I Chronicles 17
Nathan tells David to build the Templeverses 1-2
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
remains under curtains
Then Nathan said unto David
Do all that is in your heart – for God is with you
LORD gives Nathan a message for Davidverses 3-14
And it came to pass the same night
that the word of God came to Nathan
saying
Go and tell David MY servant
Thus says the LORD
You shall not build ME a house to dwell in for
I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up
Israel to this day – but have gone from tent to tent
and from one tabernacle to another
Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel
spoke I a word to any of the judges of Israel
whom I commanded to feed MY people
saying
Why have you not built ME a house of cedars?
Now therefore thus shall you say to MY servant David
Thus says the LORD of hosts
I took you from the sheepcote even from following the sheep
that you should be ruler over MY people Israel
and I have been with you whithersoever
you have walked
and have cut off all your enemies from
before you
and have made you 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 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 your enemies
furthermore I tell you that the LORD will build you a house
And it shall come to pass – when your days be expired that you must go
to be with thy fathers – that I will raise up your seed after you
which shall be of your sons
and I will establish his kingdom
He shall build ME an 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 that was before you
But I will settle him in MINE house and in MY kingdom forever
and his throne shall be established forevermore
Nathan takes message to Davidverse 15
According to all these words – and according to all this vision
so did Nathan speak unto David
David responds to message with prayerverses 16-27
And David the king came and sat before the LORD
and said
Who am I – O LORD God – and what is mine house
that YOU hast brought me hitherto?
And yet this was a small thing in YOUR eyes – O God
for YOU have also spoken of YOUR servant’s house
for a great while to come
and have regarded me according to the
estate of a man of high degree – O LORD God
What can David speak more 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
have YOU done all this greatness
in making known all these great things
O LORD – there is none like YOU
neither is there any God beside YOU
according to all that we have heard with our ears
And what one nation in the earth is like YOUR people Israel
whom God went to redeem to be HIS OWN people
to make YOU a name of greatness and terribleness
by driving out nations from before YOUR people
whom YOU hast redeemed out of Egypt?
For YOUR people Israel did YOU make YOUR OWN people
for ever and YOU – LORD – became their God
Therefore now – LORD – let the thing that YOU have spoken
concerning YOUR servant and concerning his house be
established for ever – and do as YOU have said
Let it even be established – that YOUR name may be magnified for ever
saying
The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel – even a God to Israel
let the house of David YOUR servant be established before YOU
For YOU – O my God – have told YOUR servant that YOU
will build him a house – therefore YOUR servant has
found in his heart to pray before YOU
And now – LORD – YOU are God
and have promised this goodness to YOUR servant
now therefore let it please YOU to bless the
house of YOUR servant
that it may be before YOU for ever
for YOU blesses O LORD
and it shall be blessed for ever
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 7 Now therefore thus shall you say to my servant David. Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over MY people Israel. (5057 “nagiyd} means prince, captain, leader, governor, a person who rules or commands; especially understood as having primacy of authority)
DEVOTION: The LORD took David from tending sheep to become the leader of Israel. When Samuel came to anoint someone from the family of Jesse David was out watching the sheep. He had to be called in to come to the meeting with Samuel.
The LORD arranged for David to go to the battle with the Philistines where he killed Goliath. The LORD arranged for David to be musical and go into the court of Saul to play for him. The LORD arranged for David to be safe from all the attacks of Saul on his life. The LORD arranged for the children of Israel to select him after the death of Saul. It took years from the time he was anointed by Samuel for him to become the king of the nation of Israel but it happened.
The LORD can take someone from seeming obscurity and make him a great leader. HE is just looking for willing servants who want to honor HIM with their life. We need to be that type of servant. We need to realize how the LORD works in our world.
Those who sometimes think they are leaders are really not chosen by the LORD. Those who think that the LORD will not use them need to reevaluate their thoughts. HE is willing to use those who will humble themselves and look to HIM for guidance.
David is praying a humble prayer of thanksgiving for the promise HE has made to him and his family.
CHALLENGE: Are we praying these prayers as well? Where has the LORD taken you from and where is HE taking you?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 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 you. (2617 “mercy” [checed] means kindness, piety, beauty, favor, or good deed)
DEVOTION: David built himself a palace. He called Nathan the prophet in to ask him to speak to the LORD regarding building HIM a Temple. Nathan said “Go ahead.”
However, the LORD visited Nathan that night and gave him a message to give to David. The message stated that the LORD didn’t want David to build a Temple for HIM. The LORD told him that his son was going to build the Temple.
