1 Chronicles 17:13

Authorized King James Version

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I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

Original Language Analysis

אֲנִי֙ H589
אֲנִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 1 of 17
i
אֶֽהְיֶה H1961
אֶֽהְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לּ֣וֹ H0
לּ֣וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 17
לְאָ֔ב I will be his father H1
לְאָ֔ב I will be his father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 4 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְה֖וּא H1931
וְה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 5 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יִֽהְיֶה H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 6 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִּ֣י H0
לִּ֣י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 17
לְבֵ֑ן and he shall be my son H1121
לְבֵ֑ן and he shall be my son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 8 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
וְחַסְדִּי֙ my mercy H2617
וְחַסְדִּי֙ my mercy
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 9 of 17
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֲסִיר֔וֹתִי and I will not take H5493
הֲסִיר֔וֹתִי and I will not take
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 11 of 17
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ H5973
מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 12 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֲסִיר֔וֹתִי and I will not take H5493
הֲסִיר֔וֹתִי and I will not take
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 14 of 17
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֖ה H1961
הָיָ֖ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 16 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃ it from him that was before H6440
לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃ it from him that was before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 17 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis & Commentary

The father-son relationship 'I will be his father, and he shall be my son' establishes intimate covenant language. While immediately applying to Solomon, Hebrews 1:5 explicitly identifies this as prophetically fulfilled in Christ. The promise 'I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee' contrasts David's line with Saul's rejected dynasty. This 'steadfast love' (chesed) is covenant loyalty that persists despite human failure. Reformed theology sees here the doctrine of perseverance of the saints - God's covenant commitment ensures the ultimate security of His chosen ones, supremely demonstrated in Christ whom the Father eternally loves.

Historical Context

This promise shaped Israel's theology through monarchy, exile, and restoration. Even when human Davidic kings failed, prophets appealed to God's covenant oath (Jeremiah 33:14-26), maintaining messianic hope that produced watchfulness for the Son of David.

Questions for Reflection