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Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible - Old Testament

First Chronicles 17 (Chapter XVII Study)

 

First Chronicles Exposition: Index | Introduction to the book of First Chronicles | First Chronicles 1 | First Chronicles 2 | First Chronicles 3 | First Chronicles 4 | First Chronicles 5 | First Chronicles 6 | First Chronicles 7 | First Chronicles 8 | First Chronicles 9 | First Chronicles 10 | First Chronicles 11 | First Chronicles 12 | First Chronicles 13 | First Chronicles 14 | First Chronicles 15 | First Chronicles 16 | First Chronicles 17 | First Chronicles 18 | First Chronicles 19 | First Chronicles 20 | First Chronicles 21 | First Chronicles 22 | First Chronicles 23 | First Chronicles 24 | First Chronicles 25 | First Chronicles 26 | First Chronicles 27 | First Chronicles 28 | First Chronicles 29

First Chronicles full text: First Chronicles 1 | First Chronicles 2 | First Chronicles 3 | First Chronicles 4 | First Chronicles 5 | First Chronicles 6 | First Chronicles 7 | First Chronicles 8 | First Chronicles 9 | First Chronicles 10 | First Chronicles 11 | First Chronicles 12 | First Chronicles 13 | First Chronicles 14 | First Chronicles 15 | First Chronicles 16 | First Chronicles 17 | First Chronicles 18 | First Chronicles 19 | First Chronicles 20 | First Chronicles 21 | First Chronicles 22 | First Chronicles 23 | First Chronicles 24 | First Chronicles 25 | First Chronicles 26 | First Chronicles 27 | First Chronicles 28 | First Chronicles 29

This excellent chapter is the same with 2 Sam. vii. It will be worth while to look back upon what was there said upon it. Two things in general we have in it:—I. God's gracious acceptance of David's purpose to build him a house, and the promise he made thereupon, ver. 1-15. II. David's gracious acceptance of God's good promise to build him a house, and the prayer he made thereupon, ver. 16-27.

God's Promise to David. (b. c. 1042.)

1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains.   2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.   3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,   4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in:   5 For I have not dwelt in a 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.   6 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 a house of cedars?   7 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:   8 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.   9 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,   10 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 a house.   11 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.   12 He shall build me a house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.   13 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:   14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.   15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Let us observe here,

I. How desirous and solicitous good people should be to serve the interests of God's kingdom in the world, to the utmost of their capacity. David could not be easy in a house of cedar while the ark was lodged within curtains, v. 1. The concerns of the public should always be near our hearts. What pleasure can we take in our own prosperity if we see not the good of Jerusalem? When David is advanced to wealth and power see what his cares and projects are. Not, "What shall I do for my children to get portions for them? What shall I do to fill my coffers and enlarge my dominions?" But, "What shall I do for God, to serve and honour him?" Those that are contriving where to bestow their fruits and their good would do well to enquire what condition the ark is in, and whether some may not be well bestowed upon it.

II. How ready God's prophets should be to encourage every good purpose. Nathan was no sooner aware of David's good design than he bade him go and do all that was within his heart (v. 2), for he had no reason to doubt but that God was with him in it. Ministers should stir up the gifts and graces that are in others as well as in themselves.

