1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 17: A Son in God's kingdom forever

Begin in prayer

Before we read God's promise to David, let us turn to the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that His kingdom lasts forever, and to lead us to Jesus, the Son of David.

His offspring will endure forever, his throne like the sun before me. It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”

Psalm 89:36-37

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your kingdom lasts forever, and show us Jesus, the Son of David, who sits on its throne. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David lived in a cedar house, but the ark of the LORD's covenant was in a tent (verse 1). Nathan said to do all that was in his heart, but that night God sent a different word (verses 2 to 4). God had never asked for a cedar house, and He took David from the sheep pen to be prince (verse 7). God then promised to build David a house, a line of kings, and to set up his son (verses 10 and 11). This son would be settled in God's house and kingdom forever (verses 12 to 14). David went in, sat before the LORD, and prayed with thanks and wonder (verses 16 to 27).

As you read 1 Chronicles 17, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The kingdom is God's own, and He will settle David's Son in it forever.

David noticed that he lived in a cedar house while the ark of God sat in a tent (verse 1). Nathan said to do all that was in his heart, but that night God said no (verses 2 to 4). God would build David a house, meaning a line of kings, and set up his son after him (verses 10 and 11). In verse 14 God says He will settle this son in His own house and kingdom forever. This teaches that the kingdom belongs to God, and that He decides who sits on its throne. It matters because David's family would sometimes fail, yet the promise rests on God's own word. It shows that God gives more than anyone asks, for David wanted to build a house and God promised him one. Hebrews applies the words “I will be his father” to Jesus (Hebrews 1 verse 5). The angel told Mary that His kingdom would never end (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33).

How does 1 Chronicles 17 show us that the kingdom is God's own, and that He will settle David's Son in it forever?

God told David that He had never asked for a house.

David lived in a house of cedar while the ark sat in a tent (verse 1). That night God's word came to Nathan (verse 3). God said He had gone from tent to tent, and had never asked for a house of cedar (verses 5 and 6).

God would build David a house and set up his son.

God took David from the sheep pen to be prince over Israel (verse 7). He said He would build David a house, a line of kings (verse 10). He would set up David's son after him and establish his kingdom (verse 11).

The Son of David is Jesus, and His kingdom has no end.

God said the son would be settled in His house and kingdom forever (verse 14). Hebrews applies the words “I will be his father” to Jesus (Hebrews 1 verse 5). The angel told Mary that Jesus would receive the throne of His father David (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33). His kingdom would have no end.

Memorise

I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.

1 Chronicles 17:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I bow to Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom never ends?

God said of David's son, “I will be his father, and he will be my son.” Hebrews says those words are fulfilled in Jesus (Hebrews 1 verse 5). The kingdom is God's own, and He has settled His Son in it forever.

That King came first to die. On the cross Jesus carried His people's sin and bore its punishment, and His one death paid the whole debt. He was buried, and God raised Him from the dead. He reigns now, and His kingdom has no end.

This King calls you to bow. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus, the Son of David. You will be forgiven when you trust Him, and you will share in His kingdom with joy.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God promised David a Son whose kingdom lasts forever, and that Jesus is that Son. Parents, verse 13 reaches beyond Solomon to Jesus, so please explain it in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the promise of a Son whose kingdom lasts forever, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

A throne will be established in loving kindness. One will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.

Isaiah 16:5

Lord God, thank You for Your promise to David, and for Jesus, the Son whose kingdom has no end. Please turn each of us from sin to trust the Son of David. Help us to bow to Him this week. Amen.