17:1 David felt disturbed that the Ark, the symbol of God’s presence, sat in a tent while he lived in a beautiful palace. David’s desire was right, but his timing was wrong. God told David not to build a Temple (17:3, 4), and David was willing to abide by God’s timing. If you live in comparative luxury while God’s work, house, or ministers are lacking, perhaps God wants you to change the situation. Like David, take action to correct the imbalance, but be willing to move according to God’s timing.
17:3-14 God did not want a warrior to build his Temple (28:3; 1 Kings 5:3), and David had shed much blood in unifying the nation. So the honor of building the Temple would go to David’s son Solomon. David would pass on to Solomon a peaceful and united kingdom, ready to begin work on a beautiful Temple.
17:10 God promised to subdue David’s enemies. Chapters 18–20 tell how God kept that promise.
17:12-14 Why, after this eternal promise, were the Israelites eventually taken from the Promised Land into captivity? The promise to David had two parts. The first part was conditional: As long as David’s descendants followed God’s laws and honored him, they would continually be on the throne of Israel. The second part was unconditional: A son of David would occupy his throne forever. This was Jesus the Messiah. The first part of the promise was based on the faithful obedience of David’s descendants. The second part would come true regardless of the way his descendants acted.
17:16-20 God told David that Solomon would be given the honor of building the Temple. David responded with deep humility, not resentment. This king who had conquered his enemies and was loved by his people said, “Who am I, . . . that thou hast brought me hitherto?” David recognized that God was the true king. God has done just as much for us, and he plans to do even more! Like David, we should humble ourselves and give glory to God, saying, “O LORD, there is none like thee.” When God chooses someone else to implement your ideas, will you respond with such humility?
17:16-27 David prayed by humbling himself (17:16-18), praising God (17:19, 20), recognizing God’s blessings (17:21, 22), and accepting God’s decisions, promises, and commands (17:23, 24). Sometimes we are quick to make requests to God and to tell him our troubles, but these other dimensions of prayer can deepen our spiritual life. Take time to praise God, to count his blessings, and to affirm your commitment to do what he has already said to do.
17:21 David’s reference to Israel’s exodus from Egypt would have had special significance to the original readers of 1 Chronicles, who were either beginning or had just completed a second great exodus back to Israel from captivity in Babylon. Remembering God’s promises, mercy, and protection during the first exodus would have encouraged the exiles returning once again to Israel, just as God had promised.