly to Jesus Christ, the ultimate heir of David, whose spiritual and eternal kingdom transcends earthly temporalities. The promise of an established kingdom means a stable, divinely secured rule that will endure. It emphasizes divine control over human succession and the permanence of God's chosen lineage.