Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
David offers to build a permanent dwelling place for the ark. God rejects his proposal, but lets David know that he will have a son that will build the Temple. David then prays to God.
II. Photo
God addresses David in v. 7: “Thus said the LORD of Hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be ruler of My people Israel.”
III. Important Verses
vv. 1-2: When David settled in his palace, David said to the prophet Nathan, “Here I am dwelling in a house of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD is under tent-cloths.” Nathan said to David, “Do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you.”
vv. 3-6: But that same night the word of God came to Nathan: “Go and say to My servant David: Thus said the LORD: You are not the one to build a house for Me to dwell in. From the day that I brought out Israel to this day, I have not dwelt in a house, but have [gone] from tent to tent and from one Tabernacle [to another]. As I moved about wherever Israel went, did I ever reproach any of the judges of Israel whom I appointed to care for My people Israel: Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?
vv. 11-14: When your days are done and you follow your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingship. He shall build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to Me, but I will never withdraw My favor from him as I withdrew it from your predecessor. I will install him in My house and in My kingship forever, and his throne shall be established forever.
vv. 20-21: O LORD, there is none like You, and there is no other God but You, as we have always heard. And who is like Your people Israel, a unique nation on earth, whom God went and redeemed as His people, winning renown for Yourself for great and marvelous deeds, driving out nations before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt.
IV. Outline
1-2. David plans to build the Temple
3-15. God rejects David’s offer, but promises that his son will build it
16-27. David’s prayer
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
De Vries, Simon J. “1 and 2 Chronicles,” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1989).
Photo taken from http://www.hsus.org/web-files/People_and_Animals/184x265_shepherd_istock.jpg