David appreciated the message that Nathan gave him and went before the LORD in prayer. He wanted to thank the LORD for all HIS promised to him and his family. The LORD promises David that he will not take his kindness away from his son.
That is every Christian father’s wish today. We would all want the LORD to bless our children. We want each of our children to become followers of the LORD. We want all our children to marry those who love the LORD. We want all our grandchildren become followers of the LORD and marry those who love the LORD.
The LORD has promised to bless David for many generations. We know that Christ came from the seed of David. Christ was going to be the future ruler of the world. HE was going to establish HIS kingdom on this earth for a thousand years.
However, HE was going to come the first time to die on the cross for the sins of the world. HE shed enough blood, so that, everyone could become a follower of HIM. The fact is, that only a small portion of this world’s population, become followers of Christ. They will all have a chance to become a follower but most chose not to. That means they will spend eternity in a place reserved for the devil and his angels. That place is Hell or the Lake of Fire. Heaven lasts for eternity and so does the lake of fire. A choice has to be made by each individual as to where they are going to spend eternity.
Our responsibility is to pray and the LORD will give the results. Remember to pray daily for our family. Remember to pray for our grandchildren. David was so thankful in his prayer to the LORD.
We need to be thankful to HIM for the salvation of our children, their wives and their children. Are we thankful? If they are not already believers we need to regularly pray for their salvation.
The LORD is a merciful God. HE reveals HIMSELF through creation and the Word of God.
CHALLENGE: Reach your family and friends through these two revelations of the LORD’S presence in our world. Be a witness before it is TOO LATE!!!
: 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 YOU have brought me hitherto? (935 “brought” [bow] means to take something or somebody with oneself somewhere, to lead in, to carry in, gather, cause to come, to bring to pass, or include)
DEVOTION: We can all ask this question of the LORD when we think about what HE has done for us throughout our Christian life. David has just been told by Nathan the prophet that his son is going to build the Temple. He knows that future generations are going to be blessed by the LORD based on the message Nathan brought. It is thought that this even refers to Jesus Christ coming through his seed into this world.
This promise can be given to us as we raise our children to honor the LORD. There will be future generations of believers because of our faith in HIM. We have to share these truths with our children.
David considered his family important. He was not just concerned about his lifetime but the lifetime of those who came after him. This is a proper way for a father to feel about his children. He wants them to be blessed and sometimes doesn’t understand how the LORD could make a promise that his future generations would be blessed but the promise is made and he is thankful to the LORD for that promise.
The Bible states that the Word of God will not return void. If we are training our family properly with a good example and a good understanding of the Word of God they can grow up to become genuine believers in Jesus Christ.
We can ask the same question and know that HE does hear our prayers. How far has the LORD brought your family in their relationship with HIM? You are part of the solution to HIS working with your family.
There is a genuine need to bring our families before the LORD on a daily basis. Are you praying for them today?
CHALLENGE: Each day I need to be praying for my children and their spouses and their children. My grandchildren’s future is at stake and prayer is one of the ways we can take them before the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 21 And what one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom GOD went to redeem to be HIS OWN people to make YOU a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before YOUR people, whom YOU have redeemed out of Egypt? (6299 “redeem” [padah] means deliver, ransom, rescue, set free, release, preserve or loose)
DEVOTION: David is praying to the LORD with thanksgiving for all the LORD has done and will do for Israel. He realizes that the LORD has elected Israel to be a special people to HIM. HIS relationship with them is one who have ransomed them from slavery in Egypt to give them a Promised Land.
There is only one nation that the LORD delivered during their existence. It is the children of Israel. HE had made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that they would inherit a land after the iniquity of the land was full. The nation grew in Egypt even under slavery. They were rescued from slavery and all the perils of the wilderness wanderings. They were judged for their sins throughout their travels but the LORD continued to lead and guide them to the Promised Land.
This history shows how longsuffering the LORD was with HIS chosen people. The LORD established HIS name among the nations through HIS deliverances of Israel from forces larger than them. The nations around Israel realized that the children of Israel were a blessed nation that would be protected as long as they were obedient to the LORD.
The LORD has set free all those who trust in Jesus Christ today. Once a total commitment is made by an individual to follow the LORD they are in HIS hands and protected by HIS hands through all their life. HE will chasten HIS people even today if they are not obedient. HE will prune those who need to grow more in their relationship with HIM but HE will never leave them or forsake them.
