How does 1 Chronicles 17:20 support monotheism? Text “‘O LORD, there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to all we have heard with our ears.’ ” (1 Chronicles 17:20) Immediate Literary Setting David has just received the divine promise of an everlasting dynasty (vv. 7-14). His response is a prayer of awe. Verse 20 functions as the theological climax: the Davidic king publicly confesses Yahweh’s absolute uniqueness. The setting is covenantal; monotheism undergirds the promise because only the one true God can guarantee an eternal throne. Canonical Support for Monotheism Chronicles echoes the canonical chorus: Deuteronomy 6:4; Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 45:5-6; 1 Kings 8:60. By employing identical vocabulary, the Chronicler links David’s confession to Israel’s foundational Shema (“Hear, O Israel… the LORD is one”). Monotheism is therefore not a late theological development but a consistent, inter-textual assertion. Comparative Ancient Near Eastern Context Neighboring cultures affirmed tiered pantheons (e.g., Ugaritic texts list El, Baal, Asherah). In stark contrast, Israel’s Scriptures deny the ontological reality of other gods, relegating them to idols (Psalm 96:5). Archaeological finds corroborate Israel’s counter-cultural stance: • The Ketef Hinnom silver amulets (7th c. BC) quote Numbers 6:24-26, testifying to exclusive Yahweh devotion decades before the exile. • The Tel Dan Stele references the “House of David,” anchoring David’s dynasty in real history and validating the prayer context of 1 Chron 17. • The Mesha Stele (9th c. BC) contrasts Chemosh with Yahweh, showing Israel’s distinct god-concept amid polytheism. Theological Implications a) Exclusivity: Only one Being qualifies as “God.” b) Transcendence: Yahweh is incomparable; He is not part of nature but its Author (Genesis 1:1). c) Covenant Certainty: An absolute God secures absolute promises (Hebrews 6:13). d) Christological Fulfillment: The NT applies the “no other God” theme to the Father and the risen Son within one divine identity (1 Corinthians 8:4-6; John 1:1; 10:30), preserving monotheism while unveiling Trinitarian persons. Answering Common Objections • “Henotheism?” The verse excludes “any other god,” not merely prioritizes Yahweh. • “Use of plural ‘Elohim’?” Hebrew plural of majesty; singular verbs govern the noun here and throughout the passage. • “Later redaction?” The same wording appears in the early 2 Samuel 7:22 source, predating exile, undermining the “post-exilic invention” hypothesis. Practical Applications Because God alone is God: • Worship must be undivided (Matthew 4:10). • Salvation is found exclusively in His revealed Messiah (Acts 4:12). • Life’s purpose is to glorify the incomparable LORD (1 Corinthians 10:31). Summary 1 Chronicles 17:20 fortifies biblical monotheism by emphatically denying the existence of any deity besides Yahweh, situating that confession within historical covenant, corroborated by manuscript integrity and archaeological data, and extending seamlessly into New Testament, Christ-centered faith. |
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