David's Everlasting Heir
Introduction: Though David desired to build a temple for God as he sat in his own luxurious house, after first agreeing with him, Nathan came back to him with an interesting message from the LORD. The account in 2 Samuel chapter 7 is the primary text for this study. Part of the answer from the LORD could be applied to Solomon and to a physical temple, but another part is prophetic about the descendant of David whose throne will last forever.
NOTE: All Bible passages are taken from the American King James Version.
A — David Desired to Build a Temple for the LORD
2 Samuel 7 “1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; 2 That the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains. 3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you.”
Comments: When David became king over all Israel, Jerusalem was taken from the Jebusites and David established it as the royal city. King David had the ark of God brought into Jerusalem and placed into a tent he had prepared for it. Then as David was secure and comfortable in his own house he spoke to Nathan about providing a permanent house for the ark of God. Nathan's first reaction was to agree with David as he said the LORD was with him.
B — Nathan Was Moved by the LORD to Speak to David
2 Samuel 7 “4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus said the LORD, Shall you build me an house for me to dwell in? 8 Now therefore so shall you say to my servant David, Thus said the LORD of hosts, I took you from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9 And I was with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies out of your sight, and have made you a great name, like to the name of the great men that are in the earth.”
Comments: That very night the word of the LORD came to Nathan with details of the response he was to give to David about this desire to build a temple. The LORD referred to David as his servant, but David was not to build a house for God. Nathan was directed to remind David that it was the LORD of hosts who had taken him from tending sheep to become ruler over Israel. The LORD had been with David wherever he went, cut off David's enemies, and made a great name for David comparable to the great men of the earth.
C — The LORD Would Establish His People and David's Descendant
2 Samuel 7 “10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime. 11 Also the LORD tells you that he will make you an house.”
Comments: The LORD wanted David to know that he would appoint a place especially for his people and plant them securely. The last clause “the LORD tells you that he will make you an house” is better understood as meaning family or descendants. David understood this to mean his family and his line would be preserved into the future with blessing from the LORD. When Solomon was king the LORD warned him of the consequences if he did not walk in integrity of heart and follow all of the commands of the LORD. Solomon eventually did turn away, and the temple was ultimately destroyed.
D — The House for the Name of God
2 Samuel 7 “12 And when your days be fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.”
Comments: When this message was delivered from the LORD by Nathan to David, Solomon was not even foreseeable. David's expectation would have been that one of his sons would succeed him on the throne and build a house for God. Much happened in succeeding years which David could not have anticipated. Near the end of his life he appointed Solomon as his successor and made many preparations for Solomon to build the temple. However, the more significant fulfillment of these prophetic words spanned many more centuries and pointed to a descendant of David in the flesh who would build a spiritual house over an everlasting kingdom. Isaiah 9 “6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David.”
E — The Throne of the Kingdom That Will Last Forever
2 Samuel 7 “14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established for ever before you: your throne shall be established for ever.”
Comments: David had been chastened by the LORD for his iniquity as a father chastens a son, but the mercy of the LORD had not been taken from him as it had been from King Saul. There is a descendant of David who came through the line of David's son Nathan, born of a virgin to be son of man and Son of God. He took the discipline for others as he had no guilt of his own. Paul provides an excellent overview: Romans 1 “3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, thank you for the additional scripture that has helped me to see other dimensions as I have studied this passage to better appreciate your perpetual blessing to King David, and to all who place their faith and trust in you alone. Give me the discernment to use the opportunities you place before me to be faithful to your kingdom. Thank you for the many mercies in my life just as scripture records your mercy given to David. May I through your Spirit never move to a point of worship of any but you, LORD, the true and living God. I praise you, LORD, that you have made me part of your family and of your kingdom by grace through faith in the unique son of David who is the Son of God. Amen.
Published 13 June 2015