Lesson 5 - 2 Sam. 7:1-16 - DAVID'S PLANS TO BUILD A TEMPLE
INTRODUCTION: Last week. In 2 Sam. 6:15, 12-19, we covered the report of David's efforts to move the Ark of the Covenant from the place where it had been stored for 20 years at Kiriath-Jearim (9 miles NW) to Jerusalem. David's purpose for doing this was noble-to move Israel's most holy relic-which represented the throne and presence of the LORD GOD-to the Israel's new capitol in Jerusalem to signify that they were now one people under God. But in his haste, his preparations for moving the Ark were completely careless and cost the life of a man-Uzzah-while he was only trying keep the Ark from falling off the ox drawn cart. Fearing to move the Ark any further, David left it at the house of Obed-edom, a Levite. When David saw how God had blessed the house of Obed-edom for his careful stewardship of the Ark, he then, amid great celebration and fanfare, he transported it to Jerusalem according to the exact manner prescribed by Torah Law. As modern Christians, the main point of application was that reverence to God's holy presence should rule our approach to Him in our worship of him in church. Over a period of years, Israel had forgotten how to show proper reverence to the presence of God symbolized by the Ark. In the same way, there are church goers today who attempt to use their attendance in church as a good luck charm-something to make them feel good about themselves, thinking that God will bless them for simply being there. This is a big mistake. The fact is that we worship the same all-knowing God as the Israelites, and like them, need to prepare our hearts before we seek to go into His almighty presence.
This week, in 2 Sam. 7:1-16, we come into the story of David as he's making plans to build a Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant, in effect, to build a house for God in Jerusalem. We will be introduced to a new character, Nathan the prophet, who will inform David that God has other plans, not only in relation to a future Temple (to be built by David's son), but far more importantly, a plan to continue David's dynasty forever, a plan to save not only Israel, but the entire world.
Read 2 Sam. 7:1-3 - THE ARK OF GOD DWELLS WITHIN TENT CURTAINS
1 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 dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the LORD is with you."
v. 1a: "Now it came about when the king lived in his house," - This was a house of cedar wood that Hiram, king of Tyre, had built for David, truly a magnificent wooden palace.
v. 1b: "and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies," - As we learned in previous chapters, David, with the LORD's help as a military leader had defeated all the enemies that threatened Israel and now, at long last, he could "rest" from his role as a military leader.
v. 2: "that the king said to Nathan the prophet," - This is the first mention of "Nathan the prophet." We don't know how he came into David's life, but the text identifies him as prophet, and it's clear that David regards him as such. He will become a very important figure in David's life.
v. 2b: "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains." - Here, we see David compare his own luxurious house with the modest "tent" in which God dwells.
v. 3: "Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the LORD is with you." - Nathan's initial response to David's plan to build a temple is positive, but this is just a human response; he had not yet consulted God about this matter.
Read 7:4-7 - THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO NATHAN
4 But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5 "Go and say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD, "Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? 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; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"'
v. 4: "But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,' - The phrase," the word of the LORD came to," is the standard Biblical introduction to a prophetic utterance from God. Proof of its God-inspired authenticity lies in the fact that it was in direct contradiction to the personal view that Nathan had expressed in v. 3.
v. 5: "Go and say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD, "Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in?" - Since God's statement comes as a question "Are you the one," it strongly implies a negative answer. According to 1 Chron. 22:8: 23:3, David was not chosen by God to build the Temple because he was a warrior who shed much blood. Also, the phrase "build Me a house" strongly implies that the omnipresent Lord can't be 'housed' in a structure built by human hands.
v. 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; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.'" - From the implication of v. 5, God raises a fundamental question: Does God really need a temple? I mean, will the Temple do something for Him that the tent/tabernacle is failing to do? God's 'tabernacle' was located wherever God's tent was pitched and all the other holy paraphernalia was set up around it.
v. 7: "Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'" - Again, God's question implies a negative answer and adds a little sarcasm. When Israel entered the Promised Land, he never asked the people to build "a house of cedar," which implies a very durable and long-lasting type of dwelling. Cedar, an imported wood, was a very costly building material in Palestine. Since God didn't ask for a temple, David lacked the authority to build one. He needed to seek God's counsel before he acted. His recent experience in moving the Ark should have been an object lesson.
