John Trapp
1 Chronicles 17

Verse 1

1 Chronicles 17:1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under curtains.

Now it came to pass. This is a notable chapter, full of divine doctrine: but it is the same, word for word almost, with 2 Sam. 7. See the notes there.

Verses 11-14

1 Chronicles 17:11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go [to be] with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 17:12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

1 Chronicles 17:13 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 thee:

1 Chronicles 17:14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

An excellent text and testimony both for the person of Christ and for his kingdom. Note this both against the Papists, who deny the perfection of the holy Scriptures; and the Anabaptists, who deny that the Old Testament ought to be read: for who can rightly understand why and how Christ is called the son of David, unless he read this chapter?

Verse 16

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?

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.

Verse 18

1 Chronicles 17:18 What can David [speak] more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

For thou knowest thy servant, i.e. Thou knowest the thankfulness of my mind, which indeed is inexpressible.

Verse 25

1 Chronicles 17:25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found [in his heart] to pray before thee.

Hast told thy servant. Heb. Hast revealed or uncovered the ear of thy servant, i.e., thou hast in a most familiar manner imparted it: thou hast also accurately declared it unto me, bidding me, as it were, to put up my hat from mine ear, lest it should hinder me from hearing thy words unto me.

Verse 27

1 Chronicles 17:27 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.

Now therefore let it please thee. Or, It hath pleased thee. Compare 2 Sam. 7:29. Prayers are often made in faith as if they were already done.

For thou blessest, O Lord. His often mentioning of God in this holy prayer is an evidence of strong affiance in God, and of his great affection to him, as is well observed.