I Chronicles 17
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Now it came to pass - See every thing recorded in this chapter amply detailed in the notes on Sa2 7:1 (note), etc.
Open source ↗DAVID FORBIDDEN TO BUILD GOD A HOUSE. (Ch1 17:1-10) as David sat in his house--The details of this chapter were given in nearly similar terms (2Sa. 7:1-29). The date was towards the latter end of David's reign, for it is expressly said in the former book to have been at the cessation of all his wars. But as to narrate the preparations for the removal of the ark and the erection of the temple was the principal object of the historian, the exact chronology is not followed.
Open source ↗See Chapter Introduction Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 18
Open source ↗See Chapter Introduction Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 18
Open source ↗Let us observe here, I. How desirous and solicitous good people should be to serve the interests of God's kingdom in the world, to the utmost of their capacity. David could not be easy in a house of cedar while the ark was lodged within curtains, Ch1 17:1. The concerns of the public should always be near our hearts. What pleasure can we take in our own prosperity if we see not the good of Jerusalem? When David is advanced to wealth and power see what his cares and projects are. Not, "What shall I do for my children to get portions for them? What shall I do to fill my coffers and enlarge my dominions?" But, "What shall I do for God, to serve and honour him?" Those that are contriving where to bestow their fruits and their good would do well to enquire what condition the ark is in, and whether some may not be well bestowed upon it. II. How ready God's prophets should be to encourage every good purpose. Nathan was no sooner aware of David's good design than he bade him go and do all that was within his heart (Ch1 17:2), for he had no reason to doubt but that God was with him in it. Ministers should stir up the gifts and graces that are in others as well as in themselves. III. How little God affects external pomp and splendour in his service. His ark was content with a tabernacle (Ch1 17:5) and he never so much as mentioned the building of a house for it; no, not when he had fixed his people in great and goodly cities which they builded not, Deu 6:10. He commanded the judges to feed his people, but never bade them build him a house, Ch1 17:6. We may well be content awhile with mean accommodations; God's ark was so. IV. How graciously God accepts his people's good purposes, yea, though he himself prevents the performance of them. David must not build this house, Ch1 17:4. He…
Open source ↗17:1-27 The larger section (13:1–17:27) concludes with Nathan’s prophecy about David and David’s prayer of thanks. 17:1-15 David wanted to build a home for the Ark that would equal his own palace, but the Lord designated David’s heir, Solomon (ch 22), to build the Temple. Jerusalem was to be the single place of worship for all Israel.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous)
Open source ↗נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;…
Open source ↗הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) נָוֶה (nâveh, H5116) — (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home,… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil בָּלָה (bâlâh, H1086) — to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt until this day, but I have moved from tent to tent and dwelling to dwelling.
You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.
until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
So they brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.
“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”
And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule.
and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him.