HIS THRONE WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER

(Special Christmas Message 2: God's Promise to David)

1 Chronicles 17:1-27
Key Verse 17:14

"I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever."

1. Read verses 1-6. How did King David feel after building his palace and settling in it? What does this show us about David? What kind of house do you think David had in mind for the Lord? Yet, what did God say to him about building a house? How had God stayed with his people thus far? What does this show about God?

2. Read verses 6-10a. With what role to serve did God raise up leaders for his people? What were the main duties of kings in those days? How did God raise up David to be a ruler for his people? (1Ch 11:1-2) How was David like a shepherd king over Israel? What were the fruits of his kingship thus far? What did God promise to do for his people?

3. Read verses 10b-15. What two things God promise to do for David? What does a throne represent? What do the words "forever", "over my house and my kingdom", and "I will be his father, and he will be my son", tell us about the throne to be established for David's offspring? To whom does David's "offspring" refer? (13; Rev 22:16)

4. What happened to David's royal line in the days of the Babylonian empire and afterward? What eventually happened to the temple that Solomon built and which was later rebuilt by Herod? (Mat 24:1-2) What does this history tell us about the fulfillment of God's promise? In what way is Jesus fulfilling the promise to be over God's kingdom? (9-10; Isa 9:7; Jer 23:5-6) Who can enjoy the benefits of Jesus' kingdom and rule? 

5. The Lord begins by saying he will build David's house, but finishes by saying that David's offspring will build God's house. How are the two related? In what way is Jesus fulfilling the promise to build God's house? (1 Cor 3:9) What future hope do we have in Jesus?

6. Read verses 16-27. What was David's confession about God after receiving this promise? What was David's attitude about himself? What did David pray to be done through God fulfilling this promise? (24)

HIS THRONE WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER

(Special Christmas Message 2: God's Promise to David)

1 Chronicles 17:1-27
Key Verse 17:14

"I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever."

In this second special Christmas Bible study, we will cover God's promise to David regarding Jesus Christ. In this passage we see a different perspective about Jesus' person and work. He is a promised king in the line of David. He would reign with the shepherd king-like qualities of David. However, he is more than God. God promised to establish the throne of David's son "forever" and he would be over God's house and God's kingdom. May God help us to learn of his blessing in establishing Jesus as our shepherd king.

1. Read verses 1-6. How did King David feel after building his palace and settling in it? What does this show us about David? What kind of house do you think David had in mind for the Lord? Yet, what did God say to him about building a house? How had God stayed with his people thus far? What does this show about God?

*Verse 1.  

*Rather than enjoying his new palace, he was concerned about the Ark of the Covenant (which represented God's dwelling with his people) which was in a tent and looked poor compared to David's new palace. 

*A palatial structure.  

*The Lord said that David would not build a house for him.  

*The Lord had not asked any of the people he established as leaders for his people to build a house for him. He had traveled with his people in a tent.  

*God does not dwell in a house like we do. God traveled in a tent with his people wherever he led them. He was a shepherd leading his people. The ark of the covenant staying in a tent revealed God's heart to shepherd over his people and be with them.

>See Exodus 13:21: "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."

2. Read verses 6-10a. With what role to serve did God raise up leaders for his people? What were the main duties of kings in those days? How did God raise up David to be a ruler for his people? (1Ch 11:12) How was David like a shepherd king over Israel? What were the fruits of his kingship thus far? What did God promise to do for his people?

*Verse 6. "...whom I commanded to shepherd my people." God raised up leaders as shepherds for his people. Shepherding others is very different from exercising political power and authority over them. The interest of a shepherd is always to take care of his sheep first, even laying down his life for them. 

*Kings mainly were warriors who fought battles for their people to secure the peace. They were the source of protection. 

*See verses 7-9. God had raised David from their fields where he was an actual shepherd over his father's sheep to be king of Israel. God was pleased with David and found him to be "a man after his own heart" (cf. 1 Sam 13:13-14; Acts 13:22). God was with him the whole time and established David as king. 

*David protected the people as he did when he was a shepherd. He fought many battles to ensure their peace and safety from their enemies. He was also a wise judge for them. He also led the people in worship before the Lord.  

*David united the people under one kingdom under God. David ushered in a so-called "Golden Age" for Israel which lasted into Solomon's reign. The borders extended and were secured and David was a source of security from their enemies.  

*See verses 8-9. He promised them peace and security from all their enemies.

3. Read verses 10b-15. What two things God promise to do for David? What does a throne represent? What do the words "forever", "over my house and my kingdom", and "I will be his father, and he will be my son", tell us about the throne to be established for David's offspring? To whom does David's "offspring" refer? (13; Rev 22:16)

*1) He promised to build a house for David in establish his offspring's throne forever. 2) David's offspring would build a house for God and be over God's house and kingdom.  

*A throne is the seat of authority and power.  

