Day #128

Sermon - Audio
1 Chronicles 17 & 2 Samuel 7 - Audio
1 Chronicles 17 & 2 Samuel 7 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17

These two passages tell of God's promise to David. Since they tell the same story with much of the same language we will be commenting on 1 Chronicles 17 and noting a few of the differences between the passages.

1 Chronicles 17

• 17.1: The NIV translates the Hebrew as “palace”, in fact, the word is literally house. This puts this verse in parallel with David’s concern that God have a house just like David does.

• A Difference: 2 Samuel speaks of David receiving rest for his enemies, this is omitted by the writer of Chronicles. This omission sharpens the contrast between David as a man of war and his son Solomon as a man of peace.

• 17.2: Nathan knows that David’s heart longs to follow God, so he gives his approval to the enterprise--God however has another perspective.

• 17.3: “the word of the LORD” contrasted with Nathan’s word. The Bible is filled with moments when we are reminded that these are God’s words to us. Even Nathan’s misspoken word becomes the word of God as he seeks to teach us through all that happens.

• 17.4: These words point out that a house will be built, David’s idea is not a bad one, but the house will be built by another.

• 17.8: God is as good as his word. David has been known down through history along with the names of other powerful rulers. One might argue that David’s name is greater that all the other great leaders of his day since few if any of them are remembered or known except by a few scholars.

• 17.8: The Chronicler writes from the other side of the Babylonian exile. This verse speaks of a promise for the people who have returned that God will restore a descendent of David to the throne. This promise comes true in Jesus Christ.

• 17.10: Playing on the idea of “house” God points out that David may have a house of cedar but it is not a real house. God is about to build him a real house, a dynasty that will last.

• 17.11: NIV “When your days are over” is “when your days are fulfilled” in the esv. This translation reminds us of the words of Acts 13:36, "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption." The idea of days being fulfilled is more than death, it is of one finishing he purpose God has for him.

• 17.11: NIV “go to be with your fathers is “walk with your fathers” in the esv. This translation gives just the slightest hint of life after death.

• 17.12: The one who builds God’s house will also be built into a house by God.

• 17.13: Solomon’s other name Jedidiah, means "Beloved of Yahweh." (2 Sam. 12:24, 25).

• 17.14: These are powerful words of hope for the exiles who have come back to Judah and are suffering poverty and struggle

• A difference: The Samuel text has an additional comment in 2 Sam 7:14b. “When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love [Heb. hΩesed, “faithfulness”] will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul.” The reason for this omission by the Chronicler is probably that Solomon is pictured in a special way because it was he who would build the temple. To be sure, Solomon perpetrated some misdemeanors, but the dynasty continued. This was the important thing to the Chronicler.
• A difference: The Samuel text speaks of his house and his kingdom i.e. the house and kingdom of David, The writer of Chronicles speaks of my house and my kingdom making a reference to God. This reflects that the real kingdom belongs to God and he is the true king.

• 17.16: Sitting is not the first posture we think of when it comes to prayer, but in this moment of great amazement David sits before God.

• 17.16: David shows a proper humility before God. Paul tells us in Romans 12 that we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Humility is one of the central Christian virtues.

• 17.19: David gives us a picture of a God who does amazing good to those who serve him. It should be a reminder to us that we serve a God who deserves to be at the center of all things and yet he graciously lifts us up.

• 17.20: “we have heard with your own ears” These words are reminders that God is spoken of in Israel. His fame is spoken of from generation to generation. The reality that he is the only God is passed on from generation to generation.

• 17.21: God spreads his fame by his mighty works. One of the things that God loves is that his name is honored among the nations.

• 17.22: This recalls the Exodus where at Mt. Sinai we find the people speaking to God in a way that reflects a marriage ceremony. Part of the text in Exodus reads, Ex. 19:3 "...while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you

to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” 7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD."

• 17.24: “Established” means that God will be shown to the nations to be firm and faithful in keeping his promises.

• 17.25: David finds courage to approach God because of what he has done for him. In somewhat the same way we find courage to approach God because of what he has done for us through David’s descendent, Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews says, Heb. 4:14 "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

• 17.27: With one final word the people of the exile again have their hopes raised for better days ahead. It is God who has promised and so David’s house will be blessed forever.