3 But that night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 "Go and tell my servant David, This is God's word on the matter: You will not build me a 'house' to live in. 5 Why, I haven't lived in a 'house' from the time I brought up the children of Israel from Egypt till now; I've gone from one tent and makeshift shelter to another. 6 In all my travels with all Israel, did I ever say to any of the leaders I commanded to shepherd Israel, 'Why haven't you built me a house of cedar?' 7 "So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The God-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel. 8 I was with you everywhere you went and mowed your enemies down before you; and now I'm about to make you famous, ranked with the great names on earth. 9 I'm going to set aside a place for my people Israel and plant them there so they'll have their own home and not be knocked around anymore; nor will evil nations afflict them as they always have, 10 even during the days I set judges over my people Israel. And finally, I'm going to conquer all your enemies. 11 When your life is complete and you're buried with your ancestors, then I'll raise up your child to succeed you, a child from your own body, and I'll firmly establish his rule. 12 He will build a house to honor me, and I will guarantee his kingdom's rule forever. 13 I'll be a father to him, and he'll be a son to me. I will never remove my gracious love from him as I did from the one who preceded you. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will always be there, rock solid." 15 Nathan gave David a complete and accurate report of everything he heard and saw in the vision.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 17:3-15
Chapter Contents
David's purposes; God's gracious promises.
This chapter is the same as Isaiah 42:1; and it is for his sake, upon account of his mediation, that the promises are made good to all believers; it is in him, that they are yea and amen. For His sake it is done, for his sake it is made known; to him we owe all this greatness, from him we are to expect all these great things. They are the unsearchable riches of Christ, which, if by faith we see in themselves, and see in the Lord Jesus, we cannot but magnify as the only true greatness, and speak honourably of them. For this blessedness may we look amidst the trials of life, and when we feel the hand of death upon us; and seek it for our children after us.