When God makes a promise, HE keeps it. Those who are genuine followers of Jesus Christ can count on HIS promises just like the children of Israel could count on HIS promises.
CHALLENGE: We have to know that we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and on that basis trust and obey the LORD throughout our life.
: 24 Let it even be established, that YOUR name may be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David YOUR servant be established before YOU. (1431 “magnified” [gadal] means to grow up, to become strong, to become great, nourished up, greater, or to be or become great in size, scale, magnitude, or importance)
DEVOTION: Something that should be important to all Christian leaders is that we make sure that we want the LORD to become greater with our service rather than ourselves. As leaders who are believers, we should always want those who look at us to thing that we are in the business of magnifying the LORD. We are not in the business of magnifying ourselves.
David had this plan at the beginning of his kingship. He wanted the people to always look to the LORD for guidance just like he was doing. He wanted to make sure that he was in tune with the LORD with each of his decisions. This was the beginning of his kingship.
There were times when David forgot to put the LORD first and give HIM all the glory. These were times of him trying to do things without HIS help. He found out that things didn’t go as well when he was not in the proper relationship with the LORD.
This is true today in the church. When a leader is putting himself first instead of the LORD than things might go well for a short time but after a while the people of the church will see that he is not following the LORD properly unless they follow his lead and don’t care.
This happened to Israel at times but they repented and returned to the LORD. This needs to happen in the church as well. If the church is not consulting the LORD regularly and gets off coarse, they need to repent and turn back to the LORD. David did this a number of times in his kingship and we need to do the same in our local church.
The LORD wants HIS church to magnify HIS name just likes HE wants HIS church to magnify HIS name today.
CHALLENGE: Where is the church today? Is it following the leading of the LORD? Does the pastor and leadership put the LORD first in all their decisions? Only through prayer can the answer be YES!
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
David’s prayer of thankfulnessverses 16- 27
LORD knows his servant
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Ark of the covenantverse 1
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of Godverse 3
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 1, 4, 7, 10, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22-24, 26, 27
Ark of the covenant of the LORDverse 1
God – Elohim (Creator)verses 2, 16, 17, 20-22, 24-26
Word of Godverse 3
Walked with Israelverse 6
LORD of hostsverses 7, 24
LORD Godverses 16, 17
None like HIMverse 20
Only one true Godverse 20
LORD be magnifiedverse 24
LORD of hosts is the God of Israelverse 24
Goodness of LORDverse 26
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Enemiesverses 8, 10
Nationsverse 21
Egyptverse 21
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Children of wickednessverse 9
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Presence of the LORDverses 2, 8
Servantverses 4, 7, 17-19, 25-27
Judges: feed peopleverses 6, 10
Protection from enemiesverses 8, 10
Ordainverse 9
Mercyverse 13
Redeemverse 21
Prayerverse 25
Promised goodnessverse 26
Blessedverse 27
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Davidverses 1-27
servant
sheepcote to ruler
a great man
kingdom to be established
name with the great men in the earth
LORD will build him a house
His son will establish the kingdom
Nathan spoke to him
Sat before the LORD
Prayer to the LORD
House of David established before God
Asked for blessing on his house
Nathan the prophetverses 1-15
Israelverses 6, 9, 21-27
LORD ordained a place for
Name of greatness and terribleness
Own people of God
Judges over Israelverse 10
Solomn build a house for LORDverses 11-14
God is going to be his father he shall be his son
Throne shall be established
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Kingdom of God for eververse 14
Israel God’s people for eververse 22
David’s house established for eververses 23, 27
Magnify the name of LORD for eververse 24
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QUOTES regarding passage
a. Praise for God’s uniqueness (17:16–22). Three rhetorical questions, Who am I? (v. 16), ‘What is my house?’ (v. 16, nrsv, rsv, etc.), and Who is like your people Israel? (v. 21), and a statement of faith, There is no-one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you (v. 20), form the backbone to the first part of this prayer. The prayer is not just a conventional religious response to good news, for God’s word has brought about a marked change in David’s perspective. He has a new perception of his dependence (cf. v. 1), and the similar questions in the prayer of 29:14 show that this was not a passing phase. Even more importantly, an awareness has emerged of God as not only unique but without any rival (v. 20). Both statements in verse 20 recur elsewhere—There is no-one like you, O Lord in the prayers of Asa (2 Chr. 14:11, evv; v. 10, mt), Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20:6) and Jeremiah (Jer. 10:6–7); there is no God but you in both prayer (Ps. 18:32; Isa. 64:4) and divine speech (Isa. 45:5, 21; Hos. 13:4). The development towards monotheism in the Old Testament is quite uneven, but, in the light of these references, the Davidic covenant is to be placed on a par with God’s mighty acts of salvation in the exodus (Hos. 13:4) and the return from exile (Isa. 45:5, 21) as major evidence for Yahweh’s incomparability (cf. v. 24).
