Cornelius a Lapide
Table of Contents
Synopsis of the Chapter
David, wishing to build a temple, hears from Nathan that this building is reserved by God for his son Solomon, and that therefore a long posterity in the kingdom is promised to him. For this he gives great thanks to God.
Vulgate Text: 1 Paralipomenon 17:1-27
1. Now when David was dwelling in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet: Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar; but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent skins. 2. And Nathan said to David: Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you. 3. But that same night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: 4. Go, and speak to David My servant: Thus says the Lord: You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. 5. For I have not dwelt in a house from the time that I brought Israel out, even to this day; but I have been always changing the places of the tabernacle, and dwelling in a tent 6. with all Israel. Did I ever speak to even one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, and say: Why have you not built Me a house of cedar? 7. Now therefore you shall speak thus to My servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, that you should be ruler over My people Israel. 8. And I have been with you wherever you have gone; and I have slain all your enemies before you, and I have made you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 9. And I have given a place to My people Israel: they shall be planted, and shall dwell in it, and shall be moved no more: nor shall the children of iniquity wear them down, as at the beginning, 10. from the days when I appointed judges over My people Israel, and I have humbled all your enemies. Therefore I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house. 11. And when your days are fulfilled and you go to your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you, which shall be of your sons: and I will establish his kingdom. 12. He shall build Me a house; and I will establish his throne forever. 13. I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to Me a son: and I will not take away My mercy from him, as I took it from him who was before you. 14. And I will settle him in My house, and in My kingdom, forever: and his throne shall be most firm in perpetuity, 15. according to all these words, and according to this entire vision, so Nathan spoke to David. 16. And when King David came and sat before the Lord, he said: Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have granted me such things? 17. But even this seemed little in Your sight, and therefore You have spoken concerning the house of Your servant even for the future: and You have made me notable above all men, O Lord God. 18. What more can David add, since You have so glorified Your servant and have known him? 19. O Lord, for the sake of Your servant and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, and You have willed that all these mighty deeds be known. 20. O Lord, there is none like You, and there is no other God besides You, of all whom we have heard with our ears. 21. For who is there like Your people Israel, a nation unique on the earth, to whom God went to liberate, and to make a people for Himself, and by His greatness and terrors to drive out nations before them, whom He had liberated from Egypt? 22. And You made Your people Israel Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, became their God. 23. Now therefore, O Lord, let the word which You have spoken to Your servant, and concerning his house, be confirmed forever, and do as You have spoken. 24. And let Your name endure and be magnified forever, and let it be said: The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel, and the house of David His servant endures before Him. 25. For You, O Lord my God, have revealed to Your servant's ear that You will build him a house: and therefore Your servant has found confidence to pray before You. 26. Now therefore, O Lord, You are God: and You have spoken to Your servant such great benefits. 27. And You have begun to bless the house of Your servant, that it may be forever before You: for You, O Lord, being the one who blesses, it shall be blessed forever.
I explained this chapter at 2 Kings 7.
Verse 9: I Have Given a Place to My People Israel
9. AND I HAVE GIVEN A PLACE TO MY PEOPLE ISRAEL — (in Canaan, after expelling its former inhabitants, namely the wicked Canaanites, in which) THEY SHALL BE PLANTED — that is, they shall dwell firmly like a plant and a tree solidly rooted in their own land, so as not to be torn away from it, nor reduced to servitude by the Midianites, Ammonites, Moabites, Syrians, or Philistines, as they were reduced many times during the period of the Judges, as follows. Understand and supply the usual condition: namely, if Israel worships Me as their God and does not turn to idols and vices; hence because after David they did turn away, they were deservedly at last given over by God as prey to the nations, especially the Assyrians and Babylonians.
Verse 25: You Have Revealed to Your Servant's Ear
25. YOU HAVE REVEALED TO YOUR SERVANT'S EAR — that is, You have graciously and secretly revealed to me, as to Your friend, and as if whispered in my ear, the magnificent blessings which You have promised me, which I recount here.