Today's treasure: 2 Samuel 7:11
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17
What concern did David share with the prophet Nathan? v.2
In your opinion, which of his virtues did David display when he expressed concern about a dwelling place for God?
Sometimes God offers us rest we do not accept. The body seems to rest more readily than the mind.
David may have had a little difficulty getting his mind to rest. Sometimes we can be too busy to think and all sorts of plans seem to pour like a waterspout when things get settled.
For David, life was calm, enemies subdues, perhaps he was sitting on his throne when his eyes were unveiled to the splendor around him. Once in a cave, and now in a palace.
Perhaps several virtues could be noted in David's sudden reaction to his surroundings, but let's not miss the virtue of humility so present in his life at that point. He summoned the prophet Nathan the moment the thought had occurred.
God issued several wonderful and significant promises through the prophet Nathan in verses 9-16.
The promises capture a wonderful moment between God and His chosen king. We get a glimpse of the highly reciprocal relationship and behold the elements of their everlasting covenant. Nathan emerges as a new figure in Israel's history. God apparently never intended for civil leaders to have absolute and unquestioned authority. God calls prophets to issue His Word, not the messages leaders want to hear. Samuel prophesied to King Saul. Nathan served as the prophet in the royal court of David.
King David sought Nathan's counsel, David didn't consider himself above reproach or need for advice. David's statement assumed the question, "What am I to do about the ark?" His sudden sense of audacity drew him to accountability.
James 5:16 directs us to an important form of accountability.
Sometimes even a fellow believer can offer wrong advice. We are wise to make sure their advice agrees with God's Word. God used David's concern as a teaching tool for both David and Nathan. He taught them a lesson on making assumptions.
God's message to His new king was so rich, He began with a gentle rebuke we must remember every time we have a good and noble idea: "Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?" In other words, "Have I appointed you to do that?" God reminded David that He is fully capable of appointing a servant for specific tasks. We need to wait on HIM even when we have a great plan.
These verses will tell of us waiting on the Lord..
Isaiah 40:31 and Isaiah 64:4
When we wait on God, He gives supernatural strength and accomplishes the inconceivable. God can entrust a vision or idea that may be ours to pray and prepare for, but not participate directly.
God's way: we can't leave home without HIM!!
The Greek word for dwelling is skenoo. It means to "encamp, pitch a tent..to tabernacle.." God was pitching a tent so He could be where His people were, so that one day they could be where He was.
The climatic point in God's message to David was in verse 11. We want to do so many things for God, then suddenly pale in comparison to the realization of all HE wants to do for us.
Read Romans 8:32
Are we accepting all God has to offer us??
David discovered what we often discover. You can't out give God. God draws His message to a close by issuing what is often called the Davidic Covenant. He issues His promise in the form of a declaration. (vv. 11-16) Notice that the blessings and cursings of God on David's son might be conditional, but God's kingdom covenant was completely unconditional.
Many years later David reflected on an additional reason why God did not choose for him to build the temple. In i Chron. 28:3 David said, "God said to me. 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.'" God chose to have His temple built during a reign characterized by peace. He allowed David's son to have the honor.
We will soon see that David was completely overwhelmed, as we get to see more deeply into the heart of David...
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