1 Chronicles 17:1-15--The LORD's Covenant with David

1 Chronicles 17:1-15
English Standard Version

The LORD's Covenant with David
17 Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” 2 And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

​3 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. 5 For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. 6 In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” 15 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

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One of the great covenants of all time--the Davidic Covenant!  David sought to build a house for the LORD that would be more magnificent that any palace (paneled house in the original language) that any of the rich or famous people lived in, for the LORD was greater, richer, and should be more famous than them all.  At first the prophet Nathan told David that the LORD was with him in this desire without inquiring of the LORD first, but then the LORD appeared to Nathan in a dream that night and told him that it was not for David to build His Temple, but for David's son Solomon.  Solomon would not be a man of war like David.  He would have clean hands and could build this house of worship and prayer, but that wouldn't stop David from gathering all the materials and making all the preparations he could--hiring skilled workers and speaking to the kings of foreign lands to get their assistance with manpower and resources--like cedar from Lebanon.

However, the greatest part of this covenant is that David would never cease to have a descendant on the throne until Messiah came--he would be the Son of David and His Kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom.  He would be the last and greatest King of the Jews--the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  This was the charge that Pilate put above Jesus' head--"Jesus, the King of the Jews."

There is also a promise of a time and place where there will be perfect peace (the Millennial Reign of Christ and the time of the New Jerusalem).  Israel and all of God's people will be safe in the Land He has promised to them--oh how fitting a promise that is today when Israel is being attacked from enemies on all sides this very day that I write this!  Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus--the Prince of Peace.  Come and have your people Israel welcome you as their Savior and King!