1 Chronicles 17:1–15

Introduction

1 Chronicles 17:1–15: Now that the Covenant Box has been moved to Jerusalem (see yesterday’s reading), King David has the idea to build a temple for it. The prophet Nathan first encourages David, but God then gives Nathan a message to deliver: David should not build a temple. God did not ask for this and has always lived in tents, moving with the people since the first days of the Covenant Box. But God also promises David a line and kingdom that will last forever, adding that one of David’s sons will build the temple.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 17:14 GNT

[The LORD said:] “‘I will put him in charge of my people and my kingdom forever. His dynasty will never end.’”

Read

¹ King David was now living in his palace. One day he sent for the prophet Nathan and said to him, “Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but the LORD’s Covenant Box is kept in a tent!”

² Nathan answered, “Do whatever you have in mind, because God is with you.”

³ But that night God said to Nathan, ⁴ “Go and tell my servant David that I say to him, ‘You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in. ⁵ From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now I have never lived in a temple; I have always lived in tents and moved from place to place. ⁶ In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.’

⁷ “So tell my servant David that I, the LORD Almighty, say to him, ‘I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel. ⁸ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world. ^9-10 I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to defeat all your enemies and to give you descendants. ¹¹ When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong. ¹² He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever. ¹³ I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king. ¹⁴ I will put him in charge of my people and my kingdom forever. His dynasty will never end.’”

¹⁵ Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.

Reflect

Why does David think he must build a temple for the Covenant Box (verse 1)? Why does God reject this plan (verses 5–6)? Reread verses 7–14. What has God done for David already? What things does he promise to do for him still? Can you think of other stories where God has declined honors that people wanted to give him? Have you faced situations where the “natural” or “obvious” way to serve God was not what God was calling you to do?

Pray

Lord God, you see all things; you know what is truly good. Help us to be humble and obedient, testing our own ideas by your wisdom and in all things following your will. As we remember what you have done for us, let us honor you by our actions today. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

1 Chronicles 17:16–27: David offers a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s promise.