Day 48: 2 Samuel 7:1–16

“When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom” (v. 12).

With the confetti swept from the streets, the merchants back to work, and the children back in class, after what seemed like an endless struggle, “the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him” (v. 1). In the resulting peace, we get another glimpse of David’s character.

Have you ever noticed how the body rests more readily than the mind? We may seize the opportunity to put our feet up for awhile, but the mind stays in overdrive. I think David had a little difficulty getting his mind to rest. Certain thoughts occurred to David after “the Lord had given him rest.”

We’ve all experienced a sudden bout of sober realization, times when we are horror-struck by our own audacity. This was one of those times in the life of David. Life was calm. Enemies were subdued. Perhaps he was taking a load off, perched on his throne, when suddenly his eyes were unveiled to the splendor around him. The one who found refuge in a cave was now throned in a magnificent palace. He must have looked around and thought, What’s wrong with this picture? He responded with shock: “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent” (v. 2).

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 this point. He summoned the prophet Nathan as if lightning would strike if he didn’t.

God’s message through Nathan to His new king was so rich. He began with a gentle rebuke: “Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?” (v. 5). In other words, “David, did I tell you to do that?” God reminded David that He is fully capable of appointing a servant for specific tasks. If we’re seeking Him through prayer and Bible study, we will not likely miss His appointments. We need to wait on Him even when we have a great plan.

When we wait on God, He gives supernatural strength and accomplishes the inconceivable! Did you notice that God gave David the initial vision for the project (the temple), but his offspring was to build it? God can entrust a vision or an idea to us that may be ours to pray about and prepare for but never to participate in directly.

As I read God’s gentle rebuke to Nathan and David, I saw another wonderful principle at work. God said, “I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling” (v. 6). God seemed to be saying, “As long as my people are on the move, I’m on the move! You can’t tie me down as long as my people are mobile!”

Isn’t He wonderful? The “tent” to which God was referring was the Old Testament tabernacle designed by God to move with the people! That’s God’s way. You can’t leave home without Him. The New Testament says it this way: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

The climactic point in God’s message to David comes in verse 11. Allow me to paraphrase: “David, you won’t build a house for Me. I’m going to build a house for you!” What overwhelming words! We want to do so many things for God, then they suddenly pale in comparison to the realization of all He wants to do for us! Romans 8:32 says,

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

David discovered what we all eventually discover: you can’t outgive God.

God drew His message to a close by issuing what is often called the Davidic Covenant. He issued 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 (v. 14), but God’s kingdom covenant was completely unconditional. The covenant rested on God’s faithfulness, not man’s.

Interestingly, many years later David reflected on an additional reason why God did not choose him to build the temple. In 1 Chronicles 28:3, David remembered: “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. I am touched by the mercy of God toward his beloved David. He did not snatch the privilege from him in judgment. Rather, He allowed David’s son to receive the honor.

What could be better than being appointed to do a marvelous task for God? For me, it would be for my child to do a marvelous task for God! I would happily forfeit participation in the great things of God for my children to inherit the opportunity instead!