Read 2 Sam. 7:8-11ab - I WILL MAKE YOU A GREAT NAME
8 "Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. 10 I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies.
v. 8: "Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel." - God reminds David of his humble origins and God's decision to elevate him to the throne. David did nothing to deserve this honor. The entire initiative was God's. All the action was God's.
v. 9a: "I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you;" -God reminds David that it was He who gave David victory-against the lions and bears as a shepherd, against the Philistine giant Goliath, against all of Saul's efforts to eliminate him, against the Amalekites, the Philistines, and Ish-bosheth in the north. God's hand was on him all of this time.
v. 9b: "and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth." - Among flesh and blood men, David had risen to become one of the great kings of the earth in those days. He would be remembered down through the ages. But as we continue the narrative, we'll discover that this is just a preliminary blessing, with a much greater blessing to come.
v. 10: "I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly," - God has not only elevated David to a position of worldly greatness, but will also establish Israel as a secure nation, with no reason to fear enemies (for the time being at least). There is an unfulfilled future aspect to this promise that we will discuss in the verses which follow.
v. 11a: "even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel;" -This refers to one of the most turbulent and unstable periods of Israel's history between the conquest of the Promised land and the establishment of a monarchy under Saul. Samuel was the last judge.
v. 11b: "and I will give you rest from all your enemies." - David had been a warrior nearly all his life, fighting battles all over the kingdom of Israel, and for the first many years could hang up his sword and "rest." This idea is also tied to a future fulfillment of this promise. David's battles aren't over.
2 Samuel 7:11c-16 - THE LORD WILL MAKE A HOUSE FOR YOU
NOTE: These verses comprise the Davidic Covenant. It is one of the most significant declarations in the OT, and ranks with God establishing a covenant with Abram and the calling of Moses from the burning bush. In this covenant, God promises David a dynasty, an everlasting one.
11c The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you. 12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth 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 commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever."'"
v. 11c: "The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you." - The word used for "house" (Heb. ba·yit) can mean a household, a family or more broadly, a dynasty. Some years back, a cousin of mine informed me of an ancestor on my mother's side of the family (Branch) who came to America in the original Jamestown, Virginia settlement in 1607, even before the Mayflower.
v. 12: "When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom." - The immediate fulfillment of this promise is David's son Solomon, who will take up his throne. But the far more important fulfillment of this promise will be the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messianic king, who is also the seed of David. (Matt. 1:1; Acts 13:22-23; Rom. 1:3; Rev. 11:14-19).
v. 13: "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." - The initial fulfillment of this promise will be accomplished through David's son, Solomon, who will go on to build a Temple in Jerusalem. But the far more important fulfillment will come through his line to Jesus, who will build an everlasting kingdom of God; and it will be Jesus who will reign over an a "forever" kingdom, an eternal kingdom. (Matt. 26:61; 27:40; Mark 14:58; John 19-22).
v. 14a: "I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me;" - The concept here is adoption: it will be Solomon in the first instance, but the ultimate fulfillment will be Jesus as the true Son of God.
v. 14b: "when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men," - This reference is to Solomon. God will allow Israel's enemies to chasten him, but will not allow them to destroy him. This verses suggests that Solomon will have clay feet, and he did.
v. 15: "but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you." - This verse expresses the unconditional character of the Davidic Covenant-David's and Solomon's throne will be established forever. David's dynasty was interrupted during the Babylonian captivity but will be restored when Christ, the seed of David, returns to reign over all the earth. This refers to as eschatological End-Time. (Rev. 19:1-21).
v. 16: "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever."' -In the near sense, this promise will seem to be unfulfilled. After Solomon's death, Solomon's kingdom will split between the southern and northern kingdoms. The northern kingdom will vanish when its conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the southern kingdom will disappear in 585 B.C. with the Babylonian captivity. But what appears on the surface to be a simple promise to David will turn out to be something vastly more important, because this and the other promises will ultimately be fulfilled by Jesus, the seed of David-the Messiah promised. The early church will see this story and the promises made to David as foundational for the church-the new people of God, the new Israel.
APPLICATION-Understanding God's Timing
1. We should always go to the Lord first before making important decisions or giving counsel to others. In our humanity, we can never assume we know the right answer about the important issues in our lives. In our text, David, out of human desire, wanted to build a 'house' for God but learned from the prophet Nathan that God had a different plan for him. A far better plan.
2. No structure built by human hands can contain God. God presence was manifested in the original tabernacle and later in Solomon's Temple because He chose to reveal Himself. At the same time, however, we must recognize that God is omnipresent-everywhere in the universe at all times. The same principle applies to modern churches today: God is present in any church today that worships and serves Him in Spirit and Truth. At the same time, there are many magnificent buildings all over the world that claim to be houses of God, but God no longer occupies them.
3. We must remain patient to wait on God's timing. David did not see the fulfillment of God's promise-that his throne would be established forever-in his lifetime. And we, as believing Christians, do not see the fullness of God's kingdom but have the assurance that it is coming because God has promised it to us.
