Chapter 17

1 Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God an house, 3 after by the word of God forbiddeth him. 11 He promiseth him blessings and benefits in his seed. 16 David’s prayer and thanksgiving.

1. Said to Nathan. This chapter is almost an exact duplicate of 2 Sam. 7. See also the comments on that chapter.

Sitting in the palace he had built for himself, David began to realize how inappropriate it was that the services of God should be conducted in a tent. It was his plan that Jerusalem should be the center of worship for the entire nation. Moses had given instruction that there should be one central place of worship (Deut. 12:13, 14). This instruction David now planned to put into effect by building a beautiful temple that would provide due honor to the great God of heaven.

Under curtains. That is, in a tent.

2. Do all. Nathan was a prophet, but he was here evidently expressing his own opinion. The counsel he gave to David was in accord with his own judgment; he did not present it as based upon a revelation from God. See further on 2 Sam. 7:3.

4. Thou shalt not build. This instruction differed from the counsel Nathan had previously given, but his earlier remark was not the revealed purpose of Heaven. The record in Samuel presents the message in the form of a question, “Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?” (2 Sam. 7:5), with the question implying a negation.

5. Since the day. On the basis of Solomon’s fourth year being the 480th year from the Exodus (see on 1 Kings 6:1), it was now nearly 450 years since Israel had left Egypt. The implication of the statement is that inasmuch as during that time the sanctuary had been repeatedly moved from place to place, for a time longer it might continue to be used as the center of worship until arrangements could be made that would be more in line with the purposes of God.

From tent to tent. Compare 2 Sam. 7:6. This reading must not be taken to imply that the ark was housed in various tents but rather that the tabernacle itself, in which the ark was kept, had been moved from place to place.

6. Judges. The record in Samuel reads “tribes” (see on 2 Sam. 7:7). There is no material difference, since the hypothetical command would have been given to the tribes through the judges. The thought is simply that God had not in the past revealed His will in regard to this matter to anyone, anywhere in Israel.

7. Sheepcote. Heb. naweh, “an abode.” The abode may be either of shepherds, or flocks, or poetically naweh may describe any habitation. David’s humble abode or the abode of David’s flocks is here referred to.

8. Made thee a name. See on 2 Sam. 7:9.

9. Ordain a place. Up to this time Israel had experienced many difficulties in their settlement in Palestine, and not all had yet settled down to established abodes in permanent centers. Tribal boundaries continued to fluctuate, and the inroads of enemies made their extent uncertain. Some of the cities originally assigned to Israel were held by Canaanites in Solomon’s day (see on 1 Kings 9:16).

Moved no more. This promise was conditional (see on v. 12).

10. I will subdue. This personal promise to David involved also his house and all who would throw in their lot on the side of the Lord. It implied that ultimate defeat would be the inevitable fate of the enemies of righteousness. This promise, like the one in v. 9, was conditional upon continued cooperation with the divine plan.

An house. Although the northern kingdom had many dynasties, in Judah the royal line of David continued throughout the history of the kingdom.

12. He shall build. Solomon fulfilled this prediction when he erected the Temple to be the symbolic earthly dwelling place of God (see 1 Kings 8:20, 44; 9:1, 3).

For ever. This promise was conditional on obedience (ch. 28:6, 7). Because of human failure the promise will ultimately be fulfilled only through Christ and the church (see Luke 1:32, 33; see on 2 Sam. 7:13).

13. His father. See on 2 Sam. 7:14.

15. Vision. The message of Nathan on this occasion was a distinct revelation from God, given him in vision (see v. 3).

16. Sat before the Lord. Earlier David had been in his own house (v. 1), where Nathan delivered to him the message from God that he had received in a vision. Verses 16–27 record the prayer of David on this occasion. This prayer is also found in Samuel (see on 2 Sam. 7:18–29).

Who am I, O Lord? Although king, David continued to be meek and humble of heart. He considered himself unworthy of the great honor God had bestowed upon him.

17. A great while. David seemed impressed most by the promise that his throne was to be established forever.

18. Speak more. What could David say more to glorify God, in view of the unparalleled honor God had shown to His servant? David was overwhelmed by the high honor God had shown to him, and words failed him to express the feelings of gratefulness that welled up within his heart.

19. For thy servant’s sake. Compare 2 Chron. 6:42; Ps. 132:10.

20. Beside thee. In all the universe there is only one God, and He is the Creator and Sustainer of all. Man makes his greatest mistake and displays his greatest folly when he sets before him so-called gods who are no gods. Only by a recognition of the true God will man obtain fullness of joy and completeness of peace.

21. Redeemed out of Egypt. Satan tried to crush the people of the Lord in Egypt and to claim them as his. But God redeemed them, demonstrating His wonderful power over all the wiles of the enemy, and bringing His chosen ones out with a mighty hand, to establish them in a land He had promised them as their inheritance. The hearts of devout Israelites welled up with praise and joy when they allowed themselves to think of the wonderful mercy and power displayed by God when He brought His people out of Egypt and established them in the Promised Land.

22. Thine own people. Compare 2 Sam. 7:24. It was a thought of constant comfort and cheer to the true Israelite to know that he belonged to God’s people—a people chosen, protected, and redeemed by Him. However, the same knowledge lulled many into a false security by causing them to ignore two facts: (1) that this status of “chosen people” was also conditional on obedience (Ex. 19:5, 6); and (2) that true Israel included not merely the Hebrews, but people gathered from the ends of the earth, “every one that is called by my name” (Isa. 43:1–7, 21; cf. Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; 26:4).

24. Magnified. The thought is, “Let not only thy promise stand firm, but let thy name be established and magnified forever.” David was interested not only in having his own name and throne established, but in having the name of God glorified and His throne established forever. Man’s interests are wrapped up with God’s interests. God gave to David his throne and brought honor to him. To every nation and individual God has assigned a place in His great plan. All by their own choice are deciding their destiny.

25. Hast told. If God had not Himself promised to establish David’s name and throne forever, David’s prayer would have been bold, presumptuous, and arrogant. The king’s prayer was an expression, not of his own will, but of God’s. Thus he was only praying that God’s will be done.

26. Thou art God. The record of this prayer in Samuel adds, “and thy words be true” (2 Sam. 7:28). David had every assurance that God’s words were sure. He prayed that God might establish His word, not because he feared that God would go back on His promise, but from a sense of deep humility and unworthiness, and because his whole heart’s desire was wrapped up with God’s desire. At the same time he was fully aware of the possibility of human failure. But as God wished it, so he desired it to be and so he prayed that it might be.

Ellen G. White comments

1–17PP 711, 712

1–4PP 711

9–14, 16, 17    PP 712