2 Chronicles 13:5

Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, [even] to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

Ought ye not to know {H3045} that the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478} gave {H5414} the kingdom {H4467} over Israel {H3478} to David {H1732} for ever {H5769}, even to him and to his sons {H1121} by a covenant {H1285} of salt {H4417}?

Don't you know that ADONAI, the God of Isra'el, gave rulership over Isra'el to David forever, to him and his descendants, by a covenant of salt [which is unbreakable]?

Do you not know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?

Ought ye not to know that Jehovah, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

In 2 Chronicles 13:5, King Abijah of Judah addresses Jeroboam and the rebellious northern tribes of Israel before a significant battle. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of God's enduring covenant with the house of David, emphasizing the divine legitimacy of Judah's kingship and the inviolable nature of God's promises.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of Abijah's impassioned speech to the armies of Jeroboam, who had led the ten northern tribes in secession from the Davidic dynasty after the reign of King Solomon. The division of the united kingdom into Judah (south, ruled by David's descendants) and Israel (north, ruled by Jeroboam) is a central theme in this period (see 1 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 10). Abijah appeals to a higher authority than human politics: God's own established order and promise to David, arguing against Jeroboam's rebellion as an act against God's divine will and the established Davidic line.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Davidic Covenant: The verse explicitly refers to God giving "the kingdom over Israel to David for ever." This points directly to the foundational covenant God made with David, promising that his throne and kingdom would be established forever through his descendants. This covenant was unconditional and eternal, signifying God's unwavering commitment to His chosen king and his lineage.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Abijah asserts that it was "the LORD God of Israel" who gave the kingdom to David. This highlights God's absolute authority and control over human affairs, including the rise and fall of kingdoms and the establishment of ruling dynasties.
  • Covenant Fidelity: The inclusion of "for ever" underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, even when human actions (like the kingdom's division) seem to contradict them. God's ultimate plan for the Davidic line would culminate in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would reign eternally.

Linguistic Insights: "A Covenant of Salt"

The phrase "a covenant of salt" (Hebrew: berith melach, בְּרִית מֶלַח) is highly significant. In the ancient Near East, salt was known for its preserving qualities and was used to purify and season food. Therefore, a "covenant of salt" symbolized an agreement that was:

  • Permanent and Indissoluble: Just as salt preserves and does not decay, the covenant was meant to endure without corruption or expiration.
  • Binding and Inviolable: It was considered a very strong and lasting agreement, often made in the presence of God or involving a shared meal where salt was present, signifying an unbreakable bond.
  • Pure and Uncorrupted: Salt's purifying properties also implied the purity and integrity of the agreement, free from deceit or alteration.

This phrase powerfully emphasizes the absolute certainty and permanence of God's promise to David, making Jeroboam's rebellion appear as a direct challenge to God's immutable word.

Practical Application and Reflection

Abijah's declaration reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness and the eternal nature of His promises. Just as God established an everlasting kingdom through David, He has provided an eternal salvation through the ultimate Son of David, Jesus Christ. For believers, this verse offers profound assurance that God's plans will always prevail, regardless of human opposition, political turmoil, or changing circumstances. It encourages trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that His covenants are unbreakable and His word stands "for ever," just like the preserving quality of salt, providing stability and hope in an ever-changing world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 18:19

    All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it [is] a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

  • Leviticus 2:13

    And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

  • Mark 9:49

    For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

  • Mark 9:50

    Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

  • 2 Samuel 7:12

    And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

  • 2 Samuel 7:16

    And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

  • 1 Kings 8:20

    And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
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