歷代志上 16-17 章 1 Chronicles 16-17

各位平安！今天我們要接續分享《歷代志上》第16到17章的故事。這裡記載的是一場盛大的慶典——約櫃進城的儀式，場面非常熱鬧隆重。

在這個歡慶的時刻，大衛作了一首詩歌來頌讚上帝。我們會發現這首詩，其實是許多詩篇的融合體，而它本身也預表了許多重要的信息。

值得注意的是，這段經文的作者，寫作的時間點是在以色列人已經亡國、被擄到波斯之後。也就是說，他們沒有國家，沒有君王，在一個被擄的狀態中，才回顧並記錄這些歷史。

那這樣的背景下，作者為什麼選擇記錄這些內容呢？其中有什麼含義？我們就一起來仔細看看這段經文，從中找出其中的亮光。

這段詩歌中提到：「要誇耀祂的聖名，尋求耶和華的人心中就歡喜；要時常尋求祂的面。」這裡其實在提醒我們，信仰是一個持續不斷尋求神的過程。

接下來經文也提到神與亞伯拉罕所立的約，與以撒立下的誓言，並且將這個約確立為律例，向雅各，就是後來的以色列頒布為永遠的約。

這些話在亡國時期被記錄下來，但對於寫這段經文的作者來說，其實更像是在對當時被擄的以色列人說話——提醒他們，神所立的約並沒有失效。雖然眼前看不到盼望，雖然國家已經滅亡、百姓被擄，但上帝的約仍然有效，祂並沒有廢棄這個約。

19節到22節特別提醒以色列人，雖然你們人數稀少，常常在列國之間漂泊、居無定所，但上帝始終保護你們，不容許別人欺負你們。祂甚至為你們責備列王，顯出祂對選民的守護。

這段話延續前面的主題，強調以色列的失敗與滅亡不是因為上帝失職，而是因為以色列人自己偏離了祂的道路。這是一個重要的神學提醒：上帝是可信靠的，但是當人偏離的時候，人也是要受苦，但上帝並不因人的失敗廢棄祂的應許，而是繼續保守看顧著。

從23節開始，詩歌的焦點轉向更宏觀的層面——「全地都要向耶和華歌唱，在列邦中述說祂的榮耀，在萬民中傳揚祂的奇事。」這不只是針對當時的以色列人說的話，更是預告神在全地的工作即將展開。當時雖然看起來以色列正處於苦難中，但這些苦難只是暫時的，神的榮耀終將臨到萬國萬邦。這一段歷史就是所謂的 “沈默時代”- 沒有先知的啟示，上帝不講話，沈默了四百多年。

對當時的以色列人來說，他們或許會聯想到大衛或所羅門時代的輝煌 —— 那時列國來朝，列國懼怕以色列的勢力。但真正的救贖，不是回到那種軍國主義的強盛，而是進入一種更深層、更普世性的榮耀。

31節說：「願天歡喜，願地快樂！願人在列邦中說：耶和華作王了！」這其實已經在預告將來那位真正的君王——耶穌基督。祂不是像大衛那樣的戰士，也不是以色列人所期待的戰爭英雄或是政治領袖，而是那位謙卑、柔和，卻能在歷世歷代征服人心的救主。

來到《歷代志上》第17章，我們看見一個非常重要的啟示，值得我們深刻思考。

一開始，大衛心裡想：「我自己住在皇宮裡，上帝的約櫃卻還在帳篷中，這樣怎麼對？」於是他起了念頭，要為神建造聖殿。他去問拿單先知，拿單當時覺得這是好事，就說：「你去做吧，因為上帝與你同在。」

但當天晚上，上帝親自對拿單說話，給了完全不同的回答。祂說：「不行，你要轉告大衛，說他不可以為我建殿。」

這段話非常關鍵。上帝回顧歷史，從以色列人出埃及直到如今，祂從未要求人為祂建造一座殿。祂說：「我一直與我的百姓同在，無論是在會幕、在帳棚，我都在他們中間。」

然後，上帝話鋒一轉，說出一個更深的啟示：大衛原本是想為神建一個「House」（殿），但上帝卻說：「你不為我建殿；我要為你建立一個家室（House）。」在英文裡，這兩個「house」是同一個字，但一個是建築物，一個是家族、王朝。

也就是說，上帝要讓大衛明白，祂不缺一座房子，不需要人來替祂蓋什麼。真正重要的是，祂要親自來建立人，來建造大衛的家室、他的後代、甚至整個以色列的未來。

這讓我們重新思考：我們常以為「教會」是指建築，是指有個漂亮的禮拜堂。但從神的角度來看，教會從來不是那棟建築物，而是祂的子民。上帝從來不缺建築，也不需要我們來「提供」什麼給祂。反過來，是祂在建造我們，是祂為我們預備家室、預備未來。

這裡我們真的要再次提醒大家——很多時候，我們基督徒會不小心把「教會」等同於那棟建築物。說這是神的殿，要小心愛護，我們要為神建殿等等。

但親愛的弟兄姊妹，我們真的需要認真思考：是的，建築物有它的重要性，它可以成為我們聚會的場所，為我們提供遮風避雨的空間，讓人能夠聚集敬拜。這些都很好，但請記得——那棟建築，不是上帝真正的殿。

上帝的殿，是我們，是祂所愛的子民。祂要住在我們心中，而不是那一棟棟用磚牆蓋起來的建築物。

上帝的同在，遠遠比一座漂亮的教堂重要。祂所強調的從來不是「你來幫我蓋個豪華的居所」，因為祂不缺什麼，不需要人來補足祂。

這與外邦偶像的觀念正好相反。我們在小說或民間故事裡常會看到類似的情節——什麼菩薩託夢給某人，要他捐錢重修廟宇，因為廟快塌了、房子太舊了，搞得好像神明也在擔心房地產。

但聖經中，我們看到的是完全不同的畫面。上帝說，萬有都是祂的，天是祂的座位，地是祂的腳凳。人手所造的東西，又怎麼能與祂所有的一切相比？

上帝不是要一座房子來證明祂的尊貴，而是要祂的百姓尊主為大，願意讓祂住在我們裡面。祂真正的居所，是那些願意敬畏祂、順服祂的心。祂真正關心的是，我們的心是不是願意被祂建造，我們的生命是不是願意成為祂榮耀的居所。

所以，如果有機會建堂，感謝主，那就去建；但如果沒有，也不要覺得遺憾，更不要把建堂當作教會的唯一目標。因為神的心意從來不是一棟建築，而是祂的子民是否被建造起來。上帝在意的，是你有沒有把心思放在牧養祂的百姓、建立人的生命上。如果我們專注於建造人的心靈，時間到了，祂自然會供應一切所需。

從第11節開始到第14節，我們看到一段非常關鍵的啟示。這裡上帝對大衛說：「你壽數滿足，歸你列祖之後，我必興起你的後裔接續你的位。」

歷史上看，這個後裔最直接的應驗就是所羅門。他接續了大衛的王位，也確實為神建造了聖殿，這是第12節所提到的：「他必為我建造殿宇。」

接下來的13、14節，話鋒轉得更深、更遠：「我要作他的父，他要作我的子。我必不將我的慈愛從他收回，像我從你前面的掃羅收回一樣。我要將他的國永遠建立在我家裡和我國裡；他的國位也必堅定直到永遠。」

我們回來看這一段，其實講的不只是大衛的後裔，更是那位將要來的彌賽亞——耶穌基督。

第11節說到「你的後裔」，從家譜來看，耶穌的確是出於大衛家族的後代。但祂的出生不是按著人意，而是聖靈感孕，由馬利亞所生。祂在族譜上接續大衛的位分，卻超越了血統，是從天而來的君王。

第12節說：「他必為我建造殿宇。」當時人們認為這指的是聖殿，所羅門所建的那座金碧輝煌的建築。但耶穌卻說：「你們拆毀這殿，我三日內要把它重新建立起來。」祂指的不是石頭堆砌的建築，而是祂自己的身體，是復活的大能。

祂在說的，是一個全新的殿——我們的心。聖經後來清楚告訴我們，聖靈住在人心裡，我們就是神的殿。所以上帝今天要建造的，不是地上的殿宇，而是屬靈的殿，是祂子民的生命與心靈。

接下來第13節說：「我要作他的父，他要作我的子。」這在耶穌受洗時實現了——當天父的聲音從天上說：「你是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」這明確肯定了耶穌獨一無二的身份，祂是神的兒子，不是象徵性的稱呼，而是真實且永恆的關係。

第14節繼續說：「我要將他的國永遠建立在我家裡，他的國位也必堅定直到永遠。」這個國，不是地上的政權，不是某個國家的行政體制，而是那從耶穌開始、在人心中展開的國度——那跨越族群、國界與時代的神的國。

今天，這個國仍在繼續擴張，直到祂再來的那日。

從第16節以後，我們看到大衛聽見了神這樣的應許，他所做的第一件事，不是驕傲自滿，而是跪下來禱告。

他的禱告非常合宜，也非常感人。他一再說：「我是你的僕人，我這麼渺小，你竟然這樣看顧我？」他明白，這一切不是因為他自己有多偉大，而是神的恩典，是神自己的心意與計劃。

大衛沒有說：「你看我多有成就」、「我值得得這些榮耀」；相反地，他將一切榮耀都歸給神。他在第24節說：「願祢的名永遠被建立、被尊為大。萬軍之耶和華是以色列的神，是治理以色列的那一位。」

這就是大衛「合神心意」的真正原因。他從不把榮耀留給自己，也不掩飾自己的軟弱。他坦然地說自己微小、不足，說自己只是神的僕人。大衛的心，總是站在神的面前，謙卑地求恩典，真誠地獻上感謝。

你可以從他的禱告、他的詩篇，乃至他整個生命中，看見這樣的屬靈氣質——他不是一個沒有失敗的人，但他是一個願意把榮耀歸給神、願意讓神來建造他生命的人。

這也是我們今天可以學習的榜樣。

十七章堪稱是對將要來的彌賽亞國度最清晰的啟示，當然在當時的以色列人並沒有看得清楚，但今天的我們都知道，上帝的計劃一直都是不間斷的。感謝主！

我們這一講先到這邊，下一講我們繼續分享第歷代志上十八章的故事，感謝各位的聆聽，願上帝祝福各位。

Greetings, everyone! Today we’ll continue our series on 1 Chronicles chapters 16–17. These chapters record a grand celebration—the procession bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem—a most joyous and solemn event.

In this celebratory moment, David composed a song of praise to the Lord. We can see this song is actually a composite of many Psalms and carries profound prophetic significance.

What’s notable is that the author writes from the vantage point of exile—after Israel’s fall and the deportation to Persia. They had no nation, no king; and in that displaced condition, they looked back and recorded their history.

So why did the author choose to document this? What do those words mean in that context? Let’s explore this passage and uncover its message.

The song says: “Glorify His holy name; let those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek His face continually.” It reminds us that faith is an ongoing journey of pursuing God.

It then recalls the covenant God made with Abraham, the oath sworn to Isaac, and how that covenant was established as a statute to Jacob—Israel—an everlasting promise.

Even though this song was written during the exile, the author seems to speak directly to those displaced Israelites—reminding them the covenant has not been broken. Even if hope seems lost, their nation gone and people exiled, God’s covenant remains effective—He hasn’t abandoned it.

Verses 19–22 remind Israel: though your numbers are few, and you wander among nations without a home, God has always protected you and forbidden others to oppress you. He rebuked kings on your behalf—showing His ongoing care for His chosen people.

This continues the theme: Israel’s failure and downfall weren’t God’s fault—they turned away. This is a crucial theological point: God is reliable, but human disobedience leads to suffering. Yet God does not abandon His promises; He continues to watch over His people.

Beginning in verse 23, the song expands in scope: “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” This is not just about Israel—it’s a foretaste of God’s work throughout the world. Though Israel suffered, it was temporary; ultimately God’s glory would reach all nations. This historical period is often called the “silent years”—no prophets, no direct revelation—for over four hundred years.

For Israel, memories of David’s or Solomon’s glory might come to mind—nations coming to worship, fearing Israel’s power. But true redemption isn’t a return to militaristic dominance—it’s something deeper and more universal.

Verse 31 proclaims: “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’” This anticipates the coming Messiah—Jesus Christ. He is not like David the warrior or a political leader, but a humble, gentle Savior who conquers hearts through all ages.

Now turning to chapter 17, we encounter another profound revelation worth deep consideration.

Initially, David thinks: “I live in a palace, while the ark of God remains in a tent—this doesn’t seem right.” He proposes building a temple. He consults Nathan the prophet, and Nathan approves, saying, “Go ahead, because the Lord is with you.”

That very night, however, God speaks through Nathan with an entirely different message: “No, you shall not build a house for Me.”

This declaration is pivotal. God reminds them that from the Exodus onward, through the Tabernacle and tent, He dwelt among His people—not requiring a physical temple.

Then comes a stunning twist: God tells David, “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. But I will make you a house.” In Hebrew and English “house” can mean both physical structure and dynasty—God flips the meaning. The priority isn’t building a temple; it’s establishing David’s lineage, preparing the future of Israel.

This challenges how we think about “church.” From God’s perspective, the church is not a building, but His people. God doesn’t need brick walls—we’re the living temple He builds.

Let’s pause and consider a reminder here: we Christians must be careful not to equate “the church” with a building. Yes, buildings are useful—they give us a gathering place, shelter, and beauty for worship. But the structure itself isn’t God’s true dwelling.

God’s temple is people—His beloved. He lives in our hearts, not in walls. His presence matters far more than a beautiful sanctuary. He isn’t asking us to build Him a luxurious home—He doesn’t need anything from us. That’s completely different from idol worship—like when folk tales tell of inventions “requesting” money to repair temples. But Scripture says the heavens are God’s throne, and the earth His footstool—everything belongs to Him—how could anything humanity builds compare?

God wants worship in the hearts of His people. He cares whether our lives are living temples of His glory. If the opportunity arises to build a church building—great! But don’t make that your church’s mission. What matters most is building people, nurturing lives. When hearts are cultivated, time will bring provision.

From verses 11–14, we see a critical promise from God: “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you.” In history, this refers to Solomon, who built the temple. But then verses 13–14 continue with a deeper promise: “I will be his father, and he shall be My son. I will not withdraw my steadfast love… and I will establish his throne forever.” Solomon’s kingdom didn’t last forever—his dynasty fractured. So this reaches further—to the Messiah.

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment. He is of David’s lineage, but born of the Holy Spirit through Mary—He transcends mere bloodline. The temple David’s heir builds is not physical; Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it”—referring to His body. The true temple is the resurrected Christ; believers are individual temples of the Spirit.

God said He would be Father and the Messiah His Son. At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and the voice said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This was the divine affirmation of His eternal identity.

And “I will establish his throne forever”—this kingdom isn’t geopolitical, but spiritual—a kingdom that began in Jesus and now exists in hearts across nations and ages, growing until He returns.

From verse 16 onward, David’s response to God’s promise is a model prayer—humble, grateful, and Christ‑centered.

He said, “I am Your servant, the least of all Your household—yet You have done all this for me.” He recognized that none of this was due to his greatness but to God’s gracious purpose.

He didn’t say: “Look how strong I am,” or “I deserve this”—instead, he praised God’s name in verse 24: “May Your name be established and magnified forevermore. Your throne is established in righteousness.” He gave all glory to God, acknowledged his own weakness, and embraced his role as God’s servant—praying for grace and praising God.

From his prayers and psalms, we see David’s spiritual character: not perfection, but a man whose life pointed to God’s glory and the building of God’s work in him.

This chapter captures the clearest revelation of the coming Messiah’s kingdom—unseen by Israel at the time, yet part of an unbroken divine plan. Hallelujah!

That brings us to the end of today’s message. Next time, we’ll dive into 1 Chronicles chapter 18. Thank you for listening, and may God bless each of you.