A House For David.

A HOUSE FOR DAVID.

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 2 Samuel 7:8-11, 2 Samuel 7:16.

2 SAMUEL 7:1-5. There is a subtle difference between a good idea and God’s will.

God’s purposes will never fail, but amongst men an idea is often marred by mixed motives. For example, Israel’s reason for wanting a king was that they ‘might be like the nations’ around them (cf. 1 Samuel 8:19-20) - not a good motive for the people of God! They might have argued that things had not gone well without a king (cf. Judges 21:25), but their sundials were not synchronised with God’s plan: Saul was admired for his stature, but God was preparing David, a ‘man after His own heart’ (cf. Acts 13:21-22).

King David may also have had mixed motives in moving the Ark of the Covenant (cf. 2 Samuel 6). There is no word of David consulting the LORD about this idea, and the disorderly way in which the plan was first attempted cost a man his life. The second attempt was conducted according to the pattern laid down by the LORD, and was therefore successful - and the king danced before the LORD.

Then the king had another idea, to which Nathan the prophet also initially agreed: let us build a Temple (2 SAMUEL 7:2). Sometimes a specific person is not the one to set forward a particular purpose, which is nevertheless of the LORD. It is also evident that Christian mentors sometimes agree too readily to the hasty misplaced zeal of those whom they are supposed to be advising.

It was the LORD Himself who vetoed the plan for David to build a Temple. The idea seemed good, but the timing was wrong (2 SAMUEL 7:5). This is sometimes the reason for our allegedly “unanswered” prayers!

2 SAMUEL 7:8-11; 2 SAMUEL 7:16. The everlasting kingdom.

The LORD had taken David from the sheepfolds, and established the kingdom under his hands. The LORD was the giver, and David the recipient (2 SAMUEL 7:8-9). It was in the LORD’s gift to settle the people in the land, and give them rest from their enemies (2 SAMUEL 7:10-11) - rather than in David’s gift to make a permanent home for the LORD (cf. 2 SAMUEL 7:1).

David had wanted to build a house for the LORD, but the LORD intended rather to build the “house” - that is, the dynasty - of David (2 SAMUEL 7:16). Even during the dark years of the Exile, when there was once more no apparent “King” in Israel, the dispersed Jews held on to the hope of One who would come to re-establish David’s kingdom. Then one day the LORD returned, and taking up a new tabernacle walked right back into the lives of His people (cf. John 1:14).