In The Word
Read: 2 Samuel 7
David Plans to Build a Temple
7 Now it came about, when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I live in a house of cedar, but the ark of God remains within the tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But in the same night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and say to My servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Should you build Me a house for My dwelling? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; rather, I have been moving about in a tent, that is, in a dwelling place. 7 Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’
God’s Covenant with David
8 Now then, this is what you shall say to My servant David: ‘This is what the Lordof armies says: “I Myself took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have eliminated all your enemies from you; I will also make a great name for you, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. 10 And I will establish a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will malicious people oppress them anymore as previously, 11 even from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 12 When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind, 15 but My favor shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” 17 In accordance with all these words and all of this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
David’s Prayer
18 Then David the king came in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, Lord God, and who are the members of my household, that You have brought me this far? 19 And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant regarding the distant future. And this is the custom of mankind, Lord God. 20 Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, Lord God! 21 For the sake of Your word, and according to Your heart, You have done all this greatness, to let Your servant know. 22 For this reason You are great, Lord God; for there is no one like You, and there is no God except You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land, because of Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from other nations and their gods? 24 For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, Lord, have become their God. 25 Now then, Lord God, the word that You have spoken about Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do just as You have spoken, 26 so that Your name may be great forever, by saying, ‘The Lordof armies is God over Israel’; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 For You, Lord of armies, God of Israel, have given a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You. 28 Now then, Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth; and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.29 And now, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, so that it may continue forever before You. For You, Lord God, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
King David had reached a place in his life where he had peace on every side. This was a very refreshing time for King David who had known so much war and turmoil throughout his life up to this point. God had really blessed him in so many different ways. He looked around at how God had blessed him with a beautiful house. He then looked over to the Ark that remained in the tent. This did not set right with king David so he wanted to build God a house as well. This was a great gesture of love from king David but not necessary for God’s love to be bestowed upon king David. God told David that He was fine with the tent and appreciated the thought. He then commands King David not to build Him a house (read also in 1 Chronicles 17).
God saw and heard King David’s heart and it moved Him to make his own gesture of love by telling King David, “I will make you a great name and your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever.”
Sometimes when everything is going well and we are living in peace, we think that we have to do something extra to show God how much we love Him. The Lord appreciates that kind of heart but does not require that kind of service. It is enough that you are willing to do and serve if He asks. However, His love for us will always be there even when we do not ask. O Lord, how great You are!