"Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build Me a house in which to dwell. Sermons
I. MAN MAY WISH FOR SPHERES or SERVICE. God does not reproach David for wishing to build the temple. He now says, "Thou didst well that it was in thine heart." It is a good sign that we want to serve; though so often it is only a sign of our restlessness in the work we have, and our foolish fancying that some one else's work is better, or easier, or nobler than our own. Faithful doing of present duty may be quite consistent with earnest desire to do something else and better, provided it finds expression, as David's did, in patient waiting on God, and earnest prayer for Divine direction. II. MAN MAY BE UNDER DISABILITIES WHICH HINDER HIM FROM THE SPHERES HE SEEKS. Such disabilities may arise out of natural disposition and character; educational conditions; local circumstances; or, as in David's case, out of the very life-work which may be entrusted to us. When we remember how actions bear the stamp of the character of those who perform them, and men receive their impressions of the thing itself from the person who does it, we realize how God may properly refuse to permit us to do just the work we may wish to do. We need to satisfy ourselves that God knows both us and our work, and so can fitly match the two together, and keep us from unfitting spheres. III. THE GREAT SECRET OF OUR DUTY IS THE DOING WELL WHAT WE PLAINLY HAVE TO DO. Forming a very high value of our present trust. Quite sure that it is the very thing for us; and cherishing the assurance that God makes our work fit into the work that others do, and that the very thing which we would like to have done ourselves, God gets done in his own time and way, and by the agents he pleases. "One planteth, another watereth," and God gives the increase that crowns the union of various labourers and labours. We may learn: 1. The lesson of submissive obedience to the Divine appointments. 2. The importance of keeping our minds free from all envy of other workers, even of those who seem to he doing the very work which we would like to have done. 3. And to be thankful for the work that is entrusted to us; quick to discern the dignity and importance of it; and supremely anxious that we should be found of God faithful in the doing of it. - R.T.
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, NathanPlaces Egypt, JerusalemTopics Build, David, Dwell, Hast, Living-place, Says, Servant, ThusOutline 1. Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God a house3. 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 17:4 1690 word of God 5089 David, significance 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 Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. ' The Divine Jesus. Chronicles Links 1 Chronicles 17:4 NIV1 Chronicles 17:4 NLT 1 Chronicles 17:4 ESV 1 Chronicles 17:4 NASB 1 Chronicles 17:4 KJV 1 Chronicles 17:4 Bible Apps 1 Chronicles 17:4 Parallel 1 Chronicles 17:4 Biblia Paralela 1 Chronicles 17:4 Chinese Bible 1 Chronicles 17:4 French Bible 1 Chronicles 17:4 German Bible 1 Chronicles 17:4 Commentaries Bible Hub |