How long is forever? Read 1 Chronicles 17:7-22

Three times in this passage, in v12,14, God makes forever promises to David that concern his son Solomon.  Note what we just said: the promises are made to David but they deal with Solomon.  Solomon’s throne will be established forever in the house and kingdom of God!  Let us consider the implications of this.

Today there are many people who waver on God’s unconditional promises to Abraham (of a land, nation and Savior) and David (of a house and throne).  Unconditional means there is nothing that can get in the way of God’s fulfillment of His word; nothing can render them null and void.  That seems to be the way today’s passage sounds as God makes His covenant with David.

The Hebrew word forever (owlam) has the idea that there is no thought of time with respect to something.  The idea is that if God makes a promise forever there will never be a time when that promise will fail.  

The classic use of this term, that gives us an illustration of its use, is in Gen. 21:33.  Abraham had finally seen the birth of Isaac, but just before the test on Mt. Moriah where God would ask him to sacrifice his only son, Abraham had had a special time of worship in Beersheba.  Abraham had made an agreement with the local king Abimelech and by that covenant Abraham was given authority over seven wells.  Finally he had a small piece of the land God promised to him.  He was so moved that it says he planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God (El Owlam).  The conviction that God was eternal gave rise to Gen. 22 and Abraham’s faithful obedience in taking Isaac to be sacrificed.  

Now come back to today’s passage. You may have noticed that David spoke of the covenant as being for a great while to come (v17).  Don’t be confused.  David also used the term forever (v22,23).  But being finite David does the best he can to define forever as a great while to come.  He was not putting a limit on forever; he was just speaking in human terms.  And he was right: forever is a great while.  And actually, the term he used (Heb. rachowq), just speaks of something that is far off or remote.  He was actually acknowledging: forever is something that is way out there and we can’t get a handle on it.

Going further in the passage, we see that forever is applied to Solomon.  David sinned terribly and God did not disinherit him.  Solomon did terribly in turning to other gods.  Yet, God did not disinherit him either.  The promise to Solomon was owlam, forever.  Were there consequences?  Of course!  Because of Solomon’s idolatry the nation was divided.  But one of the promises regarding the Messianic time is that the divided nation will be united again (e.g. Ezek. 37:15-28).  

Jesus the Messiah fulfills this.  We are reminded that the Millennial Kingdom is not the final story of eternity.  Eternity is wrapped up in the Eternal One who will forever be the Son of God and the Son of David!  Praise to the Eternal God!