This week’s #FaithrootsPodcast on 1 Chronicles 17.
Arks, Temples, Priests and Kings in a post exile Judah
Key dates
- 721BC fall of northern kingdom to Assyria
- 597BC exile to Babylon begins
- 587BC Jerusalem falls to Babylon/Nebuchadnezzar
- 538BC Cyrus proclamation and return from Exile begins
David’s idea (v1-2)
- Concern for the ark of the covenant
- Nathan “Whatever is in your mind do it. For God is with you.”
Nathan corrected (v3-15)
- David is not the one to build a house for the Lord (v4)
- God’s not lived in a house but has been moving from tent to tent (v5)
- God’s not asked for this (v6)
- God is the one who raised up David -from Shepherd to king (v7-8a)
- God will make David’s name great and provide a place for Israel (v8b – 10a)
- God will build a house for David (v10b)
- Offspring/succession promised (v11-14)
- one of David’s sons will build a house for the Lord.
- His throne will be established for ever
- A well-beloved son
- Eternal reign
“David’s house will be everlasting, ultimately secured in God’s love. The future of David’s kingdom would be wholly different from the uncertainty and disaster that befell Sau’s reign.”[1]
- Nathan reports to David (v15)
Key things – how does God fulfil this promise to David?
- There is fulfilment through Solomon
- Greater fulfilment in Christ
“The significance of this message for biblical thought, Judaism and Christianity can hardly be overestimated. From this time forward it will be impossible for the Messiah to be considered anything less than David’s descendent, and when Messianic thoughts are expressed, it will be most commonly in terms related to David and his family (cf. Isa 11:1-5; Jer 17:24-27; Ezek 30:20-24; Amos 9:11-12; Micah 5:2-4).”[2]
- A one way, grace-based covenant.
“Most covenants are of this form: I am the king: I have done this and that for you; so do this and that for me. Here it is: I am Yahweh of Hosts: I have been with Israel; would I ever ask anything from you?”[3]
David’s Response (v16-27)
- Humility, gratitude, trust (v16-19)
- Praise “There is no one like you (v20-22)
- Praying the promise for God’s glory (v23-27)
David recognises that this is a better thing. He does not resent God’s good gift. He expresses praise and faith.
Implications
- Theologically, the theme of promise. David as new Abraham
- Christology – the focus on Jesus
- Application to an early audience
- God has not turned his back on his promises or his people.
- Application today
- The pressure is off. It’s God who does it, God who establishes his kingdom.
- God is building his house and we are that house.
Discussion and reflection
- How do we keep grace central in the light of such promises whilst seeing the part we are called to?
- Where are these promises picked up in the New Testament?
- Listen to and meditate on the song “Build this house” by Lou Fellingham.[4]
[1] Selman, 1 Chronicles, 186.
[2] Braun, 1 Chronicles, 200.
[3] Leithart, 1 and 2 Chronicles, 62.
Faithroots 