In this chapter, we have God’s covenant with David.
David is dwelling in his house built of cedar, which Hiram, king of Tyre, had sent to and had built for him. It is thought that the events here in chapter 7 occurred after the events in chapter 8 as we read that “The LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around.” (7v1)
No doubt he is very comfortable in his new home, but there is something on his mind, so, David seeks advice from Nathan the Prophet. This is the first appearance of Nathan. Gad had previously been the prophet. “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent. “Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for The LORD is with you.” (v2,3)
During his years of exile David had promised to build a temple for the LORD. (Psalm 132). David was living in an expensive, well-built home but he is concerned that the ark of God was housed in a tent. We are not told that he actually said it, but Nathan gets the idea that David wants to build a temple to house the ark. The tabernacle, which housed the ark, was suitable when they were constantly on the move, but now they are settled in their own land given to them by God, it seemed suitable to have a more permanent home. He wanted to do something special for God to show his gratitude to God, and his intentions seemed to be thoroughly laudable, and Nathan realises that when he says, “Do all that is in your heart, for The LORD is with you”. Sounded a wonderful idea! However, God spoke to Nathan that same night to give him a message for David.
In Exodus 25:8,9 God gave command to Moses to build to pattern a tent of meeting. God didn’t ask for permanent building. The tent was known as the tabernacle and was suitable for people on the move. Israel is now in Jerusalem and David considers the ark should have a permanent home. They had previously been a pilgrim, travelling people and God says that He had gone with them wherever they went.
In v4-17 We have God’s response. We were not told that David or Nathan consulted God in verse 3 but here God speaks to Nathan and accordingly Nathan faithfully and fearlessly goes to speak to David. Nathan did not delay in telling David what The LORD had said to him. God says to Nathan to go and tell David that He had never asked anyone to build a house for the ark. He gives His promises (Covenant) to David and reminds him where He had brought him from to the position he is in today. He promises that he will have rest from his enemies and that his offspring will occupy the throne after him. His throne will be established forever. However, God says that David will not build a house for God, but his son will. 1 Chronicles 17:4,11,12.) The LORD would make David’s name great and give his people their land and they would be disturbed no more. God promised David a lasting dynasty which was greater than David’s offer to God. Not only would God build him a house, but He will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. “In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.” This showed that Nathan was faithful to God and did not hesitate to speak God’s words to David, even though he was the king, and even though it was not palatable to David.
In 1 Chronicles 28:3 David recounts this incident and say that God said “You shall not build a house for my name because you have been a man of war and shed blood …. Your son Solomon will build it.”
David obviously wants to do more than God asks but even though God says “No” David does not take umbrage, he doesn’t act in anger, but he graciously gathers all the materials together for his son to build it. David also bought the land where the temple was eventually built. (2 Samuel 24:18). It was many years later that God told David why the answer was “No”. David receives the word from Nathan and makes a prayer of thanks to God in submission to God’s will (v18-29).
“It is of the utmost importance that we should ever test our desires, even the highest and holiest of them, by His will. Work, excellent in itself, should never be undertaken, save at the express command of God. The passing of time will always vindicate the wisdom of the Divine Will.” (Campbell Morgan)
In his superb devotional, entitled, ‘A Noble Purpose Unrealised’ F.B.Meyer writes, “If you cannot have what you hoped, do not sit down in despair and allow the energies of your life to run to waste; but arise, and gird yourself to help others to achieve. If you may not build, you may gather materials for him that shall. If you may not go down the mine, you can hold the ropes.” “…. never surrender your ideal, nor act unworthily of it, nor disobey the heavenly vision. Above all, when you come to the house of cedar, and God has given you rest, be more than ever careful to gird yourselves, and arise to realize the purpose that visited you when you kept your father’s sheep.” “GOD EXPLAINS HIS REASONS AFTERWARDS. What we know not now, we shall know hereafter. The blood-stained hand might not raise the temple of peace. It would have wounded David needlessly to have been told this at the time. It was enough to wrap up the Divine “No” in a promise of infinite blessing; but, as the years passed, the reason for God’s refusal grew clear and distinct before him. Meanwhile, David possessed his soul in patience, and said to himself: God has a reason, I cannot understand it; but it is well.” “…. God will credit us with what we would have been if we might. In the glory David will find himself credited with the building of the temple on Mount Zion.”
An encouragement to us all to do what we can for God, or perhaps more correctly, to do what He would have us do even when it is not what we envisaged in the first place.
The family of David ruled for over 400 years, but evil caused their removal. However, the prophets foretold a greater fulfilment. This was fulfilled by God raising up a new branch ‘out of the stump of Jesse’ (Isaiah 11:1-2).
See also Jeremiah 23:5,6 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
Isaiah 9:6,7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
Luke 1:31-33 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the LORD God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
So, we see most clearly that God’s promises are fulfilled completely in Jesus Christ.
David responds with a prayer of gratitude and shows great humility. “Who am I, O LORD God and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far.” He is astounded by God’s goodness to the point of being speechless. He continued, “You are great, O LORD GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name; and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land; before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God.” (v18-24)
He is completely overwhelmed by the graciousness of God. He recognises the greatness of God and the generosity of God. He obviously accepted God’s “No” and praised Him. He is overwhelmed that God should give such wonderful promises and make this covenant with him and he even goes so far as to ask God to fulfil it. (v25-29)
David’s prayer is a heartfelt plea to God. These are not just empty words. The old hymn says, ‘I often say my prayers, but do I ever pray and do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say. I may as well kneel down and worship gods of stone. As offer to the living God a prayer of words alone.’ (John Burton). This was apparently written for children, but it applies to us all. We are all guilty of just mouthing words but nothing really coming from our hearts. In some respects, The LORD’s Prayer or the Disciple’s Prayer can be like that. They are wonderful words, full of depth of meaning and importance. We must think about what we are saying, and it must come from the heart. David’s prayer indicated that he fully accepted by faith these amazing things which God was saying to him. “You are God and Your words are true….” (v28)
