Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 11:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The elders of Israel arrive at Hebron to meet King David, formalizing his national reign after his previous military leadership under Saul. This gathering marks the transition from Judah’s regional rule to unified kingship before the campaign against Jerusalem.
The words — וַ֠/יָּבֹאוּ (va/yi.vo'u) literally means "and they came," recording the elders' physical arrival. וַ/יִּכְרֹת (va/yi.kh.rot) translates to "and he made," describing David establishing a formal covenant with them.
The thread — This covenantal anointing fulfills the divine instruction recorded in 1 Samuel 16:1 and extends the earlier regional anointing in 2 Samuel 2:4. The narrative sequence ties David’s legitimacy across both Judah and the broader Israelite tribes.
Why it lands — The text establishes that royal authority derives from documented divine word rather than personal ambition. Readers must acknowledge the completed procedural steps of covenant and anointing before national consolidation proceeds.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”
- 1 Samuel 16:12 So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
- 2 Samuel 2:4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”
- 2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.
- 1 Samuel 15:28 So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.
- 1 Samuel 16:3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.”
- 1 Samuel 28:17 He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.
- Judges 11:11 So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their leader and commander. And Jephthah repeated all his terms in the presence of the LORD at Mizpah.
- 1 Samuel 11:15 So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.
- 1 Samuel 23:18 So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.