David Wanted to Build a Temple

2 Samuel 7:1-29

“After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.’” 2 Samuel 7:1

When the dust settled and David had a little breathing spell, he sat in his beautiful new cedar home, and his thoughts turned toward God. He wanted to build a beautiful house for God and a place appropriate for the ark. Our thoughts during our leisure time tell much about us.

I can imagine David’s excitement and enthusiasm as he told Nathan the prophet what he wanted to do. It sounded like a good plan to Nathan, and he said, in essence, “Go for it, David!” Notice:  the two men thought this was a good idea but neither of them had consulted God. Not every dream we have comes from God, not even if it is a noble dream and not even if it is confirmed by God’s people. Only God knows the plans He has for our lives.

That night God told Nathan He didn’t want David to build a temple. God also told Nathan that He planned to build a dynasty for David that would last forever. God did not guarantee that the rule by David’s descendants would be uninterrupted, and it has been, but the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant with David will come in the eternal reign of Jesus, who came into the world in the family line of David.

God was redirecting David. Sometimes God says no to our plans and dreams to use our energy and resources for a greater cause or one more fitted to our abilities, one in line with God’s plans for us. God had given David administrative ability and military genius, and He wanted David to function in those areas. And David had shed much blood. God planned to give Solomon a peaceful reign and allow him to build the temple.

How would you feel and what would you do if you had volunteered to do something great for God and He had said, “Thanks, but no thanks?” God sometimes says “no” to devout people who are considering very worthy endeavors, but He is redirecting them into the stream of His will for their lives.

How did David react? He sat before the Lord and prayed a beautiful prayer of praise, of thanksgiving for what God had promised him, and of acceptance of and submission to God’s will. Then he gathered many of the materials for his son Solomon to build the temple. He didn’t pout about what God didn’t allow him to do but he what he could do. He was willing to lay a foundation on which others could build. No wonder he was called, “a man after God’s own heart.”

Father, may we, too, be submissive and love and praise and thank You in all circumstances. Amen.