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1 Chronicles 17

Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.

Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.

And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.

Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.

What does 1 Chronicles 17:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 17:1

"Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains."

Explanation

1 Chronicles 17:1 highlights a moment of self-awareness and intention by King David regarding the living conditions of the Ark of the Covenant compared to his own residence.

The verse captures David's realization and sense of incongruity that he lives in a house made of cedar, which is a symbol of grandeur and permanence, while the Ark, which represents God's presence and covenant with Israel, is housed within a tent.

David sees the contrast between the splendor of his royal palace and the temporary, less grandiose structure for the Ark as inappropriate.

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Historical Context

This verse is from the book of 1 Chronicles, written post-exile to remind the Israelites of their history and God's faithfulness.

During David's reign, which is estimated to have been around 1010-970 BCE, cedar houses were associated with wealth and nobility.

The Ark of the Covenant, carried by the Israelites since the Exodus, was the most sacred object, believed to contain the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

At this point in history, the Ark was kept in a tent as it had been throughout the travels of the Israelites in the wilderness.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints may interpret this verse in varied ways:

Under the Davidic Covenant, it was seen that David had a desire to build a temple for God as a response to God's blessings.
The verse might be viewed as highlighting the humility of David in recognizing that God's presence, although not confined to a physical space, deserved a dwelling place reflecting its importance.
Some theologians may argue that this verse illustrates the idea that God does not require grand structures built by humans, emphasizing the nature of God as transcending human constructs.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse are:

Recognizing the value of establishing places that honor what is deemed sacred or important in one's life.
Encouraging humility and the acknowledgment of one's blessings, using them not for personal glory but for honoring what one holds dear.
Inspiring believers to evaluate their priorities, ensuring they align with their values and faith.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 7:2: "That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains."
Exodus 25:10-22: Describes the making of the Ark of the Covenant as instructed to Moses.
1 Kings 6: The entire chapter details the construction of Solomon's temple which David intended to build.

Language Study

Key words in this verse include:

"House of cedars": Cedar wood was a luxury in ancient times, renowned for its durability and fragrance.
"Ark of the covenant": The Hebrew term 'aron habrit' refers to the chest that held the tablets of law, representing God's presence and agreement with Israel.
"Dwelleth": The Hebrew verb 'yashab' implies to sit, remain, or inhabit, indicating a state of residence or permanence.
"Curtains": The word for curtains, 'yĕriy`ah', reflects the material used for the tent that housed the Ark, signifying a more temporary and less prestigious structure.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, it was common for deities to have elaborate temples or houses built for them.

The concept of creating a house or temple for a god was a way to honor and house the deity's presence.

David's desire to build a temple for the Ark parallels this wider ancient cultural practice but also differs, as his motive is borne out of a sense of disparity rather than for the purpose of containing a deity.

Scientific Perspectives

While there is no direct scientific discussion in this verse, the procurement and use of cedar wood could be explored from an environmental and architectural standpoint, considering the sustainability and properties of the material mentioned.

Examination of ancient construction techniques and materials gives insights into the technological advancements and environmental resources of the period.

commentaries

Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes that David's recognition of the disparity between his house and the Ark's tent is indicative of his piety and desire to honor God.
The Pulpit Commentary notes the discomfort David feels living in luxury while the symbol of God's presence is in a tent, and Nathan's initial agreement reflects this concern.
Adam Clarke's Commentary points out the prosperity of David's reign, which allowed him to even consider building a temple for the Ark, a project later undertaken by his son Solomon.

1 Chronicles 17

1 Chronicles 17

What does 1 Chronicles 17:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Chronicles Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does 1 Chronicles 17:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Chronicles Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?