1 Chronicles 17 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

1 Chronicles 17

The Lord’s Covenant with David

17:1 Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” 2 And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

3 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. 5 For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. 6 In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” 15 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

David’s Prayer

16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations,¹ O LORD God! 18 And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. 19 For your servant’s sake, O LORD, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. 20 There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel, the one² nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God. 23 And now, O LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, 24 and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26 And now, O LORD, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O LORD, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

Footnotes

[1] 17:17 Or and you look upon me as a man of high rank
[2] 17:21 Septuagint, Vulgate other

Commentary

v1-2: David's desire was to see God honoured. He had no plans for his own glory, 1 Sam 13.14; contrast Hag 1.4. This is a challenge to our personal priorities.

v3-6: The disappointment of God's answer. This came immediately, so that David did not build up his hopes and aspirations; although David was the man after God's heart, he still had to submit to God in all things.

v7-8: God had other blessings for David.

v9-10: God's blessing upon Israel. This reflected David's concern for his people; David would not expect God to speak only about personal blessings. God promised that Israel would be planted in their place, free from oppression, and their enemies subdued.

v11-14: God would establish the kingdom of Israel through David's son, Solomon. The promises of God are clear here;

that David's offspring would reign after him;
that his offspring's kingdom would be established;
that his offspring would build a house for God;
that there will be a father-son relationship;
that his offspring will never lose the love of God;
that he will be set over God's house and kingdom.

Although there was some fulfilment in the life of Solomon, it is clear that these words refer to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of David. Christ is called the root and offspring of David. In particular, the kingdom of God established through Christ cannot be destroyed.

v15: Nathan faithfully reported the words of God to David.

v16: David's response was in thankfulness and devotion, without a hint of grumbling. Eight times in v16-27 comes the word "O", indicating his devotion. This is indeed the prayer of the man after God's own heart.

v17: David's gratitude that God had made promises about his family. David states that he is undeserving of such blessings.

v18: God had honoured His servant, and David was grateful.

v19: God will honour His promises, which find their source in God's grace.

v20: David declares the uniqueness of God; there is none like Him.

v21-22: The people of God are also unique; the only nation that God has redeemed for Himself. Thus there is great privilege in being the people of God. Israel came into a relationship with God.

v23-24: David's prayer was that God's word would be true, and that His Name be magnified, and that his house be established, thus that the promises of God would be fulfilled. Contrast 2 Sam 23.5, "my house is not so with God".

v25-27: David brings his prayer to a conclusion, overwhelmed with thankfulness that God has plans for him, his family, and his nation. "You, O Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed for ever", compare Gen 27.33; Ps 102.26; Is 14.27.