1 Chronicles 17
We have but few comments to make on this chapter, in view of the account in 2 Sam. 7. Nevertheless, in this chapter we find fresh proof of the conscious modifications (additions or omissions) made in view of the object the Spirit of God proposes in this book. Before noting them, let us again remind ourselves that Chronicles presents God's counsels and promises with regard to the kingship established in the house of David, counsels and promises which will be fully accomplished in Christ, "for whatever promises of God there are, in Him is the yea, and in Him the amen, for glory to God by us" (2 Cor. 1:20).
In 1 Chron. 17:1, the Spirit omits the words: "When Jehovah had given him rest round about from all his enemies," which do not fit in with our account of the kingdom established by the ark's return. Likewise in 1 Chron. 17:10: "I will subdue all thine enemies" is in the future tense in contrast with "I have given thee rest from all thine enemies" which characterizes 2 Sam. 7:11.
As we have already noticed previously, the name of Jehovah is usually replaced in this chapter by that of God.
In 1 Chron. 17:11 "I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons," directs our thoughts to Christ, the king according to God's counsels; whereas 2 Sam. 7:12 "Thy seed...which shall proceed out of thy bowels" indicates Solomon, David's son.
1 Chron. 17:13 is very remarkable. God says: "I will be his father, and he shall be my son," a passage which is cited in Heb. 1:5 in reference to Christ and concerning God's counsels regarding His Anointed. This same passage in 2 Sam. 7:14 applies to the fallible and responsible king: "I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the sons of men," etc. This is what happened to David himself in the book of Samuel, whereas Chronicles mentions neither his failure nor the prolonged chastisement, the "rod of men," which was its consequence.
In 1 Chron. 17:14 it says: "And I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever." In 2 Sam. 7:16 we read: "And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made firm forever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever".
For the same reason we read (1 Chron. 17:18-19): "What can David say more to thee for the glory of thy servant? thou indeed knowest thy servant. Jehovah, for thy servant's sake...hast thou done all this greatness," etc. This phrase "thy servant" carries our thoughts far beyond David, to the person of Christ. 2 Sam. 7:21 is worded thus: "For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, to make thy servant know it."
And finally in 1 Chron. 17:27: "And now, let it please Thee to bless the house of Thy servant, that it may be before Thee forever, for thou, Jehovah, hast blessed it, and it shall be blessed forever"; whereas 2 Sam. 7:29 says: "For thou, Lord Jehovah, hast spoken it; and with thy blessing shall the house of thy servant be blessed forever." The first of these passages refers to the unconditional promises made to Abraham (Gen. 12:2); the second expresses a desire that could not be realized by the posterity of David, the responsible king, as he himself says in his last words: "Although my house be not so before God." Nevertheless, trusting in the promises of grace, he immediately adds: "Yet He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in every way and sure; for this is all my salvation, and every desire, although He make it not to grow" (2 Sam. 23:5). Recognizing the ruin of his house under the rule of responsibility, he goes back to the eternal covenant, to "the sure mercies of David," and this truth which is emphasized in Chronicles, in 2 Samuel sustains the king's heart when at the end of his career he must face the ruin of his house, the fruit of his own failure.