Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 11:3. Itās a really important passage about God's plan for David and how things unfolded after he was born. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes a significant agreement between God and David that set the stage for him to become King of Israel. Letās unpack it piece by piece: āTherefore came all the elders of Israel to Hebronā¦ā ā This tells us this happened before David was born. It's about a gathering of people who were connected to the area around Hebron, which was a very important city in ancient Israel. āā¦and David made a covenant with them in Hebronā¦ā ā David agreed to a special promise or agreement with these elders. This is a crucial part - it's not just any agreement; itās a formal, binding one. āAnd they anointed David king over Israelā¦ā ā This is the key part! David was officially made King of Israel. The word "anointed" means to select someone as king. āā¦according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.ā ā This tells us how this covenant was established. It happened because God spoke to Samuel (a prophet) and told him to choose David to be king. So, it wasn't a random decision; it was guided by divine instruction. In short, this verse describes a blessing given to David by God, which led to his becoming the King of Israel. Why is this important? This event is significant because it establishes: Godās Sovereignty: It shows that God has ultimate control over history and destiny. Divine Guidance: It highlights that God uses people as instruments for His purposes. A Foundation for Leadership: This covenant laid the groundwork for David to lead Israel, establishing his authority and responsibility. Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, I could go into a bit more about: The significance of Hebron What āthe word of the LORDā means in this context The role of Samuel