GOD PROMISES TO BUILD DAVID’S HOUSE
1 Chronicles 17:1-15
I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.’ ” (14)
chapter 17
1. After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent."
2. Nathan replied to David, "Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you."
3. But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:
4. "Go and tell my servant David, ’This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.
5. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another.
6. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"’
7. "Now then, tell my servant David, ’This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.
8. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth.
9. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning
10. and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. "’I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you:
11. When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.
12. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.
13. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor.
14. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.’"
15. Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.
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1. David was sorry that he lived in a palace while the ark of God was in a tent. So, he wanted to build a house for God. Knowing David’s desire, Nathan the prophet thought that God would bless whatever David wanted to do. But, God sent this word: David was not the one to build the house for God. More than 400 years earlier, when the Israelites were in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to build a tent of meeting according to God’s detailed design, fit for people on the move. Not once did God ask for a house.
2. God was pleased with David and promised to build David a house. His descendants would sit on the throne forever. Especially, God promised to take one of the offspring in the line of David and establish him as the King, and his Kingdom would be eternal. The promise looks forward to the Messiah: Jesus, the King of an eternal Kingdom.
3. In his love for God, David desired to build a temple. And in his love for David, God promised David to establish an eternal kingdom through his line. God honors those who love and honor him.
Prayer: Lord, help me have such a beautiful love relationship with you.
One Word: God loves us; we love God