Ch. 1 Chronicles 17:1-27 (= 2 Samuel 7:1-29). God’s Answer to David’s expressed desire to build a Temple. David’s Thanks-giving

This passage is a reproduction with some omissions (cp. 1 Chronicles 17:1; 1 Chronicles 17:5; 1 Chronicles 17:12-13; 1 Chronicles 17:27) and variations (cp. 1 Chronicles 17:5-6; 1 Chronicles 17:9-11; 1 Chronicles 17:14; 1 Chronicles 17:17-19; 1 Chronicles 17:23; 1 Chronicles 17:27) of 2 Samuel 7. The text Is generally smoother in Chron., and in some cases (e.g. in 1 Chronicles 17:21) we cannot doubt that the Chronicler has emended the earlier text. Some variations given in the A.V. are not found in the Heb. text. Such variations are corrected in the R.V.

1. as David sat] R.V. when David dwelt.

in his house] Samuel adds, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies. The Chronicler omits these words probably because his next three chapters (18–20) are devoted to wars (cp. 2 Samuel 8, 10).

of cedars] R.V. of cedar (as Sam.).

the ark of the covenant] So called because it contained the two tables of the covenant, 1 Kings 8:9.

remaineth] R.V. dwelleth (as Sam.).

2. in thine heart] The heart according to Heb. thought is the seat of intention and purpose.

3. the same night] Genesis 20:3; 1 Samuel 3:2-3; 1 Kings 3:5; Job 4:12-13.

5. I brought up Israel] i.e. out of Egypt (so Sam.).

but have gone from tent to tent and from one tabernacle to another] Sam. but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. The Heb. text of Chron. defies translation; that of Sam. is better.

6. the judges] A better reading than the tribes (Sam.).

of cedars] R.V. of cedar; cp. 1 Chronicles 17:1.

7. sheepcote] Better as R.V. mg. pasture.

ruler] R.V. prince. Cp. 1 Chronicles 5:2, note.

8. thou hast walked] R.V. thou wentest (as Sam.).

and have made thee] R.V. and I will make thee.

9. Also I will ordain … and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved … as at the beginning] R.V. And I will appoint … that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved … as at the first.

waste them] Sam. afflict them.

10. and since the time … Israel. Moreover … Furthermore …] R.V. and as from the day … Israel; and … Moreover …

subdue all thine enemies] Sam. (R.V.) cause thee to rest from all thine enemies.

build thee a house] Sam. make thee an house, the house meant being a dynasty, and not a building.

11. be expired] R.V. be fulfilled, as Sam.

that thou must go to be with] Sam. and thou shalt sleep with.

which shall be of thy sons] Sam. which shall proceed out of thy bowels.

12. me a house] Sam. an house for my name.

13. my son] Here Sam. adds, If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men.

as I took it from him that was before thee] Sam. as I took it from Saul whom I put away before thee.

14. I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever] Sam. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee.

in mine house] Numbers 12:7; cp. 1 Timothy 3:15.

16. And … came] R.V. Then … went in (as Sam.), i.e. into the tent which he had pitched for the ark; 1 Chronicles 16:1.

sat before the Lord] So LXX. and 2 Samuel 7:18. The Targ. rightly paraphrases, “and tarried in prayer before Jehovah.” The same use of the verb “sit” to imply continuance is found in the Creeds; in which it is said that Christ “sitteth” on the right hand of the Father.

hitherto] R.V. thus far.

17. and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree] Better as in 2 Samuel 7:19, and this too after the manner of men (an exclamation). The Heb. phrase is not quite the same in the two passages, and there is nothing in Sam. corresponding with the words of high degree, but the text of Chron. seems to be derived from that of Sam. David says that God deals with him with the sympathy with which one man might deal with another. No satisfactory translation or explanation has yet been given of the Heb. word translated of high degree.

18. speak more] R.V. say yet more.

for the honour of thy servant] R.V. concerning the honour which is done to thy servant. Samuel omits these words.

thou knowest thy servant] Approvest, acceptest; cp. Psalm 1:6; Psalm 101:4; Jeremiah 1:5.

19. for thy servant’s sake] 2 Samuel 7:21, for thy word’s sake, a better reading.

21. what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel] Better as R.V. mg., who is like thy people Israel, a nation that is alone in the earth. Cp. Targ. a people unique and chosen in the earth.

of greatness and terribleness] R.V. by great and terrible things.

23. let the thing … be established] Lit. let the word … be made Amen (i.e. “sure.”)

24. Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified] Render with R.V. mg. Yea, let it be established, and let thy name be magnified.

25. hast told] R.V. hast revealed to, it., hast uncovered the ear of.

hath … found … to pray] i.e. hath found words and courage to pray.

26. this goodness] R.V. this good thing.

27. now therefore let it please thee … that it may be … it shall be blessed] R.V. and now it hath pleased thee … that it may continue … it is blessed.

thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed] 2 Samuel 7:29, thou, O Lard God, hast spoken it; and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.