*This throne and kingdom was not just any earthly throne or kingdom. God was establishing David's offspring over God's own house and kingdom. It would be a throne and kingdom that lasts forever. So he is referring to God's kingdom and David's offspring would be called God's son. This means further that this kingdom provides more than just what earthly kingdoms provide. God's kingdom means real peace and security--not just from visible enemies, but invisible ones as well. God's kingdom is a kingdom of righteousness and justice. And God's kingdom covers the whole world. 

*God's promise to David looks ahead to Jesus Christ who is called David's offspring. As we learn more about God's promise in the OT Scripture, we can see how Jesus fulfills and is fulfilling the promises in his person and work. [For your reference, you may wish to consider reading the following passages: Mat 1:1; 2Tim 2:8; Acts 2:29-32; Rev 22:16] 

4. What happened to David's royal line in the days of the Babylonian empire and afterward? What eventually happened to the temple that Solomon built and which was later rebuilt by Herod? (Mat 24:1-2) What does this history tell us about the fulfillment of God's promise? In what way is Jesus fulfilling the promise to be over God's kingdom? (9-10; Isa 9:7; Jer 23:5-6) Who can enjoy the benefits of Jesus' kingdom and rule?

*Eventually, David's sons were no longer kings over Israel and Judah. And many of the royal line were taken as captives into exile in Babylon by the Babylonian army. Since that time David did not have a son on a throne as king (except for Jesus). [Jer 52:1-16; Da 1:1-5 - these verses give a more detailed picture as to what happened.] 

*It was destroyed, first by the Babylonians (~586 BC) and later by the Romans in 70 AD. Since that time there has been no Jewish temple. In fact, a Muslim mosque now sits on the site of the former temple in Jerusalem. [Please see Mat 24:1-2 and Jer 52:17-23 for more details into this.] 

*God's promise was not fulfilled in the earthly, Israelite / Jewish kingdom nor in the Jerusalem temple. The promises were looking forward to something more. 

*Jesus fulfills the promise to be a king in the line of David. 1. He is David's son. 2. He is God's Son. 3. He lives and reigns forever because he defeated death and rose from the dead. 4. He brings true security, peace, and victory over our enemies and God's enemies, especially sin, death and the devil. He won this victory through his death on the cross and resurrection. And he is working by his Spirit now to bring us victory after victory. He protects us like a mighty king. 5. He is our good shepherd who laid down his life for us. And he watches over us now as a shepherd over his sheep. As a shepherd, he is bringing all of God's lost flock together in unity under God. 6. In bringing true peace, Jesus brings righteousness to all his people (Ro 3:21-22). For righteousness comes with peace with God because sins have been forgiven and that person is right with God. (see Jer 23:5-6). In Jesus we have the perfect king and shepherd whose throne endures forever.

*Those who are subjects of God's kingdom, that is, those who live by faith in Jesus and submit to him as their Lord.

5. The Lord begins by saying he will build David's house, but finishes by saying that David's offspring will build God's house. How are the two related? In what way is Jesus fulfilling the promise to build God's house? (1 Cor 3:9)

*God promised to establish David's house for the sake of building his own house among his people.

*God's house is the place where God he dwells. God does not dwell in a house of wood like people. But God desired to be with his people and in them. Through Jesus who brings sin forgiveness and made the way for God to pour out his Holy Spirit on all people, this is possible. In John 2, when Jesus spoke of the temple, he was speaking about himself. Revelation 21 tells us that the Lamb is the temple. Believers are the body of Christ and thus make up God's house. As Jesus saves and bring people into God's kingdom, he is building God's house and is over it as its head. It is a house where God is pleased to dwell and which endures to the eternal kingdom of God. [Please see the following verses for further reference as to the true meaning of God's house: 1 Pe 2:5, 1 Cor 3:9, Jn 2:19; Eph 5:23]

6. Read verses 16-27. What was David's confession about God after receiving this promise? What was David's attitude about himself? What did David pray to be done through God fulfilling this promise? (24)

*See verse 20. "There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." David confessed and testified to God's mercy and greatness to redeem his people and be with them. David did not just see God's promise as something good for himself, but as a testimony to God's mercy and greatness to all people.

*He was humble before the Lord. He confesses that he found strength to pray because of God's promise and blessing.

*See verses 23-24. He prayed for God's name to be honored and praised. He prayed fully believing that what God had promised would be done.

JESUS’ KINGDOM WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER

1Chronicles 17

Key verse 17:14

14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.' "

Have you ever received a gift that you totally didn’t expect and totally felt was more than you deserved?  I have.  Today’s passage is a story of David receiving such grace from the LORD.

Why are we studying this passage?

This passage is very related to Christmas.

The promises mentioned here were fulfilled through Jesus’ first coming; and His coming into the world we call Christmas.

I say promises because there’s actually more than one here.

Last week God promised Abraham, “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.”

Today’s passage consists of the promises given to David.  Essentially it’s a more detailed version of the promise given to Abraham.

I pray your heart may be filled with grace as you realize just how much God has done for you and given to you in sending Jesus at Christmastime.

I. David wants to build God a house.

Look at verses 1-6. (I’ll read them for you.)

