17:1 his house David’s house was built with help from Hiram, the king of Tyre (1 Chron 14:1).

to Nathan the prophet See 2 Sam 7:2 and note.

17:4 are not to build a house for me The Chronicler gives God’s response as a strong command. In the Samuel account, it is a rhetorical question (see note on 2 Sam 7:5).

17:6 I have moved about God refers to the wilderness years and the period of the judges as He points out that He never asked for a permanent house.

shepherd my people God describes the leaders of Israel as shepherds (1 Chron 11:2). See note on 1 Sam 9:3.

17:7 Yahweh of hosts The Hebrew phrase used here, yhwh tseva'oth, has military connotations; it refers to Yahweh as the leader of armies.

following the sheep David had been a shepherd. See 1 Sam 16:11; 17:34.

17:8 will make a name for you A name refers to a person’s reputation (Prov 22:1; Eccl 7:1). God promises to make David powerful and respected.

17:9 I will plant them God promises to establish His people as He establishes the Davidic dynasty. See note on 2 Sam 7:10. This promise would have been especially relevant to the chronicler’s audience of returned exiles.

17:10 will build for you a house Refers to a royal dynasty.

17:12 will build for me a house Refers to the Jerusalem temple, which Solomon builds (2 Chr 2–7).

17:13 a son The Chronicler does not include the note about God’s discipline found in the Samuel account (see 2 Sam 7:14 and note).

whoever was before you Refers to Saul, who was rejected as king (1 Chron 10:13–14; 1 Sam 15:10–11, 26–29).

17:14 my kingdom In the Chronicler’s view, David’s dynasty is closely associated with the kingdom of God (e.g., 1 Chron 28:5; 29:23; 2 Chr 13:8). This connection is unique to 1–2 Chronicles.

17:16 sat before Yahweh David responds to Nathan’s message in a posture of humility and submission. He recognizes the humble position of his family in comparison to the great blessing God had bestowed on him.

17:20 there is none like you David upholds the incomparable greatness of Yahweh. Solomon echoes this phrase at the temple’s dedication (2 Chr 6:14).

17:21 redeem The Hebrew word used here, padah, means to buy something back.

drive out nations Echoing God’s words in 1 Chron 17:5–6, David praises God for providing for His people by bringing them out of Egypt and into the promised land.

17:22 an everlasting nation for yourself David echoes the covenant formula of Lev 26:12.

17:24 let your name be established God had promised to establish David’s name (see note on 1 Chron 17:8). David recognizes that, by establishing His people and His kingdom (see note on v. 14), God would establish His own reputation (see note on Psa 23:3).