One verse. Three ways to understand.
Don't you know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom of Israel to David forever, to him and his descendants through an unbreakable covenant?
The writer is reminding his audience that God made an eternal promise to David's family line to rule over Israel.
These are AI-assisted adaptations, not separate Bible editions. Compare them with the KJV source and read our methodology. How these readings are made →
Read the KJV source
King James Version · EnglishOught 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?Ask the AI Assistant
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📚 Historical Context
This verse is from a speech by Abijah, king of Judah, delivered during a battle against Jeroboam and the northern kingdom of Israel, emphasizing the legitimacy of David's dynasty. It refers to God's promise to David that his descendants would rule forever, sealed by a "covenant of salt," an ancient symbol of permanence and unbreakable agreement in Near Eastern culture. This event occurred during the divided kingdom period, about 900 years before Christ, when Israel had split from Judah after Solomon's death, leading to ongoing conflicts.