For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

1 CHRONICLES 17:25KJV
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1 Chronicles 17:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 17:25 mean?

In 1 Chronicles 17:25, David explains why he is praying to God: God has promised to build him a “house.” David understands the promise as concerning his family and its future, rather than a building for him to live in.

David calls himself God’s “servant” as he speaks. The phrase “found in his heart to pray” pictures him finding the resolve to bring his request before God. His prayer follows God’s message to him through the prophet Nathan.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 17:25

  • “house” — בַּיִת (bayit): This word can mean a physical house or a family line. Here the wider passage points to David’s descendants and their rule as kings.
  • “found” — מָצָא (matsa): This word often means to find or discover. With “in his heart,” it helps express David’s willingness or courage to pray.

Why 1 Chronicles 17:25 matters

  • The “house” points beyond David’s own lifetime. Earlier in the passage, God speaks of raising up one of David’s sons and establishing his rule (verse 11).
  • David’s prayer grows out of what he has heard, rather than a plan he first proposed for himself. The verse gives the reason with “therefore”: God’s promise comes first, and David’s prayer follows.
  • The passage plays on two meanings of “house.” David had wanted to build a house for God, but God’s message instead speaks of establishing a house for David (verses 1–10).

Where else these words appear

“pray” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
  • Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.