The prayer confirms that the new covenant promises are also a continuation of God’s eternal promises for his people in the Mosaic covenant (vv. 21–22; cf. vv. 7–8). By echoing the covenant formula, You made your people Israel your very own for ever, and you, O Lord, have become their God (v. 22), the past is resumed (Exod. 6:7; Lev. 26:12), the judgment of exile forgiven (Hos. 1:8–9; Jer. 31:33), and the future in Christ anticipated (Rom. 9:25–26; Rev. 21:3). Difficulties of translation occur at several points in these verses, as comparison of the evv of verses 17, 19, 21 clearly demonstrates. The position is not improved by similar problems in the corresponding verses of 2 Samuel 7, and no consensus has emerged concerning a solution, though the over-all sense is only marginally affected. (Selman, M. J. (1994). 1 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 10, pp. 189–190). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
17:21 David’s observation here was not blind nationalism. As David continued to praise God, he expressed like Moses a theology of the election of Israel. God had chosen Israel, His treasured possession, by His will alone. The Israelites had nothing by which they could commend themselves to God. In fact, they were an insignificant and enslaved people (Deut. 7:6–11). Israel’s prominent place among the nations was due to the Lord’s abundant mercy. David’s reference to Israel as the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem does not preclude the eventual redemption of others. He is speaking here not soteriologically but in terms of servanthood. The redemption of Israel was not to save her so as to make her His people—that was already an accomplished fact (Ex. 3:7, 10; 4:22, 23)—but to deliver her so as to make a covenant of servanthood with her (Ex. 19:6). It also would provide occasion for the nations to marvel at Yahweh’s power and thus to magnify His name. (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (1 Ch 17:21). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers)
The theme of redemption was not to be related merely to the firstborn of Israel. Israel itself was the firstborn of God (Ex 4:22) and had been redeemed by Yahweh: “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you … ” (Deut 15:15; 24:18). Israel had been delivered, ransomed from servitude in Egypt by the hand of God. This fact was to color Hebrew thought through the centuries to come (cf. II Sam 7:23; Ps 78:42; 111:9; Mic 6:4). Isaiah even saw God’s calling of Abraham from Ur as redemption (Isa 29:22; cf. I Pet 1:18). Likewise he saw the future deliverance of Zion as the result of that same redemptive activity (Isa 35:10; 51:11; cf. also Isa 50:2; Zech 10:8).
The concept of redemption continued to broaden. God, who had redeemed his people from Egypt, would also deliver them from other difficulties. David could affirm that God had redeemed him from all adversity (II Sam 4:9; I Kgs 1:29); therefore he could pray, “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his trouble” (Ps 25:22).
The Psalms often speak of God’s deliverance or redemption of life from some danger (Ps 26:11; 31:5; 34:22 [H 23]; 44:26 [H 27]; 71:23), or from the hand of human oppression (Ps 55:18 [H 19]; 69:18 [H 19]; cf. also Job 6:23). The greatest danger or adversary that man faces is Death, Sheol, the Pit. The Psalmist gives poignant expression to man’s inadequacy in Ps 49:8–9, but concludes that God’s redemptive power is not limited (v. 16). The resurrection is God’s ultimate redemption of man.
Interestingly enough, only once is pādâ used with reference to redemption from sin (Ps 130:7–8). This remained for the completed revelation of the new covenant. Unfortunately, this emphasis has become so dominant in Christian redemptive theology, there is the tendency to overlook the fact that the nt as well as the ot sees redemption, or salvation, in terms of the total human situation. Even a cursory reading of Luke’s Gospel will catch the reflection of the ot heritage in the concept of salvation.
The use of pādâ and its derivatives is sometimes paralleled by other roots. Particularly it should be noted that gāʾal is used synonymously. Both roots have to do with redemption by the payment of ransom though it is suggested that gāʾal basically is associated with family situations; hence, the idea of acting as kinsman. Nevertheless, the usage of both pādâ and gāʾal in parallelisms in Hos 13:14 and Jer 31:11, and the synonymous usage in Lev 27:27 et al. illustrate the overlapping of the two words. Also, of the ninety-nine times the LXX uses the verb lutroō, forty-five times it translates the root gāʾal and forty-three times the root pādâ.
