1 Chronicles 17
2 Samuel 17 begins with the event in which King David moved the ark of God to Jerusalem, then, while staying in his palace, formed the desire to build a temple for God. This chapter can be divided into two major parts. First (verses 1–15) records David’s longing to build the temple and the Davidic covenant that God gives through the prophet Nathan. Second (verses 16–27) contains David’s prayer of thanksgiving and humility before God in light of the covenant he has received.
1verseWhen David was living in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I live in a cedar house, but the ark of the LORD’s covenant is in a tent.”
2verseNathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you.”
3verseThat same night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
4verse“Go and tell David my servant, ‘The LORD says, “You shall not build me a house to dwell in;
5versefor I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tent to another.
6verseIn all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’
7verse“Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, ‘The LORD of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel.
8verseI have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
9verseI will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not waste them any more, as at the first,
10verseand from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that the LORD will build you a house.
11verseIt will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your offspring after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12verseHe will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.
13verseI will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not take my loving kindness away from him, as I took it from him who was before you;
14versebut I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.”’”
15verseAccording to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
16verseThen David the king went in and sat before the LORD; and he said, “Who am I, LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?
17verseThis was a small thing in your eyes, O God, but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, LORD God.
18verseWhat can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant.
19verseLORD, for your servant’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, to make known all these great things.
20verseLORD, there is no one like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
21verseWhat one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people whom you redeemed out of Egypt?
22verseFor you made your people Israel your own people forever; and you, LORD, became their God.
23verseNow, LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken.
24verseLet your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’
25verseFor you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you.
26verseNow, LORD, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant.
27verseNow it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, LORD, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”
Key Content of This Chapter
- David’s plan (verses 1–2): David, knowing that he lives in a house of cedar while the ark of God remains in the tent of meeting, is troubled and wants to build a temple.
- God’s response (verses 3–15): God tells the prophet Nathan that although David will not personally build the temple, David’s offspring will. He also delivers the astonishing covenant that David’s throne and the nation will endure forever.
- David’s prayer (verses 16–27): Overwhelmed by God’s grace, David praises God, who remembers him and Israel. He also asks that the promised blessings and the permanence of the house (the royal line and the kingdom) be fulfilled.
The Meaning and Message of the Whole Chapter
This chapter shows that it is not about human zeal and good intentions to do something for God (building a temple). Instead, it reveals that God has chosen His own method and timing. Even though the plan for the temple was not accepted for David, God grants David and his descendants a greater and everlasting covenant (the Davidic covenant). This displays how His sovereignty and plan are far greater and deeper than human thoughts.
Meditation Points
- Let’s reflect on whether, even when it concerns my good intentions and plans, I respond sensitively to God’s will and timing.
- Let’s believe that blessings and promises, which come unexpectedly as God’s will is realized through the process of obedience, are also present in our lives.
How to Apply to Me
- When the desire and plan I want to offer to God are rejected or delayed, let’s trust that, within that situation, God has an even greater and better plan hidden there.
- As we stand before God’s promise received during prayer, let’s practice the attitude of giving thanks like David and praying with patience so that the promise will be fulfilled in my life.