1 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent." 2 Nathan replied to David, "Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you." 3 That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: 4 "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. 5 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. 6 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders ^{[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Chronicles%2017&version=31" \l "fen-NIV-10870a" \o "See footnote a" a]} whom I commanded to shepherd my people, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' 

A. Who was David?

As a young boy he lived as a shepherd working hard, faithfully taking care of his father’s flock of sheep.

In his youth, he was a soldier and military commander.

David and Goliath.

At 30, he became king.

He is pretty much unanimously Israel’s most successful and just king in all their history.  And not just Israel, but any nation for that matter.  It’s because he ruled more like a shepherd than a king.  He was truly “for the people”.

He was also the great Psalmist and musician who composed the majority of the psalms we enjoy today.

To summarize all this, we can say that David was a man of noble character who has noble desires. One of these desires was to build God a house, a temple, in order to honor Him. He felt it wasn’t right that the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sign of God’s dwelling, should be under a tent while he is living in a palace.

David felt so blessed by God and that God is so good that he really wanted to do something for God. God’s response was that David didn’t need to do anything for Him. god then took the opportunity to remind David that it was God in the first place who made David who he was. Look at verses 7-8. (Explain.)

7 "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

I think that David was really sobered by hearing this. Yes, God uses people to accomplish His work, as he had graciously done with David. But God doesn’t really “need” anybody. So God didn’t want David to build him anything. But God was so happy and pleased with David not so much because of David’s desire to build him a house, but because of his fundamental faith in God.  He was so pleased that He turned the tables on David and promised to do something for him and his people; and this something wasn’t small at all.

II. God promises to build a house for David.

What would God do? In verses 8-10, we see five things that God promised to do.

8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

9 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.  " 'I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you: 

“I will make your name like the greatest men of the earth.”

“I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so they can have a home of their won and no longer be disturbed.”

“Wicked people will not oppress them anymore.”

“I will also subdue all your enemies.”

And here’s the big reversal the Lord plays on David, “I will build a house for you.”

So what is this house all about that God promised to build for David? Look at verses 11-14. I’ll read them.

11 When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.' " 

To many, it seemed like this house that God would build for David would be though his son Solomon. Solomon was David’s son and he succeeded David as king. He also built a house, so to speak, for God. The problem was that his kingdom and throne didn’t last forever as had been promised. Solomon died. The kingdom was invaded by the Babylonians and the people were taken into exile. And the temple was destroyed in the process. It looked like God’s promises had failed. There was nothing eternal about this kingdom, this house (temple), or the one who ruled over them. But God’s promises had not failed. God’s promises never fail. Solomon was not the One promised. He and his kingdom were only a foreshadow at best. The promises were really fulfilled through Jesus. 

The Lord established Jesus’ throne and kingdom by sending Him into the world to die on the cross and opening up the kingdom of God to all who would believe. His is an everlasting kingdom. Unlike all kingdoms in this world, all businesses, nations, you name it (which rise and fall), this kingdom is forever, FOREVER AND EVER. And Jesus is ruling as a gentle shepherd-like King over it, FOREVER!

But what about house? Verse 12 says, “He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.” How did Jesus build God a house? In this world, this doesn’t really happen. Most people in places of authority are looking out for their own interests. In some sense, house and kingdom are one in the same. But a house or home is more than an environment. It is a place where people live. It consists of people. So this house that Jesus would build also consists of people. In fact, 1Peter 2:4-5 tells us clearly as well.

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The house Jesus is building is a spiritual house consisting of people like you and me. And that is really what makes our dwelling in heaven so great; not just the environment, but the people. You know you may have a big mansion, but if the people there are a bunch of jerks, it is not going to be a fun place to live.

You know this Christmastime is a time of many family gatherings.  Some find it a joyful time but others find it one of the most tortuous times of the year.  This is especially the case for those from broken families or parents going through a divorce.  Oftentimes there’s more yelling and screaming at these family gatherings than any other time.  But the household Jesus is building is much different.  The house Jesus is building consists of holy people, people who have been washed in Jesus’ blood and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. They are noble people, holy people, righteous and pleasant people to be around. We may enjoy each other’s company now, (and sometimes not), but in heaven, we will really enjoy each other’s company. One of the greatest features of this home I think is in verse 9, which we read earlier.

“9 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning.” 

God’s people will have a home of their own and will no longer be disturbed or oppressed by wicked people. A home of their own. No longer disturbed. Ahhhhh.  Not only will we be free from all our own burdens and sins, but we’ll be free from other’s sins too.  No more having to deal with rude people, unbelieving people, or those who are just plain wicked and bother us constantly. It will truly be home, with people we can relate to, who worship and serve the same Lord and King Jesus Christ.

We thank God for giving to us so much and for sending His son Jesus to make this all possible. It is truly God’s grace to us. When David thought aabout all that God had done for him and though him and now learned that God would do even more, his heart was filled with grace. He couldn’t help but praise and worship God for this. He prayed, Yes Lord, “do as you promised.” Let’s close by reading verses 16 and 17 together. 

16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:  "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God.”

I pray your heart would be filled with the same grace this Christmastime in view of what God has done for you through Jesus.