1 Chronicles 17 25

1 Chronicles 17:25 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 17:25 nkjv

For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray before You.

1 Chronicles 17:25 niv

"You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you.

1 Chronicles 17:25 esv

For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you.

1 Chronicles 17:25 nlt

"O my God, I have been bold enough to pray to you because you have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him ? a dynasty of kings!

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 25 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:25 articulates King David's profound understanding and acceptance of God's promise to establish an eternal dynasty for him. Having learned directly from God, through the prophet Nathan, that it would be God who builds a "house" (a perpetual royal lineage) for David, and not David who builds a "house" (a physical temple) for God, David is filled with renewed confidence and boldness to approach God in prayer. This verse captures David's humble realization that God's initiative and grace empowered his communion with the Divine.

1 Chronicles 17 25 Context

1 Chronicles 17 unfolds during a significant period in David's reign. Having established Jerusalem as his capital and brought the ark of the covenant there, David expresses a heartfelt desire to build a magnificent permanent temple for the Lord (v. 1). However, through the prophet Nathan, God delivers a surprising and profound message (v. 4-15). God rejects the idea of David building Him a "house" (temple) but instead promises that He (God) will build a "house" (a lasting dynasty) for David. This divine declaration, often called the Davidic Covenant, assures David of a perpetual throne, a successor, and an eternal kingdom. Verse 25 is David's response to this unparalleled grace and promise, expressing his newfound assurance and ability to approach God in humble, confident prayer because God initiated the building of his "house." It's a pivotal moment shifting focus from human endeavor to divine initiative.

1 Chronicles 17 25 Word analysis

• For You, O my God:
  • "For You" (כִּי־אַתָּה֙, ki-’attah): This opening phrase underscores the divine initiative and sovereignty. David immediately attributes the profound revelation and the basis of his confidence directly to God. It highlights that the entire covenant is God-ordained and God-centered.
  • "O my God" (אֱלֹהַי, Elohai): Emphasizes a deep, personal relationship between David and Yahweh. It’s not just "God," but "my God," indicating a covenantal and intimate bond. This personal address signals a heart of devotion and humility before the sovereign Creator.
• have revealed:
  • "revealed" (גָּלִ֣יתָ, galita): From the root גָּלָה (galah), meaning "to uncover," "disclose," "make bare," "reveal." This word implies that God voluntarily took the initiative to unveil His plan to David. It was not something David discovered or earned, but a truth divinely disclosed, suggesting God's intimate communication with His servant. This revelation of His purpose forms the bedrock of David's prayer.
• to Your servant:
  • "to Your servant" (לְעַבְדֶּ֔ךָ, le‘avdecha): David consistently refers to himself as God's "servant." This reflects profound humility, acknowledging his role and identity in relation to his Divine Master. It is not "to the king" but "to your servant," emphasizing devoted obedience and reliance on God, especially significant given David's royal status.
• that You will build him a house:
  • "that You will build" (לִבְנ֥וֹת, livnot): From the root בָּנָה (banah), meaning "to build." This stands in direct contrast to David's desire to build God a house. It accentuates God's power and intent to establish rather than relying on human effort.
  • "him a house" (בַּ֣יִת, bayit): The pivotal word in this context, carrying a double meaning used throughout 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Samuel 7. Initially, David wanted to build a house (physical temple) for God. Here, and as God promised earlier (v. 10), it unequivocally means a dynasty or royal lineage. This reversal is key: God will establish David's eternal family and kingdom, culminating in the Messiah.
• therefore Your servant has found courage to pray before You:
  • "therefore" (עַל־כֵּ֚ן, ‘al-ken): Indicates a direct consequence or result. Because God revealed His astounding plan and promise, a specific outcome follows.
  • "Your servant has found courage" (מָצָא עַבְדְּךָ לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל, matsa avdecha lehitpallal - though the LXX uses liphlor, implying "found occasion/heart to pray"; MT is lehitpalel - "to pray"): The Hebrew phrase "מָצָא עַבְדְּךָ לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל" literally means "your servant has found [it in himself/occasion] to pray." The nuance of "courage" or "boldness" comes from the implication that before such a great and unsolicited promise, David would not have dared to ask such things. God's amazing grace and specific promise emboldened David, giving him the confidence to address God directly and intimately, knowing that God has already initiated and guaranteed such magnificent things for him and his descendants. It suggests an assurance to enter into God’s presence with requests.
  • "to pray before You" (לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל לְפָנֶֽיךָ, lehitpallal lefanekha): "To pray" (lehitpalel) is reflexive, signifying earnest or self-directed prayer. "Before You" (lefanekha) signifies being in God's presence, highlighting the intimacy and directness of David's communication with the Almighty, confident in the covenant promise.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis:

• "For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant": This segment highlights the divine source and initiative of the revelation. It was not David seeking answers but God graciously revealing His plans to His humble servant. This establishes the context of grace and relationship before the promise is stated.
• "that You will build him a house": This phrase captures the essence of the Davidic Covenant – God's promise to establish a lasting dynasty for David, rather than David building a temple for God. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over human desires and His unparalleled commitment to His chosen king and ultimately, His Christ. It signifies a future that God Himself ensures.
• "therefore Your servant has found courage to pray before You": This shows the practical and spiritual consequence of receiving God's unmerited promise. Knowing God's fidelity and vast plan empowers David to pray with unreserved confidence and a boldness rooted not in his merit, but in God's grace and explicit word. It connects revelation directly to communion with God.

1 Chronicles 17 25 Bonus section

The Chronicler's specific phrasing in 1 Chronicles 17:25 ("has found courage to pray") offers a slight nuance compared to the parallel 2 Samuel 7:27 ("has found heart to pray"). While both convey the idea of empowerment and willingness, the "courage" emphasis in Chronicles highlights the astounding nature of God's promise to David. For David, a king, to feel the need for "courage" to approach God underscores the overwhelming magnitude of the Davidic Covenant. This promise, which ensured an unbroken line of kings leading to the Messiah, was so grand and unsolicited that it required a spiritual boldness on David's part to even accept and respond in prayer. It emphasizes that truly understanding God's unfathomable grace should ignite audacious faith in the believer. The passage also foregrounds God's agency ("You... have revealed," "You will build"), reinforcing the Chronicler's theological emphasis on divine sovereignty and faithfulness in the establishment and preservation of the Davidic line.

1 Chronicles 17 25 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:25 marks the spiritual zenith of David's response to the Davidic Covenant. After initially desiring to build God a house, David comprehends the magnificent reversal: God promises to build David a "house," an eternal dynasty. This divine initiative fills David with a profound, yet humble, confidence. He realizes that God's unsolicited grace and explicit word provide the foundation for direct and fervent prayer. It's a prayer born of security in God's faithfulness, not a plea born of desperation or unworthiness. David's boldness stems from recognizing God's active involvement in his future. This serves as a powerful reminder that our ability to approach God with confidence is rooted in His revealed character and promises, empowering us to draw near because of what He has already done and promised to do.For practical usage, this verse illustrates that understanding God's revealed will and His commitment to His promises frees us from self-reliance and fear in prayer, leading to genuine, bold communion with Him. When we know God's "building" promises, our petitions shift from hesitant asking to confident reception, aligning our hearts with His.