The word kāpar sometimes parallels pādâ as in Ps 49:8 and Ex 21:30. The root kāpar means “to appease, to make an atonement,” and the koper is the ransom paid to secure favor or reconciliation.
pādâ occurs in parallelism with nāsal (Jer 15:21) and mālaṭ (Job 6:23), both of which mean “to deliver.” In fact, pādâ is sometimes translated “deliver” (as in Ps 44:26 [H 17]; 55:18 [H 19]), because the idea of payment recedes into the background and the emphasis is upon release.
While it may be said that the price of redemption in the Exodus is the firstborn of Egypt (Ex 12:13), there is no indication of ransom price in other contexts. In the nt, however, the Scriptures are clear: “You know that you were ransomed … with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (I Pet 1:18–19). (Coker, W. B. (1999). 1734 פָּדָה. (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke, Eds.)Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press.)
17:16–27. David’s prayer of response to the covenant promise is also virtually the same in Chronicles and Samuel (cf. 2 Sam. 7:18–29). Notable in Chronicles is an emphasis on David’s exalted position (1 Chron. 17:17), a theme which is in keeping with the general tenor of the book. (For the content of David’s prayer, vv. 16–27, see comments on 2 Sam. 7:18–29.) (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 607). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Vers. 16–27.—David’s prayer and thanksgiving, which indicates teaching of deep significance and far-reaching promise. Sat (cf. 2 Sam. 7:18–29). House, dynasty, family—i.e., from David onward in remote future. Knowest (ver. 18), therefore no necessity for further expression of gratitude [Keil]. Servants for thy word’s sake (2 Sam. 7). Heart, all attributed to divine mercy. Let be estab. (ver. 24). Rather “And let thy name be established and magnified for ever;” that is to say, Let not only thy promise stand firm, but let thy name also stand firm (continue to be held in honour) and be magnified, &c. [Speak. Com.]. To bless (ver. 27). it hath pleased thee (marg). “For thou, O Lord, but blessed it, and may it be blessed for ever” (cf. 2 Sam. 7:29). (Wolfendale, J. (1892). I & II Chronicles (p. 78). New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company.)
16–27. For the sake of shortness, I must again refer the Reader to the Commentary on this conduct of David, as it is written on the 7th chapter of the 2nd book of Samuel. In addition to what is there observed, I would only subjoin, that the reply of David to the Lord, concerning the Lord’s having spoken of a great while to come, evidently proves, that by faith David was looking forward to the accomplishment of the divine promises in Christ Jesus. Peter, in his sermon, under the Holy Ghost’s influence, shews this, when he said, David being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ. Acts 2:30, 31. Is not the argument which David makes use of, when he saith, for thy servant’s sake, made with an eye to Christ? And if so, how beautiful a view doth it afford of David’s faith in Jesus; as well as his dependance upon the covenant love of the Father; when he adds, according to thine own heart. Reader! these are precious things to glean, as we go, in the field of the Old Testament scriptures. In confirmation yet more, let me beg the Reader to compare what is here said of Jehovah’s servant, with what in the parallel passage, is said on the same account, 2 Sam. 7. Here David argues for Jehovah’s servant’s sake. And there it is, for thy Word’s sake. And what is the fair conclusion from both, but this, that the Lord Jesus Christ is both the Servant of Jehovah in his human nature, and in his Mediatorial office; and in his divine nature the Uncreated Word, as God. And as such is frequently in the scriptures spoken of under both, and by either. Isa. 42:1; John 1:1; Rev. 19:13. I must not enlarge further on this sweet chapter. I have already exceeded the limits I intended. But as the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to give his approbation, in having this feature in the life of David drawn again in this book of the Chronicles, added to what he had given the church in the 2nd book of Samuel, what I have ventured to add in this place may not be improper, under an humble hope that he will bless it to the Reader. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 376). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software)
But principally, and above all, Reader, do not fail to observe how much of Jesus and his finished salvation is in this passage. The Lord Jehovah then said to the patriarch; I tell thee that the Lord will build thee an house. I will raise up thy seed. He shall build me an house. And I will establish his throne for ever. And what is it now? Blessed be Jehovah; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the glorious Covenanters, the gracious Fulfillers. The Son of God is come. He hath tabernacled among us. He hath built his house. He hath hewn out his seven pillars. He hath (as the Wisdom, Image of the Invisible God) killed his beasts, mingled his wine, and furnished his table. And having obtained eternal redemption, by his blood and righteousness, he is now entered into the temple not made with hands, but into heaven itself, there to appear in the presence of God for us. Hail! thou Jehovah Jesus, Lord of all! All power is thine in heaven and on earth. In thee the souls of all thy redeemed ones rejoice. And of the increase of thy government and peace there shall be no end; upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment, and with justice, from henceforth, even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, pp. 376–377). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Infallible Proofs
“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)
To the first Christians, faith in the deity of Christ was not a blind leap into the dark. Only God could defeat death, and they knew—beyond all doubt—that Jesus Christ had risen bodily from the tomb. They had seen Him, touched Him, and eaten with Him, alone and in crowds, in closed rooms, and out in the open.
