1 Chronicles 16:20

KJV

And [when] they went from nation to nation, and from [one] kingdom to another people;

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they went {H1980} from nation {H1471} to nation {H1471}, and from one kingdom {H4467} to another {H312} people {H5971};

Complete Jewish Bible

wandering from nation to nation, from this kingdom to that people,

Berean Standard Bible

they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

American Standard Version

And they went about from nation to nation, And from one kingdom to another people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:20 is a poignant verse embedded within King David's great psalm of thanksgiving, recited when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This verse, also found in Psalm 105:13, encapsulates God's unwavering and miraculous protection over His chosen people, the patriarchs and their immediate descendants, during their vulnerable, nomadic existence before their settlement in the Promised Land. It highlights the extensive and often perilous journeys through diverse foreign territories, emphasizing God's sovereign hand in preserving His covenant people against all odds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise that King David delivered through Asaph and his brethren on the momentous day the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem and placed in the tent David had prepared for it. The entire chapter of [1 Chronicles 16](/1_chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving") is a compilation of various psalmic elements, primarily drawn from [Psalm 105](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to Israel") and [Psalm 96](/psalms/96 "Psalm 96 - A Call to Worship the Lord"). Verses [1 Chronicles 16:8-22](/1_chronicles/16-8 "1 Chronicles 16:8-22 - Recounting God's Deeds") are almost identical to [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalms/105-1 "Psalm 105:1-15 - A Call to Remember God's Works"), recounting God's historical faithfulness to Israel from the time of Abraham through the patriarchal period. Verse [1 Chronicles 16:20](/1_chronicles/16-20 "1 Chronicles 16:20 - God's Protection of the Patriarchs") specifically serves as a historical reminder of the precarious early stages of Israel's existence, setting the stage for the subsequent declaration of God's protective rebuke against those who would harm His anointed ones in [1 Chronicles 16:21-22](/1_chronicles/16-21 "1 Chronicles 16:21-22 - Do Not Touch My Anointed Ones").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical period referenced in [1 Chronicles 16:20](/1_chronicles/16-20 "1 Chronicles 16:20 - God's Protection of the Patriarchs") is the patriarchal era, spanning from Abraham's call in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - The Call of Abraham") through the time of Jacob and his sons, before the Exodus from Egypt. During these centuries, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, along with their families, lived as semi-nomadic sojourners in the land of Canaan and surrounding regions, including Egypt. They possessed no settled territory of their own and were vulnerable minorities in lands inhabited by more powerful, established nations and kingdoms, such as the Canaanites, Philistines, and various city-states. Their existence was inherently precarious, marked by frequent movements for pasture and resources, and exposure to potential hostilities, famine, and disease. The phrase "from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people" vividly portrays the extensive and often dangerous travels undertaken by these early ancestors of Israel, highlighting the constant need for divine oversight and intervention in a world where hospitality was not always guaranteed and foreign sojourners were often viewed with suspicion or hostility.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Protection and Providence**. Even when Israel was merely a nascent family, vulnerable and without a homeland, God's watchful eye and active intervention ensured their survival and growth. This is evident in episodes like God's protection of Abraham and Sarah in Egypt and Gerar ([Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10 "Genesis 12:10-20 - Abraham and Sarah in Egypt"); [Genesis 20:1-18](/genesis/20-1 "Genesis 20:1-18 - Abraham and Sarah in Gerar")). Secondly, it highlights **Covenant Faithfulness**. The verse serves as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to the covenant He made with Abraham, promising to make him a great nation and to bless his descendants ([Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). Despite their wandering and vulnerability, God ensured the lineage remained intact and protected, demonstrating His steadfastness in fulfilling His promises. Thirdly, it implicitly showcases **God's Sovereignty Over Nations**. The passage implies that God allowed His people to pass through various kingdoms, and He held those kingdoms accountable for how they treated His chosen ones, even rebuking kings for their sake, as explicitly stated in the subsequent verse, [1 Chronicles 16:21](/1_chronicles/16-21 "1 Chronicles 16:21 - God's Rebuke of Kings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nation (Hebrew, _goy_):** This term (גּוֹי) refers broadly to a people, tribe, or nation, often in contrast to Israel, or sometimes even to Israel itself when viewed as a distinct people group. In this context, the plural "nations" emphasizes the multitude of distinct, often pagan, peoples and political entities through which the patriarchs traveled. It evokes a sense of foreignness, potential threat, and the vastness of the world outside God's immediate covenant people.
* **Kingdom (Hebrew, _mamlakah_):** This word (מַמְלָכָה) denotes a realm, dominion, or kingdom, signifying a more organized political entity with a ruling authority. The phrase "from one kingdom to another people" highlights the movement not just between different ethnic groups, but between established political powers, underscoring the precarious position of the patriarchs who had no political standing of their own yet were divinely protected within these foreign jurisdictions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [when] they went from nation to nation,"**: This clause describes the extensive and continuous movement of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their families. The repetition of "nation to nation" (Hebrew: _miggoi el goi_) emphasizes the sheer scope and diversity of the territories they traversed. It paints a picture of constant itinerancy, highlighting their status as sojourners without a permanent homeland, reliant entirely on divine guidance and protection as they navigated a world of distinct, often powerful, and potentially hostile peoples.
* **"and from [one] kingdom to another people;"**: This parallel clause reinforces the idea of widespread travel and vulnerability. "Kingdom" (Hebrew: _mimmamlachah_) signifies a politically organized state, while "another people" (Hebrew: _el am acher_) refers to a different ethnic or tribal group. The combination underscores that their journeys were not merely through uninhabited wilderness but through the established domains of various rulers and diverse populations. This movement through different sovereign territories further magnifies the miracle of their preservation, as their safety depended not on their own strength or alliances, but on God's direct intervention and sovereign control over these foreign powers.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [1 Chronicles 16:20](/1_chronicles/16-20 "1 Chronicles 16:20 - God's Protection of the Patriarchs") is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**. The phrases "from nation to nation" and "from one kingdom to another people" convey essentially the same idea of extensive, wide-ranging travel through foreign lands, but they do so using different, yet related, terms ("nation" and "kingdom," "nation" and "people"). This repetition serves to create **Emphasis**, underscoring the vastness of the patriarchs' journeys and the sheer number of distinct entities they encountered. The cumulative effect is to magnify the remarkable nature of God's protection, which extended across such diverse and potentially dangerous territories. It also highlights the **Vulnerability** of the patriarchs, who, as a small, unestablished group, were constantly moving through the domains of others, making God's consistent preservation all the more miraculous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:20 serves as a powerful theological anchor, reminding God's people, both ancient and modern, of His unwavering commitment to His covenant and His providential care. It affirms that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon human strength, stability, or political standing, but is rooted in His own character and sovereign power. The historical recounting of the patriarchs' journey illustrates that even in their most vulnerable and transient states, God was actively involved, protecting and guiding them. This foundational truth assures believers that God remains intimately concerned with the well-being of His people, overseeing their journeys through life's diverse "nations and kingdoms," ensuring His ultimate purposes for them are fulfilled. It underscores the theme of divine election and the security found in being "His anointed ones," whom no one can touch without divine consequence.

