1 Chronicles 17:23

KJV

Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore now, LORD {H3068}, let the thing {H1697} that thou hast spoken {H1696} concerning thy servant {H5650} and concerning his house {H1004} be established {H539} for {H5704} ever {H5769}, and do {H6213} as thou hast said {H1696}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So now, ADONAI, let the word that you spoke concerning your servant and his house be confirmed forever; do what you have promised.

Berean Standard Bible

And now, O LORD, let the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house be established forever. Do as You have promised,

American Standard Version

And now, O Jehovah, let the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, be established for ever, and do as thou hast spoken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 17:23 captures King David's humble and fervent prayer of thanksgiving in response to God's magnificent covenant promise. This verse is a pivotal moment where David acknowledges God's faithfulness and petitions Him to establish His word forever, demonstrating his complete trust in the Lord's sovereign declarations concerning his dynasty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of David's deeply personal and reverent prayer found in [1 Chronicles 17:16-27](/1_chronicles/17-16 "1 Chronicles 17:16-27 - David's Prayer of Thanksgiving"). The chapter opens with David's heartfelt desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant, a noble intention that God, through the prophet Nathan, graciously redirects. Instead of David building a house for God, God promises to build an eternal "house" (dynasty) for David ([1 Chronicles 17:10-14](/1_chronicles/17-10 "1 Chronicles 17:10-14 - God's Covenant with David")). David's prayer, beginning in [1 Chronicles 17:16](/1_chronicles/17-16 "1 Chronicles 17:16 - David's Humble Response"), is a response of overwhelming gratitude and awe at the magnitude of God's unmerited favor. Verse 23 specifically articulates David's earnest request for the permanence and fulfillment of this divine promise, reflecting his complete submission to and reliance upon God's sovereign will and word.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign marks a pivotal period in Israelite history, transitioning from a tribal confederacy to a unified monarchy with Jerusalem as its spiritual and political capital. The desire to build a temple for the Ark, which had resided in a tent since the Exodus, was a natural aspiration for a king seeking to consolidate the nation's religious life. However, the concept of a "house" (Hebrew: *bayit*) carried dual meanings: a physical dwelling and a dynastic lineage. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the stability and longevity of a king's dynasty were paramount, often secured through military might or political alliances. God's promise to David, however, transcends these earthly means, establishing his "house" through divine decree and covenant. This promise, given to a king who had already experienced God's faithfulness in establishing his kingdom, would have been understood as an extraordinary act of divine grace, ensuring a future far beyond human capability or expectation.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [1 Chronicles 17](/1_chronicles/17 "1 Chronicles 17 - God's Covenant with David") and particularly in verse 23 is the **Davidic Covenant**, a foundational theological concept in Israel's history and prophetic tradition. This covenant, detailed in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") and reiterated here, promises an eternal dynasty, an enduring kingdom, and a perpetual throne for David's descendants, ultimately finding its fulfillment in the Messiah. Another key theme is **God's Unwavering Faithfulness** (*emet*), as David's prayer is rooted in the conviction that God is true to His word and will bring to pass what He has spoken. David's **Humility and Trust** are also prominent; despite his royal status, he approaches God with profound reverence, recognizing that the promise is a gift of pure grace, not earned merit. Finally, the theme of **Divine Initiative** is clear: God, not David, initiates and establishes this eternal "house," underscoring His sovereignty over human plans and His commitment to His redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Established (Hebrew, _qum'_):** This verb means "to rise, stand, confirm, establish, fulfill." In this context, David is not asking God to *create* the promise, but to *confirm* or *make firm* what has already been spoken. It implies a desire for the promise to be made permanent and unshakeable, to stand the test of time and opposition, reflecting a deep trust in God's ability to bring His word to fruition.
* **Forever (Hebrew, _'ad 'olam'_):** This phrase signifies "to eternity, forever, perpetual, everlasting." Its inclusion emphasizes the enduring, non-temporal nature of God's promise to David. It's not a temporary arrangement but a covenant designed to last through all generations, pointing to a fulfillment that transcends David's immediate lifetime or even the lifespan of his immediate descendants, hinting at a Messianic future.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever":** This opening clause is a direct, humble petition from David to God. The "therefore now" connects his prayer to the preceding divine promise, indicating his immediate and profound response. He refers to himself as "thy servant," a title emphasizing his submission and dependence. The core request is for the "thing that thou hast spoken" – the magnificent Davidic Covenant – to be "established for ever." This is not a request born of doubt, but a fervent desire for the divine word to be made utterly firm, permanent, and unshakeable for all time, reflecting David's full comprehension of the promise's eternal scope.
* **"and do as thou hast said":** This concluding phrase is a powerful affirmation of faith and a plea for divine action. It is a simple yet profound declaration of trust in God's faithfulness and omnipotence. David acknowledges that God's word is not merely a declaration but carries the power to bring itself into being. He is essentially praying God's own promise back to Him, asking Him to manifest His spoken word in reality, demonstrating a perfect alignment of his will with God's revealed purpose.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Apostrophe** is evident as David directly addresses "LORD," engaging in a personal and intimate dialogue with God. The use of **repetition** in "let the thing that thou hast spoken... be established for ever, and do as thou hast said" emphasizes David's earnestness and the certainty he desires regarding God's promise. The phrase "concerning thy servant and concerning his house" uses **synecdoche**, where "house" stands for David's entire lineage and dynasty, highlighting the generational scope of the covenant. Furthermore, the entire prayer is an act of **supplication**, a humble appeal to a higher power, demonstrating David's recognition of God's sovereignty and his own dependent position. The language is direct and heartfelt, reflecting the profound impact of God's covenant on David's spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 17:23 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant promises and the appropriate human response of faithful prayer. David's plea for God to "establish for ever" what He has spoken echoes a recurring biblical theme: God's word is eternal and unfailing. This verse underscores the divine initiative in salvation history, where God sovereignly acts to fulfill His purposes, often exceeding human expectations. It also highlights the privilege and responsibility of believers to pray God's promises back to Him, not as a means to coerce God, but as an act of faith that aligns human desires with divine will, trusting in His unshakeable character.

* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "Psalm 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Romans 4:20-21](/romans/4-20 "Romans 4:20-21 - Abraham's Faith in God's Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 17:23 offers a profound blueprint for our own prayer lives and a powerful anchor for our faith. In a world characterized by fleeting promises and uncertain futures, this verse reminds us that God's word is utterly reliable and eternally established. Like David, we are called to respond to God's revealed truth not with doubt, but with fervent prayer, asking Him to bring to pass what He has already declared. This isn't about manipulating God, but about aligning our hearts with His sovereign will, trusting that His plans for us are good and His promises are true. It encourages us to meditate on the Scriptures, identify God's promises, and then confidently "do as He has said" in our lives, knowing that He is faithful to complete what He has begun. Our prayers become an act of worship, acknowledging His power and sovereignty over all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific promises of God have you identified in Scripture that you can pray back to Him with confidence?**
* **How does David's humility in this prayer challenge your own approach to God?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God to "establish for ever" His word, even when circumstances seem uncertain?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of David asking God to "establish for ever" His word?**

Answer: David's request to "establish for ever" (Hebrew: *qum 'ad 'olam*) is highly significant because it underscores the eternal and unchangeable nature of God's covenant promise. It's not a plea for God to *make* the promise, but to *confirm* and *make permanent* what He has already spoken. This reflects David's profound understanding that God's word is not subject to human frailty or the passage of time. He desires that the promised dynasty and kingdom, which God declared would be perpetual, would indeed endure through all generations, pointing to a fulfillment far beyond his own lifetime. This request is an act of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and His unwavering faithfulness to His declarations, as seen in passages like [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "Psalm 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David") which reiterates the eternal nature of this covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 17:23 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the promised Son of David. The "house" and "kingdom" that God promised to establish "for ever" through David's lineage is perfectly realized in Christ's eternal reign. The New Testament consistently identifies Jesus as the descendant of David, the one upon whom the throne of David is established eternally. The angel Gabriel's prophecy to Mary in [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Eternal Kingdom") explicitly states that God "will give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Similarly, [Acts 2:29-36](/acts/2-29 "Acts 2:29-36 - Peter's Sermon on David and the Messiah") demonstrates Peter's sermon, where he links David's prophetic understanding of his descendant to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus. Thus, David's prayer for the eternal establishment of his house is answered definitively in the everlasting kingdom of Christ, whose dominion is not of this world, yet encompasses all creation, ensuring that God's word, once spoken to David, is indeed "established for ever" through the Lamb of God, who reigns eternally as King of kings and Lord of lords, as affirmed in [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 11:5

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as [it is] this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

Psalms 119:49

¶ ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

Luke 1:38

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

2 Samuel 7:25

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish [it] for ever, and do as thou hast said.

2 Samuel 7:29

Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken [it]: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Genesis 32:12

And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.