David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel’s sake.
Parallel translations
- KJV And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
- BSB And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had highly exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
- NKJV So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.
- NASB And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel.
- NLT And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
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 recognized that the LORD had established him as king and exalted his kingdom for Israel's sake. He rightly credited his success to God, not himself.
Overview
David discerned that his growing power came from God, who had established and exalted his throne. Crucially, he understood it was 'for his people Israel's sake,' not for David's personal glory. This God-centered, servant-minded view of kingship distinguishes David from self-seeking rulers. It models the truth that authority is given by God for the good of His people, fulfilled supremely in Christ the servant-King.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ps 89:20–37I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil,
- Num 24:7Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.
- Dan 2:30But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.
- Esth 4:14For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
- 1 Kgs 10:9Blessed is Yahweh your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel. Because Yahweh loved Israel forever, therefore he made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”
- 2 Sam 7:16Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”
- 2 Chr 2:11Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, “Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them.”
- 1 Chr 17:17This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, Yahweh God.
- Isa 1:25–27and I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.
- 2 Sam 7:8Now therefore tell my servant David this, ‘Yahweh of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 14:2 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.