1 Chronicles 17:3














Shalt thou build me a house for me to dwell in? On reflection, the prophet, perhaps, felt some misgiving as to the wisdom of the counsel he had given to the king; and (in prayer) the same night (before any steps could be taken to carry it into effect) he received a Divine communication which he faithfully announced. The chief significance of this communication lies in the promise it contained with respect to "the house of David." But it was primarily and directly a prohibition of the king's resolve. "Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in" (1 Chronicles 17:4). The purpose of a good man is often "broken off" (Job 17:11; Job 29:18); not always, however, because of the clearer knowledge of the mind of God vouchsafed to him, but more commonly because of the difficulty and opposition he meets with in seeking its accomplishment, and his inability to overcome them. Of the purpose of David (as illustrative of that of others) observe that —

I. ALTHOUGH FORBIDDEN IT WAS NOT ALTOGETHER DISAPPROVED. "Thou didst well that it was in thine heart" (1 Kings 8:18); spoken of:

1. The spirit, in which his purpose was formed - grateful devotion and sincere desire of honourmg God and benefiting men. This is always the chief thing "in the sight of God, who searches the heart."

2. And the object toward which it was directed. It was not in itself displeasing to God, but received his sanction (Deuteronomy 12:10, 11; ver. 13). Yet:

3. How seldom is a human purpose, though in the main good, entirely unmingled with human imperfection! The language in which the purpose of David was forbidden seems to indicate that "his generous impulse was outrunning God's commandment, and that his ardour to serve was in some danger of forgetting his entire dependence on God, and of fancying that God would be the better for him" (A. Maclaren).

II. IT WAS NOT FORBIDDEN WITHOUT SUFFICIENT REASON (vers. 7, 8), viz.:

1. The dealings of God with his people in past time; showing that it was his pleasure that his dwelling place should be adapted to their unsettled condition; and that "a house of cedar" was not indispensable to his presence and blessing. He was satisfied to share their wanderings.

2. The absence of a Divine direction to build a permanent house. "It was not because of any negligence on the part of the former leaders of the people that they had not thought of erecting a temple" (Keil). Until the "word" should be spoken, no one might enter upon such an undertaking.

3. The unsuitableness of the present time - the still disturbed and warlike state of the kingdom (ver. 11). "Inasmuch as these wars were necessary and inevitable, they were practical proofs that David's kingdom and government were not yet established; and therefore that the time for the building of the temple had not yet come, and the rest of peace was not yet secured."

4. The incongruity of his career with the nature and design of the building. An abode of peace should be erected by a man of peace. "Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars; thou shalt not build a house to my Name," etc, (1 Chronicles 22:8; 1 Chronicles 28:3; 1 Kings 5:3). "From whence could so sublime a precept descend, amidst a people constituted as the Jews were, unless from the Father of love and mercy?' (Milman). "War, however necessary it may be in certain circumstances for the kingdom of God, is only something accidental, the result of human corruption. The true nature of the kingdom of God is peace" (Hengstenberg). Still other reasons appear in what was promised to David (vers. 11, 12), without which the accomplishment of what he purposed in his heart was impossible.

III. IT WAS FORBIDDEN IN THE MOST GRACIOUS MANNER, (Vers. 8-11.) For God:

1. Assured him of the regard in which he was held by him. "David is here called God's servant, who is King of kings - the fairest flower in any king's crown, and highest title he can claim" (Guild).

2. Reminded him of the great things which he had already done for him; and which were an earnest of "still greater things than these" (Psalm 78:70-72).

3. Informed him of the safety and stability, the peace and prosperity, which (in continuance of his former mercies) he was about to grant to his people under his rule.

4. Promised to him rest from all his enemies, and an enduring dynasty (ch. 1:1, 2), "Jehovah telleth thee that Jehovah will make thee a house" (Psalm 132:11). What an abundant compensation was thus afforded for any disappointment that might be at first experienced! "Our own plans, though well intended, are often fit for nothing but to be laid aside to make way for the Lord's purposes respecting us, of which perhaps we had no conception" (Scott).

IV. IT WAS FORBIDDEN ONLY THAT IT MIGHT BE MORE EFFECTUALLY FULFILLED. (Vers. 12, 13.) "'Thou shalt not build a house for me' (vers. 5-7); but I, who have from the beginning till now glorified myself in thee and my people (vers. 8-11), will build a house for thee (ver. 11); and then thy son shall erect a house for me" (Thenius).

1. The purpose of man depends for its fulfilment upon the purpose of God.

2. The purpose which one man is unable to accomplish is often wrought out by another, who comes after him, under more favourable circumstances.

3. Although the former is not permitted to see the execution of his purpose, he may contribute greatly towards it, and does not go unrewarded.

4. Many a seeming failure is a real and glorious success; and "heaven is made for those who fail in this world." - D.

Therefore now, Lord, let the thing that Thou hast spoken concerning Thy servant.
It is —

I. GROUNDED ON GOD'S PROMISE.

II. IT REGARDS GOD'S HONOUR SOLELY (ver. 24).

III. IT ASCRIBES ALL TO GOD'S FREE GRACE.

IV. IT APPEALS TO GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.

V. IT RECEIVES THE FULNESS OF GOD'S BLESSING.

(J. Wolfendale.)

That Thou wilt build him an house
I. THEY WHO HAVE CHARGE OF FAMILIES SHOULD CHERISH AN EARNEST REGARD FOR THEIR WELFARE.

II. Those who have the care of families should make it their chief anxiety TO IMPART TO THEM RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. Seeking their spiritual welfare we shall —

1. Strive to be the means of their conversion to God.

2. This we should do because converted families are scenes of harmony and love.

3. This only can impart abiding consolation under bereaving providences.

4. It will be thus we shall provide the means in our religious households of future usefulness to the Church and the world.

(W. G. Barrett.)

People
David, Israelites, Nathan
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem
Topics
Nathan, Pass, Saying
Outline
1. Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God a house
3. after by the word of God forbids him
11. He promises him blessings and benefits in his seed
16. David's prayer and thanksgiving

Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 17:1-6

     5089   David, significance
     7306   ark of the covenant

Library
Amasiah
'Amasiah, the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord.'--1 CHRON. xvii, 16. This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphat's 'mighty men of valour'; and is Amasiah's sole record. We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up. We do not know what it was that he did to earn it. But what a fate, to live to all generations by that one sentence! I. Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion. The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Divine Jesus.
Jehovah-Jesus: John 1:1-18. the intimacy of John, John 13:23. 19:26. 20:2. 21:7, 20. "with Jesus," John 18:15.--John writes of Jesus--- when he wrote--getting the range--his literary style--the beginning--the Word--this was Jesus--the tragic tone. God's Spokesman: the Creator was Jehovah--- Jehovah is Jesus--the Spokesman--Old Testament revelations, Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the elders of Israel, Isaiah, Ezekiel,--Whom these saw--various ways of speaking--John's Gospel
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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