1 Chronicles 17

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 17

1¶ Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under curtains.

2Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that [is] in thine heart; for God [is] with thee.

3And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

4Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

5For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from [one] tabernacle [to another].

6Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

7Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, [even] from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

8And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that [are] in the earth.

9Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

10And since the time that I commanded judges [to be] over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

11And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go [to be] with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

12He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

13I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took [it] from [him] that was before thee:

14But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

15According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

16¶ And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who [am] I, O LORD God, and what [is] mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

17And [yet] this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast [also] spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

18What can David [speak] more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

19O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all [these] great things.

20O LORD, [there is] none like thee, neither [is there any] God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

21And what one nation in the earth [is] like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem [to be] his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

22For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

23Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

24Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts [is] the God of Israel, [even] a God to Israel: and [let] the house of David thy servant [be] established before thee.

25For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found [in his heart] to pray before thee.

26And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

27Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and [it shall be] blessed for ever.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King David expresses his desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, but God, through Nathan the prophet, reveals that David will not build it. Instead, God promises to build David an enduring "house," establishing his dynasty and an eternal kingdom through his offspring. David responds with a prayer of humble gratitude and petitions God to confirm His promises.

Medium Summary

King David, observing his dwelling in a house of cedars while the Ark of the Covenant remained under curtains, expresses to Nathan the prophet his desire to build a permanent house for the Lord. Nathan initially encourages David, but that night God speaks to Nathan, clarifying that David is not the one to build His house. God reminds David of His past providence, taking him from tending sheep to ruling Israel, and promises to establish Israel in their land and subdue their enemies. Crucially, God declares He will build David an "house," signifying an enduring dynasty, and promises that David's son will build the temple and have his throne established forever. God further covenants to be a father to David's son and not withdraw His mercy. In response, David offers a profound prayer of humility, acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness, and petitions for the eternal establishment of God's promises concerning his house and kingdom.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with King David expressing his desire to build a magnificent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, noting his own dwelling in a house of cedars while the Ark resided in a tent. Nathan the prophet initially encourages David's pious intention, believing God is with him. However, that same night, the word of the Lord comes to Nathan, instructing him to inform David that he will not be the one to build God a permanent dwelling. God explains that He has not dwelt in a house since bringing Israel out of Egypt, but has moved from tent to tent, and never commanded any judge to build Him a house of cedars. Instead, God reminds David of His divine election and past blessings: taking him from a shepherd to ruler, being with him in all his ways, cutting off his enemies, and making his name great. The Lord then promises to establish a secure place for Israel, where they will no longer be afflicted by the wicked. Furthermore, God declares His intention to build David an "house," which is revealed to be an enduring dynasty, not a physical structure. God promises that when David's days are expired, He will raise up David's own son, who will build the temple for the Lord. This son's kingdom will be established, and God will maintain a father-son relationship with him, not withdrawing His mercy as He did from Saul. The divine promise culminates in the assurance that David's house and kingdom will be settled and established forever before God. Nathan faithfully relays all these words and the vision to David. David then enters and sits before the Lord, offering a heartfelt prayer of humility and thanksgiving. He marvels at God's condescension in bringing him to such a position and speaking of his house for a great while to come. David praises God's unparalleled greatness and uniqueness, acknowledging that there is no God like Him. He further extols God for redeeming Israel to be His own people and making His name great. Concluding his prayer, David earnestly petitions God to confirm and establish forever the promises made concerning his house and kingdom, so that God's name may be magnified eternally.

Core Concepts

  • David's Desire to Build God a HouseKing David expresses a pious wish to construct a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, feeling it inappropriate for him to dwell in a cedar palace while God's presence remained in a tent. This desire reflects his devotion and reverence for the Lord.
  • God's Refusal and RedirectionThe Lord, through Nathan, declines David's offer to build Him a temple, stating that He has always dwelt in tents and never commanded a permanent structure. This redirection emphasizes God's sovereignty and His own plan for a dwelling place.
  • The Davidic Covenant (God's Promise to David)Instead of David building God a house, God promises to build David an "house," signifying an enduring dynasty and an eternal kingdom. This covenant includes promises of an established place for Israel, the subduing of enemies, and an eternal throne for David's offspring.
  • The Eternal KingdomA key aspect of God's promise is the establishment of David's throne and kingdom forever through his son. This foretells a perpetual lineage and a lasting reign, pointing towards a future, enduring messianic rule.
  • Divine FatherhoodGod declares, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son," referring to David's offspring. This signifies a special, intimate, and protective relationship between God and the Davidic line, ensuring His continued mercy and support.
  • David's Humble PrayerUpon receiving God's extraordinary promises, David responds with a prayer characterized by profound humility, gratitude, and awe. He acknowledges his unworthiness and God's immense grace in bestowing such blessings upon him and his descendants.
  • Establishment of God's NameDavid's prayer concludes with a petition for God to establish His promises, not only for his house but also so that God's name may be magnified forever. This highlights the ultimate purpose of the covenant: the glorification of the Lord.