1 Chronicles 17:16–27

Introduction

1 Chronicles 17:16–27: As we read yesterday, God has rejected David’s plan to build a temple in Jerusalem but promised an everlasting kingdom for David’s descendants. David goes into the Tent where the Covenant Box is and offers a prayer of thanksgiving in God’s presence. He confesses his unworthiness and praises the goodness of God, who rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and established the people in their own land. David asks God to fulfill his promise and bless his descendants.

Today’s Key Verse: Daniel 3:28a GNT

[King David said:] “LORD, there is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God.”

Read

¹⁶ Then King David went into the Tent of the LORD’s presence, sat down, and prayed, “I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, LORD God, nor is my family. ¹⁷ Yet now you are doing even more; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come, and you, LORD God, are already treating me like someone great. ¹⁸ What more can I say to you! You know me well, and yet you honor me, your servant. ¹⁹ It was your will and purpose to do this for me and to show me my future greatness. ²⁰ LORD, there is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God. ²¹ There is no other nation on earth like Israel, whom you rescued from slavery to make them your own people. The great and wonderful things you did for them spread your fame throughout the world. You rescued your people from Egypt and drove out other nations as your people advanced. ²² You have made Israel your own people forever, and you, LORD, have become their God.

²³ “And now, O LORD, fulfill for all time the promise you made about me and my descendants, and do what you said you would. ²⁴ Your fame will be great, and people will forever say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel.’ And you will preserve my dynasty for all time. ²⁵ I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, my God, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings. ²⁶ You, LORD, are God, and you have made this wonderful promise to me. ²⁷ I ask you to bless my descendants so that they will continue to enjoy your favor. You, LORD, have blessed them, and your blessing will rest on them forever.”

Reflect

How does David begin his prayer to God (verse 16)? Does this attitude of humility show up elsewhere in the prayer? What sets the LORD and Israel apart from other “gods” and other nations (verses 20–22)? What promises in Scripture can you thank God for today?

Pray

God of mercy, you give us far beyond what we deserve; your goodness never ends. We give thanks for your amazing gifts and promises. Let us trust in your unfailing word, proclaiming your love to everyone we encounter. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

1 Chronicles 22:1–19: King David commands his son Solomon to build the Temple.