King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 17:11 Mean?

1 Chronicles 17:11 in the King James Version says “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 s... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

9

Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

10

And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

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.

12

He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

13

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:


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's unconditional commitment to David's line provide assurance about His promises to believers in Christ?
  2. What does it mean that Christ fulfills this promise as the eternal 'seed' who establishes an everlasting kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּֽי2 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָלְא֤וּ3 of 17

be expired

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יָמֶ֙יךָ֙4 of 17

And it shall come to pass when thy days

H3117

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

לָלֶ֣כֶת5 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִם6 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ7 of 17

to be with thy fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַהֲקִֽימוֹתִ֤י8 of 17

that I will raise up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶֽת9 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זַרְעֲךָ֙10 of 17

thy seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ11 of 17

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִֽהְיֶ֖ה13 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִבָּנֶ֑יךָ14 of 17

thee which shall be of thy sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וַהֲכִֽינוֹתִ֖י15 of 17

and I will establish

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

אֶת16 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃17 of 17

his kingdom

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 17:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 17:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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