Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 17:15

"According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David." — 1 Chronicles 17:15 (ASV)

According to all these words, and according to all this vision. —The substance of this prophecy (1 Chronicles 17:3–15) undoubtedly rests upon authentic tradition. Neither the compiler of Samuel, however, nor the chronicler claims to give an exact report of Nathan's words, as if they had been recorded on the spot, as they were spoken, by some shorthand reporter. The modern demand for literal accuracy was unknown to ancient Eastern cultures. Where the two narratives differ, sometimes Samuel, sometimes the Chronicle, contains the more original form of the tradition. 1 Chronicles 17:15 (2 Samuel 7:17), in fact, seems to imply that the essence, rather than the actual words, of the oracle is given.

2. David’s prayer (1 Chronicles 17:16–27). The remarks on 1 Chronicles 17:15 also apply generally to this section. The prayer undoubtedly breathes the genuine Davidic spirit, even if it is merely an ideal soliloquy. But why could David himself not have recorded its substance as a memorial?