Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 17:16
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who [am] I, O LORD God, and what [is] mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
16. And came ] R.V. Then went in (as Sam.), i.e. into the tent which he had pitched for the ark; 1Ch 16:1.
sat before the Lord ] So LXX. and 2Sa 7:18. The Targ. rightly paraphrases, “and tarried in prayer before Jehovah.” The same use of the verb “sit” to imply continuance is found in the Creeds; in which it is said that Christ “sitteth” on the right hand of the Father.
hitherto ] R.V. thus far.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
1Ch 17:16
Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?
The greatness of Divine favours
I. They infinitely surpass human desert.
II. They fill all times from remotest past to distant future.
III. They spring from sovereign mercy.
IV. They are beyond all human comprehension. (J. P. Lange.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 16. And what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?] I am not of any regal family, and have no natural right to the throne.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Sat before the Lord; which may note either his gesture, or his continuance there till he had finished this following prayer.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. David the king . . . sat beforethe Lord, and said(See on 2Sa7:18).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
See Gill “1Ch 17:1”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| David’s Grateful Acknowledgment. | B. C. 1042. |
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 thou hast brought me hitherto? 17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God. 18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant. 19 O LORD, for thy servant’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. 20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt? 22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God. 23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said. 24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee. 25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him a house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee. 26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 27 Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.
We have here David’s solemn address to God, in answer to the gracious message he had now received from him. By faith he receives the promises, embraces them, and is persuaded of them, as the patriarchs, Heb. xi. 13. How humbly does he here abase himself, and acknowledge his own unworthiness! How highly does he advance the name of God and admire his condescending grace and favour! With what devout affections does he magnify the God of Israel and what a value has he for the Israel of God! With what assurance does he build upon the promise, and with what a lively faith does he put it in suit! What an example is this to us of humble, believing, fervent prayer! The Lord enable us all thus to seek him! These things were largely observed, 2 Sam. vii. We shall therefore here observe only those few expressions in which the prayer, as we find it here, differs from the record of it there, and has something added to it.
I. That which is there expressed by way of question (Is this the manner of men, O Lord God?) is here an acknowledgment: “Thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree. Thou hast made me a great man, and then treated me accordingly.” God, by the covenant-relations into which he admits believers, the titles he gives them, the favours he bestows on them, and the preparations he has made for them, regards them according to the estate of men of high degree, though they are mean and vile. Having himself distinguished them, he treats them as persons of distinction, according to the quality he has been pleased to put upon them. Some give these words here another reading: “Thou hast looked upon me in the form of a man who art in the highest, the Lord God; or, Thou hast made me to see according to the form of a man the majesty of the Lord God.” And so it points at the Messiah; for, as Abraham, so David, saw his day and was glad, saw it by faith, saw it in fashion as a man, the Word made flesh, and yet saw his glory as that of the only-begotten of the Father. And this was that which God spoke concerning his house for a great while to come, the foresight of which affected him more than any thing. And let it not be thought strange that David should speak so plainly of the two natures of Christ who in spirit called him Lord, though he knew he was to be his Son (Ps. cx. 1), and foresaw him lower than the angels for a little while, but afterwards crowned with glory and honour,Heb 2:6; Heb 2:7.
II. After the words What can David say more unto thee, it is here added, for the honour of they servant? v. 18. Note, The honour God puts upon his servants, by taking them into covenant and communion with himself, is so great that they need not, they cannot, desire to be more highly honoured. Were they to sit down and wish, they could not speak more for their own honour than the word of God has spoken.
III. It is very observable that what in Samuel is said to be for thy word’s sake is here said to be for thy servant’s sake, v. 19. Jesus Christ is both the Word of God (Rev. xix. 13) and the servant of God (Isa. xlii. 1), and it is for his sake, upon the score of his meditation, that the promises are both made and made good to all believers; it is in him that they are yea and amen. For his sake is all kindness done, for his sake it is made known; to him we owe all this greatness and from him we are to expect all these great things; they are the unsearchable riches of Christ, which, if by faith we see in themselves and see in the hand of the Lord Jesus, we cannot but magnify as great things, the only true greatness, and speak honourably of accordingly.
