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DAVID’S PROPOSAL TO BUILD A HOUSE (II)
THURSDAY, JULY 23
2 Samuel 7

1 Chronicles 22:6-13

 

“…the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou,
and build the house of the LORD thy God,

as he hath said of thee.”

 

DAVID’S PROPOSAL TO BUILD A HOUSE (II)
 
After leaving Egypt, Moses was given the blueprint of the tabernacle by God. Israel could set it up and move it wherever they stopped in their journey. That structure was a means to assist in rendering due worship to the Lord. Everything was done as per the Lord’s instructions.
 
Then, as king in his palace in the Promised Land, the proposal by David to build the house of the Lord was not out of place because, by then, the people were no longer living in tents. It was logical for them to build for themselves houses, as they had no intention of moving away from the Promised Land. There was, however, no revelation from the Lord about the house of worship. David reasoned that it was needful to build a house of worship. Nathan was in agreement. However, the Lord made His will known to them. Here is an observation on this incident.
 
David, being at rest in his palace, considered how he might best employ his leisure and prosperity in the service of God. He designed a temple for the ark. Nathan here did not speak as a prophet, but as a godly man, encouraging David with his private judgment. We ought to do all we can to encourage and promote the good purposes and designs of others, and, as we have opportunity, to forward a good work (Matthew Henry).
 
God answered David through Nathan, forbidding the king to build a house for the Lord. It was revealed later in 1 Chronicles 22:8 (when he charged Solomon) that the Lord had told David that he had shed much blood in wars, thus he was not allowed to build a house for the Lord. This detail is not recorded in the current text. The Lord had many other things for David to fulfil. The Lord disclosed the important factors first. He told David that He did not need to dwell in a house. The idea in itself, however, shows the desire of David’s heart to do something good for the Lord.
 
THOUGHT: A loving heart plans good things for the Lord.

PRAYER: Father, let me always engage in things that glorify Thee.

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