St-Takla.org Image: "But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 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 who was before you. And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David" (1 Chronicles 17: 3-15) - 1 Chronicles, Bible illustrations by James Padgett (1931-2009), published by Sweet Media صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: "وفي تلك الليلة كان كلام الله إلى ناثان قائلا: «اذهب وقل لداود عبدي: هكذا قال الرب: أنت لا تبني لي بيتا للسكنى، لأني لم أسكن في بيت منذ يوم أصعدت إسرائيل إلى هذا اليوم، بل سرت من خيمة إلى خيمة، ومن مسكن إلى مسكن. في كل ما سرت مع جميع إسرائيل، هل تكلمت بكلمة مع أحد قضاة إسرائيل الذين أمرتهم أن يرعوا شعبي إسرائيل قائلا: لماذا لم تبنوا لي بيتا من أرز؟ والآن فهكذا تقول لعبدي داود: هكذا قال رب الجنود: أنا أخذتك من المربض، من وراء الغنم لتكون رئيسا على شعبي إسرائيل، وكنت معك حيثما توجهت، وقرضت جميع أعدائك من أمامك، وعملت لك اسما كاسم العظماء الذين في الأرض. وعينت مكانا لشعبي إسرائيل وغرسته فسكن في مكانه، ولا يضطرب بعد، ولا يعود بنو الإثم يبلونه كما في الأول، ومنذ الأيام التي فيها أقمت قضاة على شعبي إسرائيل. وأذللت جميع أعدائك. وأخبرك أن الرب يبني لك بيتا. ويكون متى كملت أيامك لتذهب مع آبائك، أني أقيم بعدك نسلك الذي يكون من بنيك وأثبت مملكته. هو يبني لي بيتا وأنا أثبت كرسيه إلى الأبد. أنا أكون له أبا وهو يكون لي ابنا، ولا أنزع رحمتي عنه كما نزعتها عن الذي كان قبلك. وأقيمه في بيتي وملكوتي إلى الأبد، ويكون كرسيه ثابتا إلى الأبد». فحسب جميع هذا الكلام وحسب كل هذه الرؤيا كذلك كلم ناثان داود" (أخبار الأيام الأول 17: 3-15) - صور سفر أخبار الأيام الأول، رسم جيمز بادجيت (1931-2009)، إصدار شركة سويت ميديا

St-Takla.org Image: "But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’ Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 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 who was before you. And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David" (1 Chronicles 17: 3-15) - 1 Chronicles, Bible illustrations by James Padgett (1931-2009), published by Sweet Media

صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: "وفي تلك الليلة كان كلام الله إلى ناثان قائلا: «اذهب وقل لداود عبدي: هكذا قال الرب: أنت لا تبني لي بيتا للسكنى، لأني لم أسكن في بيت منذ يوم أصعدت إسرائيل إلى هذا اليوم، بل سرت من خيمة إلى خيمة، ومن مسكن إلى مسكن. في كل ما سرت مع جميع إسرائيل، هل تكلمت بكلمة مع أحد قضاة إسرائيل الذين أمرتهم أن يرعوا شعبي إسرائيل قائلا: لماذا لم تبنوا لي بيتا من أرز؟ والآن فهكذا تقول لعبدي داود: هكذا قال رب الجنود: أنا أخذتك من المربض، من وراء الغنم لتكون رئيسا على شعبي إسرائيل، وكنت معك حيثما توجهت، وقرضت جميع أعدائك من أمامك، وعملت لك اسما كاسم العظماء الذين في الأرض. وعينت مكانا لشعبي إسرائيل وغرسته فسكن في مكانه، ولا يضطرب بعد، ولا يعود بنو الإثم يبلونه كما في الأول، ومنذ الأيام التي فيها أقمت قضاة على شعبي إسرائيل. وأذللت جميع أعدائك. وأخبرك أن الرب يبني لك بيتا. ويكون متى كملت أيامك لتذهب مع آبائك، أني أقيم بعدك نسلك الذي يكون من بنيك وأثبت مملكته. هو يبني لي بيتا وأنا أثبت كرسيه إلى الأبد. أنا أكون له أبا وهو يكون لي ابنا، ولا أنزع رحمتي عنه كما نزعتها عن الذي كان قبلك. وأقيمه في بيتي وملكوتي إلى الأبد، ويكون كرسيه ثابتا إلى الأبد». فحسب جميع هذا الكلام وحسب كل هذه الرؤيا كذلك كلم ناثان داود" (أخبار الأيام الأول 17: 3-15) - صور سفر أخبار الأيام الأول، رسم جيمز بادجيت (1931-2009)، إصدار شركة سويت ميديا

III. How little God affects external pomp and splendour in his service. His ark was content with a tabernacle (v. 5) and he never so much as mentioned the building of a house for it; no, not when he had fixed his people in great and goodly cities which they builded not, Deut. vi. 10. He commanded the judges to feed his people, but never bade them build him a house, v. 6. We may well be content awhile with mean accommodations; God's ark was so.

