Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 28:4
Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses his son Solomon and the assembled leaders, explaining his exclusion from temple construction while affirming God's sovereign selection of his lineage for the throne. This declaration occurs immediately after God explicitly forbids David from building a house for His name.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּבְחַר (va-yivchar), literally "and he chose," anchors the verse's emphasis on divine election. The phrase יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yahweh Elohei Yisrael) identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel who initiates this selection.
The thread — God's choice of Judah over other tribes aligns with 1 Chronicles 5:2, which records Judah's prevailing leadership. The rejection of Saul's line and David's subsequent anointing are introduced in 1 Samuel 16:1.
Why it lands — The text establishes that royal authority derives from divine election, not human lineage or merit. A reader must recognize that leadership positions are assigned by God's will before any human action or approval occurs.
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
Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:
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 Chronicles 5:2 And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.
- 1 Samuel 16:6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.”
- Genesis 49:8 Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you.
- 2 Samuel 7:8 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 17:23 And now, O LORD, let the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house be established forever. Do as You have promised,
- 1 Chronicles 17:27 So now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”
- 1 Samuel 26:1 Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”
- Psalms 18:19 He brought me out into the open; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
- Psalms 60:7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter.