1 Chronicles 16:20

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:20 is part of a grand psalm of thanksgiving and praise delivered by King David, recited by Asaph and his brethren on the day the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:7). This specific verse, also found in Psalm 105:13, highlights God's continuous and steadfast protection over His chosen people during their early, nomadic history.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse refers to the period of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and their immediate descendants, before the Exodus and the establishment of the Israelite nation in Canaan. During these centuries, they were essentially sojourners or nomads, moving through various lands inhabited by other tribes and kingdoms, such as the Canaanites, Philistines, and Egyptians. Their existence was precarious, yet God repeatedly intervened to protect them from harm and ensure their survival. The phrase "from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people" emphasizes the extensive travel and the diverse, often hostile, environments they navigated.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Protection and Providence: The central message is God's unwavering commitment to safeguard His people. Even when vulnerable and without a settled homeland, they were under God's watchful eye, demonstrating His active providence.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: This verse underscores God's faithfulness to the covenant He made with Abraham, promising to make him a great nation and to bless his descendants (Genesis 12:2-3). Despite their wandering, God ensured the lineage remained intact and protected.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: The passage implicitly showcases God's authority over all earthly powers. He allowed His people to pass through different kingdoms, and He held those kingdoms accountable for how they treated His chosen ones (1 Chronicles 16:21).

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "nation to nation" and "kingdom to another people" (Hebrew: miggoi el goi and mimmamlachah el am acher) serves to underscore the vastness of their travels and the diverse array of peoples and rulers they encountered. It highlights the remarkable nature of God's protection across such varied and potentially dangerous territories. There isn't a single complex Hebrew word here, but the simple, direct language emphasizes the scope and extent of their journey under divine watch.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:20 offers profound encouragement. It reminds us that our lives are often a journey, moving through different seasons, challenges, and even "territories" that feel unfamiliar or hostile. Just as God protected the patriarchs during their vulnerable wanderings, He promises to be with and protect His people in every circumstance (Hebrews 13:5). This verse calls us to trust in God's unfailing providence, knowing that He is sovereign over all situations and will fulfill His purposes for us, just as He did for His ancient people.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 46:3 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 46:6 (2 votes)

    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: