David’s Desire
After the
Ark is brought up to Jerusalem, David desires to build a sturdier place for the
Ark to reside. Up until now, the Ark has
resided in a simple tent. There is no worldly
glory surrounding the Ark. There was no
grand and impressive structure to draw attention to the Ark. To David it must feel like the Ark is an
afterthought to the rest of the greatness of Jerusalem. From this perspective, who can fault David
for desiring to give back to God?
In fact,
I don’t believe David should be faulted.
As David hatches this idea, he consults Nathan, the prophet that seemed
to serve the king personally. Let’s give
David credit. Yes, he has the idea. But David pauses and does what he can to
check with God and make sure his plan is God’s will. Here we see more of that submission and
humbleness that gets David to be called a man after God’s own heart.
At first,
Nathan gives approval. In fact, if
anyone demonstrates a fault here it is Nathan.
David pauses to check with God, but Nathan gives approval before hearing
from God. That night God decides to correct
His prophet. In a dream, God reminds
Nathan of a few truths about Himself.
Nathan’s Dream
First,
for the whole history of the Hebrew people God has dwelled in a tent. When the Ark was built, so was the
tabernacle. When the people moved, the
tabernacle and the Ark moved with them.
In fact, God makes a point to make sure that Nathan understands that God
has never once complained about the fact that no permanent structure has ever
been built for His Ark.
Truth be
known, there is an incredible symbolism to having the Ark in a tabernacle
instead of a temple. Tabernacles are
mobile, reminding the people that God’s Spirit and power are always on the
move. God is not a God who can be
confined. He is active and living and
moving in places we could not even imagine looking!
Then God
turns to the topic of David. God tells
Nathan to inform David that it is not David who shall built the house for God
but rather God who should build the house for David. Of course, David’s palace is already complete
at this point. Thus, we know that God is
not talking about a physical house but rather a genealogical house. God is going to build a dynasty for David. Here is the reward for a Hebrew king who
remembers the Lord: the Lord will not forget him.
The Lord
tells David that his throne will be established forever. Yes, David will die. He will walk with his fathers. But David’s live will not die. David’s line will be confirmed. We know the truth of such a promise. Even in the chronicler’s day they knew which
of the exiles returning from underneath Persian rule were the rightful heirs to
David’s throne. Of course we also know
of God’s greater fulfillment of this promise in Jesus.
Obedience
Like a
true prophet, Nathan is obedient. He
knows that he had given approval to David.
Thus, after Nathan hears a contrary message from God he goes to David
and corrects his earlier commitment.
Nathan tells God’s will to David.
This
takes a fair amount of courage on Nathan’s behalf. Nathan has to admit he’s wrong. But in doing so, he also has to tell David
that he can’t do what he wants to do.
Imagine telling the king that he isn’t permitted to do what he wants
after you already told him that he could do it!
Nathan shows great courage in going to David and acknowledging his error
in judgment.
David’s Humility
When
David hears the report from Nathan, his reaction is commendable. After all, he is the king! How many human kings would have gotten upset
at being told that they couldn’t do their heart’s desire? But not David. David comes humbly before God.
David
acknowledges to the Lord that until the Lord anointed him he was just a
shepherd. He knows that he’s made his
fair share of mistakes. He knows that he
hasn’t done a thing to deserve God’s favor and love and certainly not His
everlasting covenant! Rather than being
angry at being told no, David is awed by what God does say with respect to
David’s house.
David
sees with a broad perspective. David
doesn’t narrowly look upon his own life or even lifespan. David isn’t solely concerned with the less
than a century that he would live.
Instead, David is focused on God’s focus. He sees God’s hand at work and recognizes
that God’s agenda is far superior to his own.
Yes, he may not live to see that day.
But David’s focus still remains with God. What an incredible testimony, especially
coming from a king! Oh that all the
rulers of the earth could be so humble.
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