1 Chronicles 17:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָלְא֤וּ
be expired
H4390
מָלְא֤וּ
be expired
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
3 of 17
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
יָמֶ֙יךָ֙
And it shall come to pass when thy days
H3117
יָמֶ֙יךָ֙
And it shall come to pass when thy days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לָלֶ֣כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֣כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
6 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
to be with thy fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
to be with thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
7 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַהֲקִֽימוֹתִ֤י
that I will raise up
H6965
וַהֲקִֽימוֹתִ֤י
that I will raise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
8 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זַרְעֲךָ֙
thy seed
H2233
זַרְעֲךָ֙
thy seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
10 of 17
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִבָּנֶ֑יךָ
thee which shall be of thy sons
H1121
מִבָּנֶ֑יךָ
thee which shall be of thy sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וַהֲכִֽינוֹתִ֖י
and I will establish
H3559
וַהֲכִֽינוֹתִ֖י
and I will establish
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
Historical Context
Given c. 995 BCE after David's victories secured the kingdom, this covenant promise transformed Israel's theological understanding. Where Mosaic covenant emphasized conditional obedience, Davidic covenant stressed God's unconditional commitment to maintain David's line, providing hope even through exile and failure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's unconditional commitment to David's line provide assurance about His promises to believers in Christ?
- What does it mean that Christ fulfills this promise as the eternal 'seed' who establishes an everlasting kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
God's promise 'when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee' initiates the Davidic Covenant, the theological center of Chronicles. This covenant promise has both immediate fulfillment (Solomon) and ultimate fulfillment (Christ). The phrase about David's 'seed' (zera) uses singular terminology allowing for corporate (dynasty) and individual (Messiah) interpretation. God's sovereign initiative ('I will raise up') emphasizes divine grace - the covenant isn't earned but given. This unconditional promise becomes the basis for messianic hope, fulfilled in Christ who rises from death to establish an eternal kingdom.