David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him.
Parallel translations
- KJV So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.
- BSB And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him.
- NKJV So David went on and became great, and the Lord of hosts was with him.
- NASB And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of armies was with him.
- NLT And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David grew greater and greater because Yahweh of Armies was with him. His success flowed from God's presence, not his own strength.
Overview
The Chronicler gives the reason for David's rising power: the LORD of hosts (Armies) was with him. This refrain credits God, not military skill or ambition, for David's flourishing. It echoes the assurance given to all God's servants that true greatness and lasting fruit come from divine presence, supremely realized in Christ, with whom the Father was always pleased.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 2 Sam 3:1Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.
- Isa 41:10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Isa 41:14Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel. I will help you,” says Yahweh, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
- Rom 8:31What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- 2 Sam 5:10David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.
- Esth 9:4For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.
- 1 Chr 9:20Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and Yahweh was with him.
- Ps 46:7Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
- Isa 8:9–10Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be shattered!
- Ps 46:11Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
- Job 17:9Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. He who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.
- Isa 9:7Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 11:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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