Journal Through the Bible: Week 90 Thursday

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I Chronicles chapter 17

King David was concerned that he lived in a nice house while the Ark of the Covenant was situated in a tabernacle made of curtains. The plan that David proposed sounded reasonable to the prophet Nathan. Then Nathan heard from the LORD. Even though the LORD had not told them to build Him a house the idea was a good one, but the timing was wrong.

When David received word from God that his throne would be established forever he reacted in great humility. "Who am I that thou hast brought me to this?" Such was the reaction of David's descendant, Mary, when she received word that she had been chosen by God to carry the Eternal Sovereign in her womb. They were both humble people who were exalted by God for His own glory. Both David and Mary then began to worship their God by praising Him! Notice that they told Him how great He is and not how great and deserving they were! (See David's psalm of praise in verses 16-27 and Mary's psalm of praise in Luke 2:46-55.)

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded Nathan the prophet to tell David that he would not be allowed to build a permanent house for the Ark.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised to build David a house and a dynasty that will last forever. 
• God promised David that his son would build Him a house. (This was a two-fold promise. Solomon was the fulfillment as the son that built the house, or Temple, in Jerusalem. Jesus is also the fulfillment of the Son that built the eternal House, Temple, and Throne through the line of David.)
• God promised that He would not remove His mercy from David's line as He had Saul's family.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• God took a humble shepherd and made him one of the greatest men on the earth. God took the greatest Man on the earth and made Him a humble Shepherd.
• Jesus is the manifestation of the everlasting house and dynasty of David. When He ascends His throne and rules on the earth the promise to David of an everlasting kingdom (verse14) will be fulfilled.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• God promised David that He would plant His people in a permanent dwelling place and they would never be moved, nor would the children of wickedness waste them ever again. This is a future prophecy. The Children of Israel have been removed from the land many times between then and now and wicked men throughout the ages have oppressed them continuously. The day is coming when God's people will be placed in their permanent dwelling place, Immanuel will live with them (us), and the wicked will never again be able to bother God's people.
• Jesus will one day be revealed to all the world as the One who fulfills the requirements as an everlasting dynasty when He reigns forever as the heir of David.