IV. How graciously God accepts his people's good purposes, yea, though he himself prevents the performance of them. David must not build this house, v. 4. He must prepare for it, but not do it; as Moses must bring Israel within sight of Canaan, but must them leave it to Joshua to put them in possession of it. It is the prerogative of Christ to be both the author and finisher of his work. Yet David must not think that, because he was not permitted to build the temple, 1. His preferment was in vain; no, "I took thee from the sheep-cote, though not to be a builder of the temple, yet to be ruler over my people Israel; that is honour enough for thee; leave the other to one that shall come after thee," v. 7. Why should one man think to engross all the business and to bring every good work to perfection? Let something be left for those that succeed. God had given him victories, and made him a name (v. 8), and, further, intended by him to establish his people Israel and secure them against their enemies, v. 9. That must be his work, who is a man of war and fit for it, and he must let the building of churches be left to one that was never cut out for a soldier. Nor, 2. Must he think that his good purpose was in vain, and that he should lose the reward of it; no, it being God's act to prevent the execution of it, he shall be as fully recompensed as if he had done it; "The Lord will build thee a house, and annex the crown of Israel to it," v. 10. If there be a willing mind, it shall not only be accepted, but thus rewarded. Nor, 3. Must he think that because he might not do this good work therefore it would never be done, and that it was in vain to think of it; no, I will raise up thy seed, and he shall build me a house, v. 11, 12. God's temple shall be built in the time appointed, though we may not have the honour of helping to build it or the satisfaction of seeing it built. Nor, 4. Must he confine his thoughts to the temporal prosperity of his family, but must entertain himself with the prospect of the kingdom of the Messiah, who should descend from his loins, and whose throne should be established for evermore, v. 14. Solomon was not himself so settled in God's house as he should have been, nor was his family settled in the kingdom: "But there shall one descend from thee whom I will settle in my house and in my kingdom," which intimates that he should be both a high priest over the house of God and should have the sole administration of the affairs of God's kingdom among men, all power both in heaven and in earth, in the house and in the kingdom, in the church and in the world. He shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both, and he shall build the temple of the Lord, Zech. vi. 12, 13.

David's Grateful Acknowledgment. (b. c. 1042.)

16 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?   17 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.   18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.   19 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.   20 O Lord, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.   21 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?   22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, Lord, becamest their God.   23 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.   24 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.   25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him a house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.   26 And now, Lord, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:   27 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.

We have here David's solemn address to God, in answer to the gracious message he had now received from him. By faith he receives the promises, embraces them, and is persuaded of them, as the patriarchs, Heb. xi. 13. How humbly does he here abase himself, and acknowledge his own unworthiness! How highly does he advance the name of God and admire his condescending grace and favour! With what devout affections does he magnify the God of Israel and what a value has he for the Israel of God! With what assurance does he build upon the promise, and with what a lively faith does he put it in suit! What an example is this to us of humble, believing, fervent prayer! The Lord enable us all thus to seek him! These things were largely observed, 2 Sam. vii. We shall therefore here observe only those few expressions in which the prayer, as we find it here, differs from the record of it there, and has something added to it.

I. That which is there expressed by way of question (Is this the manner of men, O Lord God?) is here an acknowledgment: "Thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree. Thou hast made me a great man, and then treated me accordingly." God, by the covenant-relations into which he admits believers, the titles he gives them, the favours he bestows on them, and the preparations he has made for them, regards them according to the estate of men of high degree, though they are mean and vile, and you can find more about that here on st-takla.org on other commentaries and dictionary entries. Having himself distinguished them, he treats them as persons of distinction, according to the quality he has been pleased to put upon them. Some give these words here another reading: "Thou hast looked upon me in the form of a man who art in the highest, the Lord God; or, Thou hast made me to see according to the form of a man the majesty of the Lord God." And so it points at the Messiah; for, as Abraham, so David, saw his day and was glad, saw it by faith, saw it in fashion as a man, the Word made flesh, and yet saw his glory as that of the only-begotten of the Father. And this was that which God spoke concerning his house for a great while to come, the foresight of which affected him more than any thing. And let it not be thought strange that David should speak so plainly of the two natures of Christ who in spirit called him Lord, though he knew he was to be his Son (Ps. cx. 1), and foresaw him lower than the angels for a little while, but afterwards crowned with glory and honour, Heb. ii. 6, 7.