* [Deuteronomy 32:10](/deuteronomy/32-10 "Deuteronomy 32:10 - God's Care in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 91:4](/psalms/91-4 "Psalm 91:4 - God's Covering and Protection")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "God Will Never Leave or Forsake Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 16:20 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating the complexities of modern life. Our lives, much like the patriarchs', are often a journey, marked by transitions, uncertainties, and encounters with environments that may feel foreign, challenging, or even hostile. This verse reminds us that just as God meticulously protected Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob during their vulnerable wanderings through diverse nations and kingdoms, He promises His unfailing presence and protection to His people today. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's active providence, knowing that He is sovereign over every circumstance—whether we are moving through professional changes, relational shifts, or spiritual battles. Our security is not found in our own stability or control, but in the steadfastness of the One who "touches not His anointed ones." This should inspire us to live with courage and faith, confident that God is with us in every "nation" and "kingdom" of our lives, guiding us toward His ultimate purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "nations" or "kingdoms" (i.e., unfamiliar or challenging circumstances) do you currently find yourself sojourning?**
* **How does the historical example of God's protection over the patriarchs encourage your trust in His providence for your own life today?**
* **What specific fears or anxieties might this verse address in your heart, knowing that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" referring to in this verse?**

Answer: "They" refers to the patriarchs of Israel—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and their immediate families and descendants, as they journeyed through various lands before the nation of Israel was established in Canaan. This period is extensively documented in the book of [Genesis](/genesis/1 "Genesis - The Book of Beginnings"), which recounts their nomadic lifestyle, their encounters with different peoples and rulers, and God's consistent protection over them. For example, [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - The Call of Abraham") describes Abraham's initial call to leave his homeland and sojourn in Canaan, while later chapters detail Jacob's travels and the descent of his family into Egypt ([Genesis 46](/genesis/46 "Genesis 46 - Jacob's Family Goes to Egypt")).

**Why is this verse repeated in both 1 Chronicles and Psalms?**

Answer: This verse, along with a larger section of [1 Chronicles 16:8-22](/1_chronicles/16-8 "1 Chronicles 16:8-22 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving"), is almost identical to [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalms/105-1 "Psalm 105:1-15 - God's Faithfulness to Israel"). This repetition highlights the significance of the message. The Chronicler, writing after the Babylonian exile, emphasized God's faithfulness to His covenant people through history, encouraging a discouraged post-exilic community. By incorporating this psalm into the narrative of the Ark's return to Jerusalem, David's act of worship becomes a timeless declaration of God's enduring care. The repetition in [Psalm 105](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Wonderful Works") reinforces its role as a historical psalm, recounting God's mighty deeds and covenant faithfulness to Israel, intended for worship and remembrance across generations. Both books use this text to underscore God's unwavering commitment to His people despite their vulnerabilities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine protection afforded to the patriarchs as they journeyed "from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament narrative of God safeguarding a vulnerable, wandering people foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Protector and Shepherd of His new covenant community. Just as God preserved the physical lineage through which the Messiah would come, Christ now preserves His spiritual lineage, the Church, against all the powers of this world. He is the one who declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")), asserting His sovereignty over all "nations" and "kingdoms." The precarious journey of the patriarchs, seeking a promised land, culminates in Christ, who is our true rest and eternal inheritance ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Promise of Rest")). He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep and ensures that "no one will snatch them out of my hand" ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them")). The divine protection promised to "My anointed ones" in [1 Chronicles 16:22](/1_chronicles/16-22 "1 Chronicles 16:22 - Do Not Touch My Anointed Ones") finds its fullest expression in Christ, the Anointed One (_Messiah_), and in those who are "in Christ," who are now co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")) and part of His indestructible kingdom ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Transferred to His Kingdom")). Thus, the historical account of God's faithfulness becomes a vibrant testament to the enduring, protective love of God revealed supremely in His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 46:3

And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Genesis 12:10

¶ And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.

Genesis 20:1

¶ And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

Genesis 46:6

And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him: