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 profound and humble prayer, offered in response to God's magnificent covenant promise. In this pivotal moment, David acknowledges the Lord's unwavering faithfulness and earnestly petitions Him to eternally establish the divine declaration concerning his lineage and kingdom, demonstrating his complete trust in God's sovereign word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic articulation within David's extended prayer of thanksgiving, recorded in [1 Chronicles 17:16-27](/1_chronicles/17-16-27 "1 Chronicles 17:16-27 - David's Prayer of Thanksgiving"). The chapter opens with David's sincere desire to construct a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant ([1 Chronicles 17:1-2](/1_chronicles/17-1-2 "1 Chronicles 17:1-2 - David's Desire to Build a Temple")). However, God, through the prophet Nathan, graciously counters David's intention, promising instead to build an enduring "house" (dynasty) for David himself ([1 Chronicles 17:10-14](/1_chronicles/17-10-14 "1 Chronicles 17:10-14 - God's Covenant with David")). David's prayer, commencing in [1 Chronicles 17:16](/1_chronicles/17-16 "1 Chronicles 17:16 - David's Humble Response"), is an outpouring of overwhelming gratitude and awe at the sheer magnitude of God's unmerited favor. Verse 23 specifically crystallizes David's earnest request for the permanence and complete fulfillment of this divine promise, reflecting his profound submission to and reliance upon God's sovereign will and spoken word.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign marks a crucial juncture in Israelite history, signifying the transition from a decentralized tribal confederacy to a unified monarchy with Jerusalem established as its spiritual and political nexus. David's aspiration to build a permanent temple for the Ark, which had been housed in a tent since the Exodus, was a logical desire for a king seeking to consolidate the nation's religious life. Critically, the Hebrew term "house" (*bayit*) carried a dual significance in ancient Near Eastern cultures: denoting both a physical dwelling and, more significantly, a dynastic lineage. The stability and longevity of a king's dynasty were paramount, frequently secured through military prowess or strategic political alliances. God's promise to David, however, transcends these earthly mechanisms, establishing his "house" not through human effort but through divine decree and an unbreakable covenant. This promise, extended to a king who had already witnessed God's faithfulness in establishing his kingdom, would have been perceived as an extraordinary act of divine grace, ensuring a future far exceeding human capabilities or expectations.

* **Key Themes:** The preeminent theme in [1 Chronicles 17](/1_chronicles/17 "1 Chronicles 17 - God's Covenant with David"), and particularly highlighted in verse 23, is the **Davidic Covenant**. This foundational theological concept, detailed in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") and powerfully reiterated here, promises an eternal dynasty, an enduring kingdom, and a perpetual throne for David's descendants, ultimately finding its complete fulfillment in the Messiah. Another crucial theme is **God's Unwavering Faithfulness** (*emet*), as David's prayer is deeply rooted in the conviction that God is utterly true to His word and possesses the power to bring to pass all that He has spoken. David's profound **Humility and Trust** are also prominently displayed; despite his royal stature, he approaches God with profound reverence, recognizing that the promise is a gift of pure, unearned grace. Finally, the theme of **Divine Initiative** is unequivocally clear: it is God, not David, who initiates and establishes this eternal "house," profoundly underscoring His sovereignty over all human plans and His steadfast commitment to His grand redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred personal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." From H3068, it signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal." David's direct address to "LORD" emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship between God and His people, acknowledging the supreme, unchanging, and faithful nature of the One who makes and keeps promises.
* **established (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** From H539, this primitive root means "to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain." David's request for the "thing" (God's promise) to be "established" is not a plea for God to create the promise, but to confirm it, make it firm, permanent, and unshakeable. It reflects deep trust in God's ability to bring His word to fruition and endure through time.
* **forever (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** From H5769, this word properly means "concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity." Used here in conjunction with "for" (`ʻad`, H5704), it emphasizes the enduring, non-temporal, and perpetual nature of God's promise. David desires that the covenant not be a temporary arrangement but one designed to last through all generations, pointing to a fulfillment that transcends his immediate lifetime and hints 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 phrase "Therefore now" powerfully connects his prayer to the preceding divine promise, indicating his immediate and profound response of faith. He refers to himself as "thy servant," a title emphasizing his submission, dependence, and recognition of God's supreme authority. 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 his trust in God's power to fulfill it.
* **"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 David's absolute trust in God's faithfulness and omnipotence. David acknowledges that God's word is not merely a declaration but carries inherent 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 and an expectation of divine performance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its theological weight. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured as David directly addresses "LORD," engaging in a personal and intimate dialogue with the divine. The use of **repetition** in the parallel phrasing "let the thing that thou hast spoken... be established for ever, and do as thou hast said" underscores David's earnestness and the certainty he desires regarding the permanence of God's promise. The phrase "concerning thy servant and concerning his house" utilizes **synecdoche**, where "house" (Hebrew: *bayit*) stands for David's entire lineage, dynasty, and future kingdom, highlighting the generational and enduring scope of the covenant. Furthermore, the entire prayer is an act of **supplication**, a humble and fervent appeal to a higher power, demonstrating David's profound recognition of God's sovereignty and his own dependent position. The language is direct, heartfelt, and reverent, reflecting the transformative 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, unfailing, and possesses inherent power to accomplish its purpose. This verse profoundly underscores the divine initiative in salvation history, where God sovereignly acts to fulfill His redemptive purposes, often exceeding human expectations and capabilities. It also highlights the privilege and responsibility of believers to pray God's promises back to Him, not as a means to coerce or manipulate God, but as an act of faith that aligns human desires with divine will, trusting in His unshakeable character and His commitment to His word.

* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3-4 "Psalm 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David, Established Forever")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Romans 4:20-21](/romans/4-20-21 "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, shifting circumstances, and uncertain futures, this verse serves as a potent reminder that God's word is utterly reliable, eternally established, and unchangeable. Like David, we are called to respond to God's revealed truth not with doubt or hesitation, but with fervent prayer, asking Him to bring to pass what He has already declared in His Scriptures. This isn't about manipulating God to conform to our will, but about aligning our hearts with His sovereign will, trusting implicitly that His plans for us are good and His promises are true. It encourages us to diligently meditate on the Scriptures, identify God's specific promises, and then confidently "do as He has said" in our daily lives, knowing that He is utterly faithful to complete what He has begun. Our prayers, in this light, become an act of profound worship, acknowledging His omnipotence, His faithfulness, and His ultimate 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, echoing David's trust?**
* **How does David's posture of humility and dependence in this prayer challenge or inform your own approach to God in prayer?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God to "establish for ever" His word, even when circumstances seem uncertain or contradictory?**

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

Answer: David's request to "establish for ever" (Hebrew: *ʼâman ʻad ʻôwlâm*) is profoundly significant because it underscores the eternal, unchangeable, and utterly reliable nature of God's covenant promise. It is not a plea for God to *create* the promise, but rather to *confirm*, *make permanent*, and *bring to fruition* what He has already spoken. This reflects David's deep understanding that God's word is not subject to human frailty, the passage of time, or any earthly opposition. 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 a profound act of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and His unwavering faithfulness to His declarations, as seen in passages like [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3-4 "Psalm 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David") which reiterates the eternal nature of this covenant, and [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose"), emphasizing that God's word will not return to Him empty but will accomplish His purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 17:23 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive 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 and eternally realized in Christ's everlasting reign. The New Testament consistently identifies Jesus as the rightful 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/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Eternal Kingdom") explicitly declares 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, Peter's sermon in [Acts 2:29-36](/acts/2-29-36 "Acts 2:29-36 - Peter's Sermon on David and the Messiah") powerfully links David's prophetic understanding of his descendant to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus as both Lord and Christ. Thus, David's fervent 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 triumphantly 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.