1 Chronicles 18:14 kjv
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
1 Chronicles 18:14 nkjv
So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people.
1 Chronicles 18:14 niv
David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
1 Chronicles 18:14 esv
So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.
1 Chronicles 18:14 nlt
So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.
1 Chronicles 18 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 8:15 | So David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people. | Parallel account highlighting David's righteous rule. |
| Ps 72:2 | May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. | Prayer for a king to rule with justice and righteousness, mirroring David's reign. |
| Ps 75:2 | "When I choose the appointed time, I will judge uprightly." | God's commitment to righteous judgment, reflecting the king's role as His agent. |
| 1 Kgs 4:1 | So King Solomon was king over all Israel. | Solomon continuing the unified reign over all Israel after David. |
| Deut 16:18 | You shall appoint judges... who shall judge the people with righteous judgment. | Divine command for justice in Israel, fulfilled by David's rule. |
| Prov 21:3 | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | Emphasizes the importance of ethical governance to God. |
| Isa 9:7 | Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end... with justice and righteousness. | Prophecy of the Messiah's future reign characterized by ultimate justice. |
| Jer 23:5 | "Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign... and execute justice and righteousness on the earth." | Messianic prophecy of a Davidic king ruling with perfect justice. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Divine expectation for human behavior, including rulers. |
| Ps 99:4 | "The King in His might loves justice... You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob." | Describes God's character as loving justice and establishing equity. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | God establishes earthly authorities, implying their role in governance. |
| 1 Chr 17:14 | "I will set him over My house and over My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever." | God's covenant promise to David regarding his perpetual kingdom. |
| Lk 1:32-33 | "He will be great... and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David... and of His kingdom there will be no end." | Fulfillment of the Davidic covenant in Christ's eternal kingdom. |
| Ps 89:14 | Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; lovingkindness and truth go before You. | The attributes upon which God's own throne rests, reflected in His chosen king. |
| Prov 29:4 | The king by justice makes the land stable, but a man who exacts gifts overthrows it. | Highlights the positive societal impact of a king ruling with justice. |
| 2 Sam 8:6 | Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David's servants and brought tribute. And the LORD helped David wherever he went. | God's constant help and success granted to David in his rule. |
| 1 Chr 18:6 | Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus; and the Arameans became David's servants and brought tribute. And the LORD helped David wherever he went. | Parallel passage emphasizing God's divine assistance to David. |
| 1 Chr 18:13 | And he put garrisons in Edom... And all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD helped David wherever he went. | Further example of God's hand enabling David's widespread authority. |
| Ps 72:4 | May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy... | The practical outcome of a just ruler: protection of the vulnerable. |
| Isa 11:4 | But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth... | Another Messianic prophecy emphasizing justice for the vulnerable. |
| 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... a man after My heart, who will do all My will.'" | Divine appointment of David and his obedience, enabling his just rule. |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | When reviled, He did not revile in return; when suffering, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. | Christ's example reflecting perfect submission to the ultimate just judge. |
1 Chronicles 18 verses
1 Chronicles 18 14 Meaning
First Chronicles 18:14 declares that David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and equity to all his people. This verse succinctly encapsulates the nature and scope of King David's rule, emphasizing his authority over a unified Israel and the righteous character of his governance. It highlights God's establishment of David's kingdom and the just application of divine principles through His chosen king, bringing order and fairness to the nation.
1 Chronicles 18 14 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 18 details David's military victories and expansion of his kingdom, demonstrating God's consistent help and fulfillment of His promises. Preceding verse 14, the chapter recounts David's conquests of Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Aram (Damascus), and Edom, gathering immense plunder and establishing control over surrounding nations. Each conquest is punctuated by the phrase "the LORD helped David wherever he went," reinforcing the divine agency behind his success. This extensive territorial and military success establishes David's unchallenged authority, which then provides the foundation for his domestic administration. Verse 14 summarizes the state of the kingdom and the character of its king after these victorious campaigns, positioning David not merely as a conquering warrior but as a righteous sovereign who maintains order and fairness within his vast dominion. The Chronicler emphasizes God's favor upon David's reign, portraying him as an ideal king who establishes justice, contrasting with kings who fail to uphold God's law. This sets a precedent for understanding future kingship in Israel and points forward to the ultimate righteous reign of the Messiah.