IV. In Samuel, the Lord of hosts is said to be the God over Israel; here he is said to be the God of Israel, even a God to Israel, v. 24. His being the God of Israel bespeaks his having the name of their God and so calling himself; his being a God to Israel bespeaks his answering to the name, his filling up the relation, and doing all that to them which might be expected from him. There were those that were called gods of such and such nations, gods of Assyria and Egypt, gods of Hamad and Arpad; but they were no gods to them, for they stood them in no stead at all, were mere ciphers, nothing but a name. But the God of Israel is a God to Israel; all his attributes and perfections redound to their real benefit and advantage. Happy therefore, thrice happy, is the people whose God is Jehovah; for he will be a God to them, a God all-sufficient.
V. The closing words in Samuel are, With thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever. That is the language of a holy desire. But the closing words here are the language of a most holy faith: For thou blessest, O Lord! and it shall be blessed for ever, v. 27. 1. He was encouraged to beg a blessing because God had intimated to him that he had blessings in store for him and his family: “Thou blessest, O Lord! and therefore unto thee shall all flesh come for a blessing; unto thee do I come for the blessing promised to me.” Promises are intended to direct and excite prayer. Has God said, I will bless? Let our hearts answer, Lord, bless me, 2. He was earnest for the blessing because he believed that those whom God blesses are truly and eternally blessed: Thou blessest, and it shall be blessed. Men can but beg the blessing; it is God that commands it. What he designs he effects; what he promises he performs; saying and doing are not two things with him. Nay, it shall be blessed for ever. His blessings shall not be revoked, cannot be opposed, and the benefits conferred by them are such as will survive time and days. David’s prayer concludes as God’s promise did (v. 14) with that which is for ever. God’s word looks at things eternal, and so should our desires and hopes.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
see note on: 2Sa 7:18
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(16) Sat before the Lord.In the tent of the Ark.
And said.Comp. Psalms 18, title.
Who am I.The longer form of the pronoun I is used in Samuel (anokh; here an).
O Lord God.Heb., Jehovah Elohim. Samuel has Adonai Jehovah, which is more original. David addresses God as my Lord, Jehovah; just as in 1Ch. 17:4; 1Ch. 17:7, God speaks of David as my servant. (Comp. the frequent style of the Assyrian kings, who speak of their wars as undertaken in the service of the gods their lords.)
Mine house.My family.
Hitherto.To this pitch of greatness. With this and the next verse, compare Davids last words (2Sa. 23:5).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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 (2Sa 7 ). 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, shows 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, spoke of the resurrection of Christ. Act 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 dependence 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, 2Sa 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 ; Joh 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.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 17:16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who [am] I, O LORD God, and what [is] mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
Ver. 16. And sat before the Lord. ] Or, Abode before the Lord, as the Jewish doctors render it: who hold also that men ought to pray standing: for so, say they, do the holy angels.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Who am I? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. See notes on 2Sa 7:18.
hitherto = to this point.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Ch 17:16-27
1Ch 17:16-27
DAVID’S PRAYER OF RESPONSE
“Then David the king went in, and sat before Jehovah; and said, Who am I, O Jehovah God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far? And this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; but thou hast spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Jehovah God. What can David say yet more unto thee concerning the honor which is done to thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant. O Jehovah, for thy servant’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou wrought all this greatness, to make known all these great things. O Jehovah, there is none like thee, neither is there any god besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears, and what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem unto himself for a people, to make thee a name by great and terrible things, in driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou redeemedst out of Egypt? For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people forever; and thou Jehovah becamest their God. And now, O Jehovah, let the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as thou hast spoken. And let thy name be established and magnified forever, saying, Jehovah of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and the house of David thy servant is established before thee. For thou, O my God, hast revealed to thy servant that thou wilt build him a house: therefore hast thy servant found in his heart to pray before thee. And now, O Jehovah, thou art God, and hast promised this good thing unto thy servant: and now it hath pleased thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Jehovah, hast blessed, and it is blessed for ever.”
