1 Chronicles 16:13

O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

O ye seed {H2233} of Israel {H3478} his servant {H5650}, ye children {H1121} of Jacob {H3290}, his chosen ones {H972}.

You descendants of Isra'el his servant, you offspring of Ya'akov, his chosen ones:

O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.

O ye seed of Israel his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:13 is a powerful declaration of God's unique relationship with His chosen people, Israel, forming part of a psalm of thanksgiving delivered by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This verse serves as a direct address, reminding the Israelites of their special identity and heritage.

Context

This verse is embedded within a broader psalm of praise (1 Chronicles 16:8-36) that King David appointed Levites to sing before the Ark of the Covenant. The preceding verses call the people to remember God's marvelous works and judgments. Verse 13 specifically identifies the recipients of this divine favor, setting the stage for the recounting of God's mighty acts and His everlasting covenant with them.

Key Themes

  • Divine Election and Chosenness: The phrases "his chosen ones" and "seed of Israel his servant" unmistakably highlight that Israel's status is not self-appointed but divinely ordained. God sovereignly selected them for a unique purpose.
  • Covenant Relationship: By addressing them as "children of Jacob" and "seed of Israel," the verse directly links the current generation to the patriarchs, particularly Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), through whom God established His everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants. This relationship is foundational to their identity and inheritance.
  • Servanthood: The term "his servant" (referring to Israel collectively) implies a role of devotion, obedience, and service to God. It underscores that being chosen comes with responsibilities and a call to live in accordance with God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "chosen ones" is bachir (ื‘ึผึธื—ึดื™ืจ), which strongly conveys the idea of selection or election. It emphasizes that Israel's favored position was due to God's gracious choice, not their own merit. The phrase "seed of Israel his servant" uses zera' (ื–ึถืจึทืข) for "seed," denoting offspring or descendants, reinforcing the genealogical and covenantal lineage tracing back to Jacob, who was renamed Israel. The term 'eved (ืขึถื‘ึถื“) for "servant" signifies more than mere servitude; it often implies a devoted and faithful relationship, much like a trusted official or worshipper serving their master.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:13 offers profound insights into God's character and our own identity. While addressed to ancient Israel, the principles resonate with the New Testament understanding of the church as spiritual Israel, God's chosen people through Christ (see 1 Peter 2:9). This verse reminds us:

  • Our Identity is from God: Like Israel, our status as God's children is a result of His gracious choice, not our own efforts.
  • God's Faithfulness Endures: The emphasis on the covenant reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises across generations.
  • We Are Called to Serve: Being "chosen ones" implies a call to live as devoted servants, reflecting God's character and purposes in the world. This verse encourages us to live in gratitude and obedience, recognizing the immense privilege of being in relationship with the Almighty God.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 7:6 (2 votes)

    For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth.

  • Psalms 135:4 (2 votes)

    For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.

  • 1 Peter 2:9 (2 votes)

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Genesis 17:7 (2 votes)

    ยถ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

  • Genesis 35:10 (2 votes)

    And God said unto him, Thy name [is] Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

  • Genesis 35:12 (2 votes)

    And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

  • Exodus 19:5 (2 votes)

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: