1 Chronicles 17:1-30

E. God’s Covenant Promises to David chs. 17-29

The dominating theme in 1 Chronicles is the Davidic Covenant, the receiving of which was the most important event in David’s life. God promised to give him an eternal kingdom, and He formalized that promise by making a covenant with him. The writer repeated three times that David’s descendants would be God’s instruments for bringing salvation to the nations.

The Chronicler referred to the Davidic Covenant seven times in his book (1 Chronicles 17:11-14; 1 Chronicles 22:8-13; 1 Chronicles 28:6-7; 2 Chronicles 6:8-9; 2 Chronicles 6:16; 2 Chronicles 7:17-18; 2 Chronicles 13:5; 2 Chronicles 21:7). Many students of Chronicles have regarded the Davidic Covenant as the heart of these books because it established David’s kingly line with promises that relate to the temple and the priesthood. The temple and the priesthood are two major themes of these books. God brought them under Davidic rule forever, as the Chronicler revealed. Another unifying theme is the steps taken toward the building of the temple.

"These include identification of the builder (ch. 17), the necessary political conditions (18-20), site (21), materials and plans (22, 28-29), and the personnel (the primary layer in 23-27)." [Note: Williamson, p. 132.]

1. The first account of God’s promises to David chs. 17-21

In some particulars, the promises God gave David related to him personally. However, other promises pertained to his descendants and, in particular, to one descendant who would do for Israel much more than David could do. In chapters 17-21 the emphasis is on the promises that related to David personally. The writer evidently wanted to establish God’s faithfulness in fulfilling these to encourage his readers to trust God to fulfill the yet unfulfilled promises concerning David’s great Son.

In 1 Chronicles 17:8, God promised David victory over his enemies. The writer recorded that victory in chapters 18-20. In 1 Chronicles 17:9-12, God promised David that He would establish a place for Israel and a place for Himself within Israel (1 Chronicles 17:12; cf. Deuteronomy 12:1-11). The Chronicler documented the selection of that place in chapter 21. These verses contain promises central to the Chronicler’s emphasis and purpose.