St-Takla.org Image: "According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O Lord God. What more can David say to You for the honor of Your servant? For You know Your servant. O Lord, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, Lord, have become their God. “And now, O Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said. So let it be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray before You. And now, Lord, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever.”" (1 Chronicles 17: 15-27) - 1 Chronicles, Bible illustrations by James Padgett (1931-2009), published by Sweet Media صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: "فحسب جميع هذا الكلام وحسب كل هذه الرؤيا كذلك كلم ناثان داود. فدخل الملك داود وجلس أمام الرب وقال: «من أنا أيها الرب الإله، وماذا بيتي حتى أوصلتني إلى هنا؟ وقل هذا في عينيك يا الله فتكلمت عن بيت عبدك إلى زمان طويل، ونظرت إلي من العلاء كعادة الإنسان أيها الرب الإله. فماذا يزيد داود بعد لك لأجل إكرام عبدك وأنت قد عرفت عبدك؟ يا رب، من أجل عبدك وحسب قلبك قد فعلت كل هذه العظائم، لتظهر جميع العظائم يا رب، ليس مثلك ولا إله غيرك حسب كل ما سمعناه بآذاننا. وأية أمة على الأرض مثل شعبك إسرائيل الذي سار الله ليفتديه لنفسه شعبا، لتجعل لك اسم عظائم ومخاوف بطردك أمما من أمام شعبك الذي افتديته من مصر. وقد جعلت شعبك إسرائيل لنفسك شعبا إلى الأبد، وأنت أيها الرب صرت لهم إلها. والآن أيها الرب، ليثبت إلى الأبد الكلام الذي تكلمت به عن عبدك وعن بيته وافعل كما نطقت. وليثبت ويتعظم اسمك إلى الأبد، فيقال: رب الجنود إله إسرائيل. هو الله لإسرائيل وليثبت بيت داود عبدك أمامك. لأنك يا إلهي قد أعلنت لعبدك أنك تبني له بيتا، لذلك وجد عبدك أن يصلي أمامك. والآن أيها الرب، أنت هو الله، وقد وعدت عبدك بهذا الخير. والآن قد ارتضيت بأن تبارك بيت عبدك ليكون إلى الأبد أمامك، لأنك أنت يا رب قد باركت وهو مبارك إلى الأبد" (أخبار الأيام الأول 17: 15-27) - صور سفر أخبار الأيام الأول، رسم جيمز بادجيت (1931-2009)، إصدار شركة سويت ميديا

St-Takla.org Image: "According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O Lord God. What more can David say to You for the honor of Your servant? For You know Your servant. O Lord, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, Lord, have become their God. “And now, O Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said. So let it be established, that Your name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray before You. And now, Lord, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever.”" (1 Chronicles 17: 15-27) - 1 Chronicles, Bible illustrations by James Padgett (1931-2009), published by Sweet Media

صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: "فحسب جميع هذا الكلام وحسب كل هذه الرؤيا كذلك كلم ناثان داود. فدخل الملك داود وجلس أمام الرب وقال: «من أنا أيها الرب الإله، وماذا بيتي حتى أوصلتني إلى هنا؟ وقل هذا في عينيك يا الله فتكلمت عن بيت عبدك إلى زمان طويل، ونظرت إلي من العلاء كعادة الإنسان أيها الرب الإله. فماذا يزيد داود بعد لك لأجل إكرام عبدك وأنت قد عرفت عبدك؟ يا رب، من أجل عبدك وحسب قلبك قد فعلت كل هذه العظائم، لتظهر جميع العظائم يا رب، ليس مثلك ولا إله غيرك حسب كل ما سمعناه بآذاننا. وأية أمة على الأرض مثل شعبك إسرائيل الذي سار الله ليفتديه لنفسه شعبا، لتجعل لك اسم عظائم ومخاوف بطردك أمما من أمام شعبك الذي افتديته من مصر. وقد جعلت شعبك إسرائيل لنفسك شعبا إلى الأبد، وأنت أيها الرب صرت لهم إلها. والآن أيها الرب، ليثبت إلى الأبد الكلام الذي تكلمت به عن عبدك وعن بيته وافعل كما نطقت. وليثبت ويتعظم اسمك إلى الأبد، فيقال: رب الجنود إله إسرائيل. هو الله لإسرائيل وليثبت بيت داود عبدك أمامك. لأنك يا إلهي قد أعلنت لعبدك أنك تبني له بيتا، لذلك وجد عبدك أن يصلي أمامك. والآن أيها الرب، أنت هو الله، وقد وعدت عبدك بهذا الخير. والآن قد ارتضيت بأن تبارك بيت عبدك ليكون إلى الأبد أمامك، لأنك أنت يا رب قد باركت وهو مبارك إلى الأبد" (أخبار الأيام الأول 17: 15-27) - صور سفر أخبار الأيام الأول، رسم جيمز بادجيت (1931-2009)، إصدار شركة سويت ميديا

II. After the words What can David say more unto thee, it is here added, for the honour of they servant? v. 18. Note, The honour God puts upon his servants, by taking them into covenant and communion with himself, is so great that they need not, they cannot, desire to be more highly honoured. Were they to sit down and wish, they could not speak more for their own honour than the word of God has spoken.

III. It is very observable that what in Samuel is said to be for thy word's sake is here said to be for thy servant's sake, v. 19. Jesus Christ is both the Word of God (Rev. xix. 13) and the servant of God (Isa. xlii. 1), and it is for his sake, upon the score of his meditation, that the promises are both made and made good to all believers; it is in him that they are yea and amen. For his sake is all kindness done, for his sake it is made known; to him we owe all this greatness and 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 hand of the Lord Jesus, we cannot but magnify as great things, the only true greatness, and speak honourably of accordingly.

IV. In Samuel, the Lord of hosts is said to be the God over Israel; here he is said to be the God of Israel, even a God to Israel, v. 24. His being the God of Israel bespeaks his having the name of their God and so calling himself; his being a God to Israel bespeaks his answering to the name, his filling up the relation, and doing all that to them which might be expected from him. There were those that were called gods of such and such nations, gods of Assyria and Egypt, gods of Hamad and Arpad; but they were no gods to them, for they stood them in no stead at all, were mere ciphers, nothing but a name. But the God of Israel is a God to Israel; all his attributes and perfections redound to their real benefit and advantage. Happy therefore, thrice happy, is the people whose God is Jehovah; for he will be a God to them, a God all-sufficient.

V. The closing words in Samuel are, With thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever. That is the language of a holy desire. But the closing words here are the language of a most holy faith: For thou blessest, O Lord! and it shall be blessed for ever, v. 27. 1. He was encouraged to beg a blessing because God had intimated to him that he had blessings in store for him and his family: "Thou blessest, O Lord! and therefore unto thee shall all flesh come for a blessing; unto thee do I come for the blessing promised to me." Promises are intended to direct and excite prayer. Has God said, I will bless? Let our hearts answer, Lord, bless me, 2. He was earnest for the blessing because he believed that those whom God blesses are truly and eternally blessed: Thou blessest, and it shall be blessed. Men can but beg the blessing; it is God that commands it. What he designs he effects; what he promises he performs; saying and doing are not two things with him. Nay, it shall be blessed for ever. His blessings shall not be revoked, cannot be opposed, and the benefits conferred by them are such as will survive time and days. David's prayer concludes as God's promise did (v. 14) with that which is for ever. God's word looks at things eternal, and so should our desires and hopes.

St-Takla.org                     Divider of Saint TaklaHaymanot's website فاصل - موقع الأنبا تكلاهيمانوت

Other commentaries and interpretations on the Book of First Chronicles:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

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