IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

God Promises to Build David’s House

Date: Jul. 31, 2025

Passage

1 Chronicles 17:1-15 (ESV)

Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” 15 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 17:14

but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’”

David was sorry that he lived in a palace while the ark of God was in a tent. So, he wanted to build a house for God. Knowing David’s desire, Nathan the prophet thought that God would bless whatever David wanted to do. But, God sent this word: David was not the one to build the house for God. More than 400 years earlier, when the Israelites were in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to build a tent of meeting according to God’s detailed design, fit for people on the move. Not once did God ask for a house.

God was pleased with David and promised to build David a house. His descendants would sit on the throne forever. Especially, God promised to take one of the offspring in the line of David and establish him as the King, and his Kingdom would be eternal. The promise looks forward to the Messiah: Jesus, the King of an eternal Kingdom.

In his love for God, David desired to build a temple. And in his love for David, God promised David to establish an eternal kingdom through his line. God honors those who love and honor him.

Prayer: Lord, help me have such a beautiful love relationship with you.

One Word: God loves us; we love God

Daily Bread

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

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