1 Chronicles 17

1 Chronicles 17:1

C. David’s Desire to Build the Temple and God’s Response (Chap. 17)Chapter 17 is divided into three parts: David’s desire to build God a house (vv. 1, 2), God’s determination to build David a house (vv. 3-15), and David’s responsive prayer (vv. 16-27). Second Samuel 7 is the parallel passage. 17:1-4 David told Nathan the prophet that he was unhappy to be living in a luxurious home while the ark of the covenant was in a tent. His desire to build a house for the LORD met with Nathan’s hasty approval. But then the Lord corrected Nathan: David was not the man chosen for this task. 17:5, 6 The ark of God had never been in a permanent house, but in a tent. Neither had God commanded that such a house be built up to this time. David later revealed to his son, Solomon, a fact not mentioned here: He was disqualified from building the temple because he had been involved in so much bloodshed and violence (1Ch_22:7-8). It was left for his son, “a man of rest” (1Ch_22:9), to bring the ark of the Lord to its rest. 17:7-15 As God had spoken in grace to the patriarchs in the past, so now He singles out Israel’s shepherd-king for unmerited blessing. These unconditional promises are known as the Davidic Covenant. 2Sa_7:12-16 and Psalms 89 also record the covenant. Walvoord summarizes its provisions: The provisions of the Davidic covenant include . . . the following: (1) David is to have a child, yet to be born, who shall succeed him and establish his kingdom. (2) This son (Solomon) shall build the temple instead of David. (3) The throne of his kingdom shall be established forever. (4) The throne will not be taken away from him (Solomon) even though his sins justify chastisement. (5) David’s house, throne, and kingdom shall be established forever. This covenant, like the other unconditional covenants God made, plays an important part in His dealings with mankind. It is mentioned in several other places in Scripture (e.g., Isa. 9; Jer. 23, 33; Ezek. 37; Zech. 14). It will find its complete and total fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belong the throne and the kingdom forever. 17:16-27 Upon hearing these things, David went before the LORD and poured out his heart in believing prayer. His response to God shows two of David’s outstanding traits: humility and trust in the Lord. Verses 16 and 17 inspired the former slave-trader and later preacher of the gospel, John Newton, to write his famous spiritual song, “Amazing Grace.” Like David he saw his own unworthiness and smallness exalted by God’s truly amazing grace.