1 Chronicles 17 26

1 Chronicles 17:26 kjv

And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

1 Chronicles 17:26 nkjv

And now, LORD, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant.

1 Chronicles 17:26 niv

You, LORD, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant.

1 Chronicles 17:26 esv

And now, O LORD, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

1 Chronicles 17:26 nlt

For you are God, O LORD. And you have promised these good things to your servant.

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 26 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:26 is part of David's prayer of thanksgiving after God, through Nathan, establishes the Davidic Covenant. David declares God's very nature as the supreme Deity and affirms the absolute reliability of the gracious promise given to him concerning his royal dynasty. This verse serves as David's foundational acknowledgment of God's identity and His unwavering commitment to His spoken word.

1 Chronicles 17 26 Context

1 Chronicles 17:26 is found within David's profound prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord, immediately following Nathan's pivotal prophecy. Prior to this, David had expressed his desire to build a permanent temple for God (1 Chr 17:1-2). However, God, through Nathan, tells David that He will not have David build a house for Him (because David had shed much blood, as explained elsewhere), but instead, God Himself will build a "house" for David – a perpetual dynasty and a sure kingdom (1 Chr 17:4-15). This divine promise is the foundational "goodness" that David references in verse 26. The Chronicler emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and faithful provision for the Davidic lineage, upon which the future of Israel and its worship revolves. This covenant underscores God's grace, contrasting with any human achievement. It also subtly counters Ancient Near Eastern beliefs where kings often asserted their own divine authority or ability to establish lasting legacies; here, David humbles himself, recognizing YHWH as the sole Giver of all good things, including his kingdom's stability.

1 Chronicles 17 26 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה, wə‘attah):
  • A transitional conjunctive particle.
  • Indicates a shift in focus from reviewing God's past and prophetic actions to the current moment of prayer and a logical conclusion or appeal based on what has just been revealed.
  • It points to the immediacy of David's prayer and its foundation in the recent divine pronouncement.
• O LORD (יהוה, YHWH):
  • The sacred, ineffable covenant name of God, revealing His personal and relational character.
  • It emphasizes God's self-existence and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises.
  • Distinct from generic terms for "god," highlighting the specific identity of the God of Israel.
• thou art God (אֱלֹהִים אַתָּה, ’ĕlōhîm ’attah):
  • A direct, emphatic affirmation of God's unique and ultimate divine nature.
  • ’ělōhîm signifies God as the mighty Creator, sovereign ruler, and judge of the universe.
  • David acknowledges God's unparalleled status and power as the true Deity, distinguishing Him from all false gods.
  • It declares His essence as fully divine, not just possessing divine attributes.
• and hast promised (וַתְּדַבֵּר, wattedabēr):
  • Literally means "and you have spoken."
  • Highlights the verbal, declarative nature of God's commitment. God's promises are not mere intentions but authoritative pronouncements.
  • Emphasizes the reliability and certainty of His word, which is immutable and potent.
• this goodness (הַטּוֹבָה הַזֹּאת, hattôvâ hazzō’t):
  • Refers specifically to the content of the divine covenant just delivered by Nathan (1 Chr 17:10-14).
  • Tovah encompasses blessings, welfare, favor, and benefit.
  • The "goodness" here is the establishment of David's royal house and kingdom forever, a remarkable act of unmerited grace.
• unto thy servant (אֶל עַבְדֶּךָ, ’el ‘avdeka):
  • David's self-identification, reflecting humility and acknowledging his subordinate relationship to God.
  • "Servant" (עֶבֶד, ‘eved) is an honorific title for someone chosen and commissioned by God for a specific purpose (e.g., Moses, Abraham, David).
  • It emphasizes that the "goodness" is not earned but a gracious gift given to one who is committed to God's service.

Words-group analysis:

• "And now, O LORD, thou art God": This opening phrase transitions David's contemplation into direct address. It sets the foundation of his prayer on God's intrinsic nature and eternal existence as the sovereign Deity, providing the ultimate guarantee for the truthfulness and reliability of His words. It's a statement of theological bedrock.
• "and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant": This part specifies the object and recipient of God's action. It underlines the grace of God, who, in His divine sovereignty, initiated this magnificent promise (the Davidic Covenant) to a humble human being, highlighting God's faithfulness and kindness.

1 Chronicles 17 26 Bonus section

• Chronicler's Theology: The Chronicler places significant emphasis on God's initiative in establishing the Davidic covenant. While David desired to build a house for God (temple), God declared that He would build David a house (dynasty). This reversal highlights God's sovereignty and grace, positioning God as the ultimate provider of kingdom stability, not human effort. This perspective was crucial for a post-exilic community that needed to trust in God's promises even when their own circumstances seemed dire.
• Messianic Expectation: While referring immediately to Solomon and subsequent kings, the "everlasting" nature of the covenant hinted at a future, ultimate Davidic king. This prophetic dimension of "this goodness" finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom is indeed eternal (Lk 1:32-33; Rom 1:3-4).
• Polemic against Paganism: By explicitly declaring "O LORD, thou art God," David makes a clear polemic against the polytheistic environments of the Ancient Near East. In contrast to fleeting pagan deities or king-cults, YHWH is affirmed as the one true, living, and eternally faithful God. David's response exemplifies monotheistic devotion in a pluralistic world.

1 Chronicles 17 26 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:26 captures the heart of David's faith and proper theological response to a divine revelation. Having just received the extraordinary Davidic Covenant, which promises an enduring dynasty through his offspring and an everlasting kingdom, David's first and most profound response is an affirmation of God's character. He begins by proclaiming, "O LORD, thou art God," grounding his entire prayer and his hope in the unchanging reality of who YHWH is. This is not a mere statement but an act of worship, declaring the absolute sovereignty, truth, and unique divine nature of God, contrasting Him with all other claimants to deity.

Following this fundamental declaration, David points directly to the promise itself: "and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant." This underscores God's active involvement in human affairs and His unyielding commitment to His word. The promise of an eternal house for David was an unmerited gift, described as "goodness" because it provided stability, a continuous lineage, and a hope for the future Messiah. David's use of "servant" demonstrates humility and positions himself as recipient of grace, not a demanding monarch. This verse powerfully teaches that the certainty of God's promises rests not on the merit of the recipient, but solely on the character of the Giver.

• Practical Usage: This verse models how our prayers should be founded:
  1. On God's Nature: Recognize who God is—sovereign, faithful, true, all-powerful.
  2. On God's Word: Acknowledge and appeal to His specific promises, trusting that He will perform what He has spoken.
  3. In Humility: Approach Him as His servant, reliant on His grace. When facing uncertain times, anchoring our prayers and hopes in the immutable truth of God and His dependable promises is paramount.