First Chronicles 17 Commentary
http://www.lovingscripture.com
The material in this chapter is pasted from the 7th chapter of Second Samuel. This account is very important because the LORD repeats the history-long blessing.
Compare the following:-
“Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth.” Verse 8b. The LORD is talking to David.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12 verse 2. The LORD is talking to Abraham.
This is David’s response: Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? Indeed, who is David? Is there any human who can possibly deserve this kind of generosity from the LORD? These are heavy words; too heavy for a mortal.
Could it be that the LORD is talking about another man, other than the man David? The human author of this book seems to project this thought. He is very much aware of the shortcomings of David’s dynasty. Even as he wrote this account, probably some 600 years after David, there was no properly recognizable king-leader in Israel.
Could it be that the LORD had another son in mind? Could the title of the LORD Jesus as the son of David be a reference to this thought here? Could the LORD Jesus be that son who would build the LORD a house? In three days?
Could the LORD Jesus be that son with a lasting dynasty? When Pirate queried Jesus on his kingship claims, the answer was a firm yes. Pirate also learned that Jesus wasn’t talking about an ordinary kingdom.
We can look again at the subject that sparked off this all-important talk: David’s intention to build the LORD a permanent residence. In essence, the LORD reminds David that the LORD doesn’t have a need for a house. He hasn’t made any noise over it! On the other hand, it is David who is in need of a house. And this is interesting because David had just finished building his own palace and was well settled.
Regardless of what we build here on earth: a house, a mansion, a yacht, an Island, a city, or even an empire; we are still hopelessly homeless. It is all sadly transient and hopelessly meaningless. And we know it. We feel it. The hope of this chapter is the promise of the LORD to build the saint a lasting home.
And the dynasty? Yes, the dynasty is a direct reference to the dominion mandate of Genesis 1 verse 28. Adam, simply man, both male and female, was created to rule. The promise here is the restoration of the lost dominion. These are questions that Calvary has answered perfectly. The saint is reminded again that dominion has nothing to do with political power, as we understand it today. Hence, “my kingdom is not of this world” – the LORD Jesus.
In the immediate context, we can look at the generosity of the LORD. This love of the LORD is best encapsulated by the song done by the Nigerian Gospel artist; Mercy Chinwo, titled ‘Excess Love’.
Indeed, it is excess love! No wonder an awestruck David could ask, “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us. This explains it all. “And this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!”
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 