1 Chronicles 17 3

1 Chronicles 17:3 kjv

And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

1 Chronicles 17:3 nkjv

But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

1 Chronicles 17:3 niv

But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

1 Chronicles 17:3 esv

But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,

1 Chronicles 17:3 nlt

But that same night God said to Nathan,

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 3 Meaning

1 Chronicles 17:3 reveals that immediately following Nathan the prophet's affirmation of David's desire to build a temple for God, a direct, divine communication intervened. That same night, God's authoritative word came to Nathan, specifically countering his initial human counsel to David and preparing to unfold His own perfect plan for the king and his lineage. This signifies God's active involvement, divine sovereignty, and the immediacy of His revelatory correction to His chosen messenger.

1 Chronicles 17 3 Context

1 Chronicles 17:3 is a pivotal moment following King David's expressed desire to build a permanent temple for the Lord. In the preceding verses (1 Chronicles 17:1-2), David, seeing his own comfortable house, felt it improper that the Ark of the Covenant still resided in a tent. He shared this thought with Nathan the prophet, who, relying on his own understanding and what seemed good and logical ("Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you"), affirmed David's intent. However, Nathan's approval was human judgment, not divine revelation. This verse marks the immediate divine correction to Nathan, demonstrating God's ultimate authority and meticulous plan. Historically, this account occurs during the height of David's reign, when Israel was unified and prosperous, making the building of a central sanctuary a logical next step from a human perspective, but God's plan differed significantly.

1 Chronicles 17 3 Word analysis

• But: Introduces a significant shift or counterpoint. It highlights a divine intervention that overrides human reasoning or intention, even that of a prophet.
• that same night: (Hebrew: לַיְלָה, laylah) The swiftness and immediacy are striking. The revelation came that very night after Nathan's pronouncement, underscoring God's urgent and decisive action to clarify His will. Night often signifies a time for dreams, visions, and solemn, significant divine encounters, emphasizing the profound nature of this revelation.
• the word of God: (Hebrew: דְּבַר הָאֱלֹהִים, devar ha'Elohim) This phrase signifies a direct, authoritative, and powerful communication emanating from the Almighty Creator. It is not an opinion, a suggestion, or a dream that needs interpretation, but a clear divine mandate. The use of "Elohim" (God), a majestic plural, speaks to God's ultimate power and transcendence.
• came to: (Hebrew: הָיָה, hayah - "it came to be," "happened to") This verb implies an undeniable and certain event, an active arrival or manifestation of God's word to the prophet.
• Nathan: The prophet, previously seen as conveying divine insight. This verse shows that even God's chosen vessels for prophecy are subject to correction when their human thoughts deviate from the divine plan. Nathan's receptivity underscores his submission to God.
• saying: Indicates direct speech, meaning the ensuing message from God was explicit and articulated, not a vague impression.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But that same night": This abrupt transition highlights the immediate and sovereign interruption of human planning by divine intervention. It conveys urgency and the precision of God's timing in redirecting events according to His will, showing He does not delay in clarifying His plans.
• "the word of God came to Nathan": This phrase emphasizes the source and recipient of the divine message. It clarifies that what follows is not Nathan's previous human advice but a direct, unimpeachable revelation from God Himself. It reinforces God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and His method of communicating through His chosen prophets.

1 Chronicles 17 3 Bonus section

The swiftness of God's correction of Nathan highlights His profound care for the purity of His revelation and the integrity of His chosen messengers. It also showcases the Lord's active oversight over His covenant relationship with David, ensuring that all plans concerning the Davidic dynasty and the future temple were ultimately initiated and designed by Him alone. This event sets the stage for the crucial Davidic Covenant (1 Chron 17:7-15), where God, not David, dictates the terms and makes profound, unilateral promises about David's house and kingdom. It reminds believers that seeking God's specific will through humble prayer and seeking His Word is paramount, as human endeavors, however well-intentioned, must align with divine decree.

1 Chronicles 17 3 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:3 serves as a profound reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and His precise unfolding of His divine plan. David, out of noble intent, and Nathan, through well-meaning counsel, presumed upon God's will. However, the divine "but" introduces an immediate and categorical correction. God did not delay in clarifying His purpose, communicating directly to Nathan, His prophet. This instantaneous divine intervention demonstrates that God's plan is not open for human amendment or presumption, no matter how devout or logically sound the human reasoning might appear. It emphasizes that prophetic authority, though significant, remains subordinate to God's direct revelation. God's word is living, active, and unerringly precise, overriding any human pronouncement, even that of a faithful prophet, when it deviates from His perfect counsel.