Log inSign up

1 Chronicles 11 · a question people ask

What was "the LORD’s word by Samuel"?

In the text

The chapter doesn't say which word it means. The tribes give the LORD's words to David as "You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel" (11:2), without saying when he spoke them, and then the elders "anointed David king over Israel, according to the LORD’s word by Samuel" (11:3). In 1 Samuel, Samuel had told Saul, "The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), and later, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you" (1 Samuel 15:28). The LORD sent Samuel to Jesse, "for I have provided a king for myself among his sons" (1 Samuel 16:1), and when David came, the LORD said, "Arise! Anoint him, for this is he" (1 Samuel 16:12). Chronicles doesn't point to any one of these, and nothing here chooses between them.

The verses

“In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. The LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD. They anointed David king over Israel, according to the LORD’s word by Samuel.”
1 Chronicles 11:2-3 · World English Bible
“But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.””
1 Samuel 13:14 · World English Bible
“Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you.”
1 Samuel 15:28 · World English Bible
“The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.””
1 Samuel 16:1 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Chronicles 11

1 Chronicles 11: According to the LORD's word

Just after Saul died "because of the LORD’s word, which he didn’t keep" (10:13), Chronicles twice says David was made king "according to the LORD’s word" (11:3, 11:10), and it names his mighty men as those who strengthened themselves with him to make him king by that word.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week1 Chronicles 11 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 1 Chronicles 11

All questions about 1 Chronicles →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions