1 Chronicles 17: Prioritizing God’s honor and will above my own

By the end of 1 Chronicles 16, David had consolidated his kingdom and called the nation together to celebrate what God had done. As they worshiped, though, something dawned on the king. While neighboring nations had erected large and elaborate temples for their idols, the God who enabled David to overcome his enemies and establish his kingdom had none. Therefore, the king resolved to build a temple for his God.

Initially, the prophet Nathan approved the unspoken plan, but the next morning, Nathan returned to the king with bad news. “You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in,” the Lord said through his prophet. Instead, that honor was reserved for David’s son who would succeed him as king.

This must have been disappointing to David. Not only did he earnestly desire to construct a temple to honor his God, but he was surely aware that he and his God would never be taken seriously by the neighbors without it. In fact, there are indications in God’s speech that this was David’s primary concern. He wanted to be known as the king who could build the biggest and best temple for his God. When God vetoed the plan to build a temple, then, he was robbing David and Israel of the prominence that David thought they deserved.

However, instead of throwing a tantrum that he did not get his way and would be unable to do what he wanted for God, David responded in verse 16 with humility. “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far?” In other words, David accepted God’s decision. More, he continued to marvel at what God had done for him rather than stew about what he was not allowed to do for God.

The Bible calls David a man after God’s own heart. When we consider the whole span of his life, this is astonishing. Which of us has not heard of the Bathsheba incident or the improper census he ordered late in his life. Clearly, being perfect and sinless is not the essence of chasing God. Rather, we find here in 1 Chronicles 17 that the key is found in our attitude when God says no.

More specifically, when God revealed that David would not build the tabernacle, David did not throw a tantrum. He did not grumble about the lost opportunity to magnify the Lord. He did not rail against the glory that he would not receive among the nations. He did not take offense that his plan was rejected.

Here is the essence of being a man or woman after God’s own heart: prioritizing God’s honor and will above my own such that I can still glorify him, even when I do not get my way or my glory.