1 Chronicles 18 14 Word analysis
- David: The central figure, God's chosen king. In Hebrew, דָּוִיד (Dawid), meaning "beloved." He is the archetypal king of Israel, central to God's covenant promises (2 Sam 7).
- reigned: Hebrew, מָלַךְ (malak), meaning "to rule," "to be king." It signifies absolute sovereign authority. David's kingship was divinely instituted, not by human will alone.
- over all Israel: This phrase indicates the full unification of the twelve tribes under one legitimate king, a goal often elusive in Israel's history (cf. Judg 21:25). It shows the complete scope of his political authority, unlike the period of Judges where power was fragmented.
- executed: Hebrew, וַיַּעַשׂ (wayya‘as), from עָשָׂה ('asah), meaning "to make," "to do," "to perform." This implies active implementation and consistent application of the following concepts. It's not passive possession but active administration.
- justice: Hebrew, מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), encompassing legal judgment, legal right, or moral justice. It refers to the fair application of law, righteous decree, and the inherent rightness of God's statutes. This isn't just retribution but involves righteous arbitration and care for the vulnerable (Isa 1:17).
- and equity: Hebrew, וּצְדָקָה (uṣdaqa), from צְדָקָה (tsedaqah), meaning "righteousness," "moral rectitude," "just behavior." Often paired with mishpat, it refers to the standard of ethical conduct and upright character. While mishpat relates to external laws, tsedaqah relates to internal moral integrity that drives just actions.
- to all his people: This specifies the beneficiaries of David's righteous rule: everyone within the realm of Israel, irrespective of social standing. It underscores the universal, impartial nature of his administration, aligning with God's command for impartiality (Deut 1:16-17).
- David reigned over all Israel: This group of words emphasizes the complete political unification achieved under David. His rule was not partial or contested among the tribes but total and recognized throughout the nation, a significant achievement by divine enablement.
- executed justice and equity: This phrase characterizes the very nature of David's rule. It goes beyond mere governance, indicating a kingship founded on moral and legal righteousness, reflecting divine attributes (Ps 99:4). This suggests a theocratic rule where God's standards were upheld.
1 Chronicles 18 14 Bonus section
The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, emphasizes David's righteousness and successes far more than the book of Samuel, which records his failures (e.g., the Bathsheba affair is omitted in Chronicles). This editorial choice aims to provide a positive model for leadership, emphasize the importance of true worship, and foster hope in the ongoing Davidic covenant. By focusing on David's establishment of justice and equity, the Chronicler teaches that God blesses rulers who govern righteously and according to His will. This ideal kingship becomes a prophetic pointer, sustaining the hope of Israel for a future king who would fully embody perfect justice and equity.
1 Chronicles 18 14 Commentary
1 Chronicles 18:14 stands as a theological summation of King David's reign, presenting him as an ideal ruler through whom God's purposes for Israel were manifest. It highlights two foundational aspects: his universal dominion ("over all Israel") and the ethical quality of his governance ("executed justice and equity"). David's reign was a unified monarchy, overcoming tribal divisions and solidifying the nation's political identity under God's chosen king. Crucially, his authority was exercised righteously, mirroring the very character of God. The phrase "justice and equity" (mishpat and tzedakah) speaks to the implementation of God's righteous standards in the daily administration of the kingdom, ensuring fairness, upholding rights, and acting ethically. This verse serves as a historical affirmation of the Davidic covenant and also functions typologically, pointing towards the ultimate Davidic King, Jesus Christ, whose reign is eternal, perfectly just, and universally comprehensive, bringing divine order and righteousness to all creation (Isa 9:7). David's reign was a temporary and imperfect glimpse of this greater, ultimate reality.