Introduction
1 Chronicles 17:1–15: David desires to build a “house” (temple) in which to place the Covenant Box, and the prophet Nathan delivers God’s response.
Today’s Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 17:9a
[The LORD said]: “I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed anymore.”
Reading
17 King David was now living in his palace. One day he sent for the prophet Nathan and said to him, “Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but the Lord’s Covenant Box is kept in a tent!”
2 Nathan answered, “Do whatever you have in mind, because God is with you.”
3 But that night God said to Nathan, 4 “Go and tell my servant David that I say to him, ‘You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in. 5 From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now I have never lived in a temple; I have always lived in tents and moved from place to place. 6 In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.’
7 “So tell my servant David that I, the Lord Almighty, say to him, ‘I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world. 9-10 I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to defeat all your enemies and to give you descendants. 11 When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong. 12 He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king. 14 I will put him in charge of my people and my kingdom forever. His dynasty will never end.’”
15 Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.
Reflect
This passage includes a play on the word “house” which can refer to the house (temple) that David wants to build, or to a dynasty of David’s descendants. What message does the prophet Nathan bring to David? What does God promise? Read verses 13–14 again. In what ways does God keep this promise (Acts 13:22–23 is one place to start)?
Pray
God of promise, I know I belong to you. Rule in my heart forever. I long to serve you, and I glorify your holy name. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
1 Chronicles 17:16–27: David offers a prayer of thanksgiving.
