1 Chronicles 11:3

Authorized King James Version

Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַ֠יָּבֹאוּ
Therefore came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
זִקְנֵ֨י
all the elders
old
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
לְמֶ֙לֶךְ֙
king
a king
#7
בְּחֶבְר֖וֹן
to Hebron
chebron, the name of two israelites
#8
וַיִּכְרֹת֩
made
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#9
לָהֶ֨ם
H0
#10
דָּוִ֤יד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#11
בְּרִ֛ית
a covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#12
בְּחֶבְר֖וֹן
to Hebron
chebron, the name of two israelites
#13
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
וַיִּמְשְׁח֨וּ
and they anointed
to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
דָּוִ֤יד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#18
לְמֶ֙לֶךְ֙
king
a king
#19
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#21
כִּדְבַ֥ר
according to the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#22
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#23
בְּיַד
by
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#24
שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃
Samuel
shemuel, the name of three israelites

Analysis

This verse develops the covenant theme central to 1 Chronicles. The concept of covenant reflects the development of covenant within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of covenant within the theological tradition of 1 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection