Joseph Benson’s Bible Commentary
1 Chronicles 17:14
I will settle him in my house In my dwelling-place, 1st, In Jerusalem, the place where God had put his name for ever; or, 2d, In the temple, which is more properly and constantly called God's house; and so this expression agrees but very imperfectly with Solomon or his successors; who might, indeed, be said to be settled in God's house, because they dwelt near it, and, in some sort, were set over it; and because they were to take care that the priests and others should perform their offices, and God's service in it; but, strictly and properly, it agrees only to Christ, to whom alone that promise also of an everlasting establishment in this kingdom belongs, as was observed on 2 Samuel 7:16. And this expression seems to be most emphatically added to signify that the person in whom all those promises should be fully and perfectly accomplished, namely, the Messiah, should be settled not only in the king's throne, as others of David's successors were, but also in God's house or temple; and consequently that he should be a priest as well as a king; which mystery was clearly revealed to David, Psalms 110:1; Psalms 110:4, and may be intimated, though obscurely, in these words. And in my kingdom Either, 1st, In the kingdom of Israel, which God calls his kingdom, because he was, in a special manner, the king and governor of it, having raised them up and formed them into a kingdom, and given them that protection and assistance which kings owe to their kingdoms; and because he expected and required from them what kings do from their people, that they should be wholly governed by his laws, and devoted to his service. Or, 2d, In God's kingdom, in a more large and general sense. And this, as well as the former phrase, may seem singularly to belong to the Messiah, who was not only to be the king of Israel, but also of all nations, as was foretold even in the Old Testament, in sundry passages; and, thus understood, this may be an intimation of that great mystery, which is more fully revealed in the New Testament, namely, that Christ is the head, king, or governor of all God's church, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, and of all nations, and indeed of all creatures, the angels not excepted; all which is God's kingdom, and by him given to his Son, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.