Dr. Jeanette Parker
Dr. Jeanette Parker (File Photo)

David had been victorious in all his pursuits. He had conquered all his enemies. Jehovah was at the helm of the ship always going before him to make the crooked places straight.

 

David was obedient and listened to Jehovah. As he reminisced on the success of his battles and other pursuits, he sat in his house and was thinking things over, recalling how Jehovah had been so good to him. His mood seems pleasant. His recollections are positive with hope.

 

We know a vicious enemy of David’s was King Saul, who pursued him relentlessly with death threats because of his own jealousy and hatred of David. He feared losing his kingship and, in his hatred, one might be led to believe that he was somewhat insane if not altogether insane, as we read about his decisions.

 

David was free of all his enemies. What a huge blessing! The Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies, as written 2 Samuel 7:1.

 

There were times when David had opportunity to kill Saul. But David did not have a revengeful, hateful heart. Even though he was a warrior, he does not appear to commit war crimes or needlessly kill people.

 

As he sits in his house he is thinking about, “How can I repay Jehovah? He explains to Nathan, the prophet, his thoughts. David says, “I live in a cedar house, but God’s ark is kept in a moving tabernacle that moves from place to place and the ark’s dwelling is made of curtains.”

 

He surmises that “surely God deserves better and I’m going to make a suitable place for His ark. I’m going to build Him a temple.”  Here is where we can make a big mistake of deciding what we are going to do, talking to ourselves without consulting with God. That’s where bad judgment and bad decision making enters in.

 

Now, let’s look at what Nathan says about this. In 2 Sam. 7:3, Nathan gives his consent to David. Saying, “Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with you.”  It’s true the Lord is with David. Nathan is all for it. He believes David should build the temple and that Jehovah’s tabernacle made of curtains should become obsolete.

 

It’s not good enough for God. I suspect David has the idea to build a palatial type of temple. Now the Lord is omniscient and knows everything. God overhears David’s thoughts and what he said to Nathan and what Nathan said. What does God think? Seems like both David and Nathan had forgotten to talk this big idea over with Him. God has an explicit and surprising response.

 

In v. 5, God says, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘thus says the LORD, shall you build me a house for Me to dwell in?” (This time frame is about B.C.1062) David’s mindset and timetable are different from God’s.

 

God is looking at His plans for David and his heritage, his dynasty, which God has planned. God tells Nathan to deliver a message to David and sets forth His already planned promises to him. (2 Samuel 8-17)

 

God plans. He is not sporadic nor is He erratic. He says, “Speak this to David, the Lord of hosts says, ‘I took you from the sheepcotes, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My People, over Israel. I was with you everywhere you went. I have cut off all your enemies out of your sight and made you great with a great name on the earth.” (vv. 8-9)

 

Not only that, He begins to tell David, “I will appoint a place and land (speaking about the Abrahamic covenant) and will provide for your seed also. You will have a son who will build a house for My name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

 

This leads to prediction of the Messiah. When we are in Christ, we listen for His voice. Remember John 10: “My sheep hear my voice. My sheep will not follow the voice of a servant or an impostor. My sheep know my voice. They will not follow a heirling. My sheep follow me because they know my voice. They know I will never leave them nor forsake them. They know that I know their name and their home address and their work address.nI can find them at any moment in time and any time of the day or night.”

 

We must not skip over God. We are advised that God is all knowing, all seeing, everywhere at all times and places. He is the only God and won’t lead us astray. If we are led astray, it is because of our own fault of listening to the false, deceitful voices of unreason. Pray, listen and wait for His answer.

 

Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, LA 90043 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) Inquiring Minds Want to Know” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Errors? Let me know. Join Sundays for music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751} Keep praying and keep hoping. References: (The Holy Bible) 2 Samuel chapter 7 Henry’s Complete Bible Commentary (public domain)