The term “infallible proofs” translates a Greek word used only this one time, meaning literally “many criteria of certainty,” and it is significant that the inspired Word of God applies it only to the resurrection of Christ. It is not too much to say that Christ’s resurrection is the most certain fact in all history, and many large volumes have been published setting forth the evidences thereof. No wonder the apostle Peter could say, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
The apostle John testified thus: “The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us” (1 John 1:2). John not only saw Him in His resurrection body, but also in His glorified body, hearing Him say, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (Revelation 1:18).
It is true that we, like the first Christians, must believe on Christ to receive salvation, but this faith is not a credulous faith, a leap into the dark. It is a reasonable faith, based on many infallible proofs, and we can, therefore, trust Him with our eternal souls. (HMM, Institute of Creation Research)
Looking forward to the Messiah, Isaiah writes: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance” (55:1-2). Then John, looking back to the Messiah, picks up the same theme: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (v. 17). (Quiet Walk)
Strong into the Night
He who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. PROVERBS 29:25
In September 1939, Great Britain allied with France and several other alarmed countries in declaring war on Hitler’s Germany, which had invaded Poland in its intended march toward global domination. By the end of the year, anxieties throughout England remained on high alert; everyone was fearful of bombing and invasion.
When King George VI sat down before two large microphones to make his Christmas Day speech to the nation, he was dressed in his official uniform as Admiral of the Fleet. With so many parts of the world facing an uncertain future, his goal was to reassure the people that their nation was prepared and able and their cause right and just.
“A new year is at hand,” the king said. “We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle, we shall remain undaunted.”
Then, turning to some lines of poetry his wife had recently shared with him, he concluded his speech with these words, which are a fitting close to our year together. They offer a word of encouragement that—we hope—will settle your hearts amid the troubles of our own era in history. These lines are from “The Gate of the Year,” a poem written in 1908 by Minnie Louise Haskins:
I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied, “Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!” (Moments with You Couples Devotional by Dennis and Barbra Rainey)
1 Kings 1
God grants Solomon wisdom
INSIGHT
Solomon’s heart is manifested by the purity of his prayer. He could have asked for a long life; he could have asked for riches and honor. But instead Solomon asks simply for wisdom. What an honest and unselfish prayer.
Being honest with God is not as easy as we might think. We all tend to live life with masks on-behind which the real “us” hides-to make a better impression on people.
How foolish! God sees behind the mask-as do most people. We can learn from Solomon. God is pleased with honest, transparent prayers. (Quiet Walk)
The Secret of the Lord
“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” (Psalm 25:14)
This is an amazing promise. The word for “secret” means the “inner counsel,” evidently of the triune God Himself.
But how can those who fear the Lord really know the secret counsels of the Godhead? The answer can only be by divine revelation to God’s prophets. Thus, the prophet Amos affirms: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but [unless] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
When these ancient promises were given, however, much of God’s revelation, though already “settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89), was still not revealed to men. Then Christ came and promised His disciples, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost…shall teach you all things” (John 14:26).
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). In addition to the 12 disciples, God then also called the apostle Paul, and through these men the Son would convey to those who fear Him all the rest of His revelation. “By revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (…Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:3-5).
Finally, “the secret of the LORD” was completed in written form by John, the last of the apostles, with nothing else to be either added or deleted (Revelation 22:18-19), that “the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets” (Revelation 10:7). All we shall ever need to know of God’s eternal counsels is now available to all who desire to know, in the Holy Scriptures.
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
From Facebook: Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what. (Ann Madill)
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