These verses are parallel to 2Sa 7:18-29; and, “The Chronicler followed his source quite closely, with insignificant variations.”
We have written three pages of comments on these verses in our Commentary on 2Samuel, pp. 85-97.
There is a strong likelihood that David, at first, understood that “house” which the Lord said would be built as a reference to the physical temple later erected by Solomon; but there is every reason to believe that David later realized that the promise included the coming of one much Greater than Solomon, that the true temple of God was in heaven, and that God’s Israel was in no manner whatever limited to any race of men.
The Messianic promises of the Psalms, especially in many of them that were written by David, abundantly prove this ultimate understanding on David’s part.
The critical notion that this text teaches that Solomon would be the builder of that promised “house” is effectively refuted by 1Ch 17:25, above, in which David made it crystal clear that he understood the builder of that house to be, not Solomon, or any other mortal, but God Himself.
E.M. Zerr:
1Ch 17:16-19. Gratitude is again expressed by David for the great attention God gave to him. He was humble and felt unworthy of such favors. He was unselfish also in that he appreciated the promises that were to be fulfilled after his death.
1Ch 17:20. In those days of prevailing idolatry it was especially appropriate to contrast the God of Israel with all the heathen gods.
1Ch 17:21. Two great events in the history of the children of Israel are referred to; deliverance from Egypt and settling in Canaan. Both required a powerful hand, for Egypt was a strong nation and Canaan was being usurped by strong idolatrous nations. God took his chosen race and gave them success over all foes. A name … terribleness. The second word is from the same Hebrew word as “reverend” in Psa 111:9. One meaning of it is, “to revere.” The expression means to respect the name of God. It is true also that the name of God means something terrible in the common sense of the word, to those who will not respect it. The heathen nations learned to their sorrow how terrible it was to show disrespect for the holy name of God.
1Ch 17:22. In the general sense of the word ever, God designed Israel to be his people to the end of that age. In an extended and moral sense, he offered to make them his beloved possession endlessly on condition of their faithfulness to him.
1Ch 17:23. David gladly submitted to the plans of the Lord, and connected himself with the house that was to be built. That is, he regarded his own honor as being bound up with that of the house.
1Ch 17:24. The worthy motive of David’s wish was that God’s name might be magnified. His own glory was not important, but it was more desirable to have the glory of God’s name become manifest to the idolatrous nations.
1Ch 17:25-27. The promises of God gave David the heart to offer this prayer. That principle is true today with the true servants of God. By the same token we may justly conclude that when a professed follower of the Lord does not have the heart to pray, it is because he does not believe the promises made by the. Lord.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
sat before: 2Sa 7:18, 2Ki 19:14
Who am I: Gen 32:10, Psa 144:3, Eph 3:8
what is: Jdg 6:15, 1Sa 9:21
that thou hast: Gen 48:15, Gen 48:16, 1Sa 7:12, Act 26:22, 2Co 1:10
Reciprocal: Eze 46:2 – he shall worship
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 17:16. Who am I? &c. We have here Davids solemn address to God, in answer to his gracious message. How humbly does he here abase himself, and acknowledge his own unworthiness! How highly does he advance the name of God, and admire his condescending favour! With what devout affections does he magnify the God of Israel: with what assurance build upon the promise! What an example this of believing, fervent prayer! The Lord enable us all thus to seek him!
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
17:16 And David the king {m} came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who [am] I, O LORD God, and what [is] mine house, that thou hast brought me {n} hitherto?
(m) He went into the tent where the Ark was, showing what we should do when we receive any benefits from the Lord.
(n) Meaning to this kingly estate.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
David’s response to God’s promises 17:16-27
David manifested attitudes of humility (1Ch 17:16) and trust (1Ch 17:27) in his prayer. Most of what he prayed was thanksgiving for what God had promised (1Ch 17:20-27).
"The erection of the temple was an assertion of the divine control over the political and religious life of the state (1Ch 17:22)." [Note: Thompson, p. 145.]
David’s response was a model for the returned exiles, and it is for us.