(1) David intended to build a house for God, but when God replied to Nathan He first mentioned how He was living among them.
7:6 I have not lived in a house from the time I brought the Israelites up from Egypt to the present day. Instead, I was traveling with them and living in a tent.7:7 Wherever I moved among all the Israelites...“Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?” ’
In other words, whether with a house or with a tent, God decided to dwell among His people. Having said that, it did not mean God was not pleased at what David said.
In other words, whether with a house or with a tent, God decided to dwell among His people. Having said that, it did not mean God was not pleased at what David said.
Reflection: From Genesis to Revelation we see the blessing of God, Who intends to dwell among us. He created us, selected Abraham, and then Israel to be His people, Jesus became man to live among us, the Holy Spirit dwells within the believers in NT, Jesus rules a thousand years on earth, and finally, believers enjoy eternity with God. Do we see the heart of God and enjoy the fellowship with God?
(2) God made a permanent covenant with David and his descendants. v.8-15 follows the pattern of suzerain and vassal covenant. It starts with the name of the LORD v.8a, the historical background of their relationship v.8b, the blessings v.9-13 and curse v.14-15.
The covenant was permanent v.13, and 16, because God would discipline the descendants of David and not just remove them when they sin. That marked a difference between David and Saul.
Only within a family, and people we love, we will discipline. Otherwise, when they are not fit for a particular position they are simply removed.
Reflection: On one hand, we thank God that we are part of God's family through Jesus Christ. When we are disciplined, we shall rejoice because God treated us as family. On the other hand, we shall treat brothers and sisters as family. When we see them fail in ministry, we shall think of how to help them, not how to remove them and find someone else.
(3) Permanent
7:16 Your house and your kingdom will stand before me permanently; your dynasty will be permanent.’
How could God possibly promise David that his dynasty will be permanent? There is a prerequisite if Someone promises you something that will last permanently. That person Himself has to be permanent plus he has power to uphold what He said. Therefore, David said
How could God possibly promise David that his dynasty will be permanent? There is a prerequisite if Someone promises you something that will last permanently. That person Himself has to be permanent plus he has power to uphold what He said. Therefore, David said
7:22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God, for there is none like you! There is no God besides you! What we have heard is true!
v.23 b You did great and awesome acts for your land, before your people whom you delivered for yourself from the Egyptian empire and its gods.
Reflection: God is great and therefore He can be trusted for what He promised. He promises those who believe in Jesus to have eternal life. We can trust in Him because we saw what He delivered Israel from the most powerful nation, Egyptian empire. And then we saw that in the NT, He has resurrected Jesus from His death. What could possibly stop Him from fulfilling His promise?
Reflection: God is great and therefore He can be trusted for what He promised. He promises those who believe in Jesus to have eternal life. We can trust in Him because we saw what He delivered Israel from the most powerful nation, Egyptian empire. And then we saw that in the NT, He has resurrected Jesus from His death. What could possibly stop Him from fulfilling His promise?
Audrey
2024
v.1-17
B:
1. God is aware of every word we said and did not say. David did not say to Nathan that he would build a cedar house for God v.7. He only said that he was living in a cedar palace v.2, but he implied that.
2. The presence of God was manifested in the relief from his enemies.
v.1 The king settled into his palace, for the LORD gave him relief from all his enemies on all sides...3 Nathan replied to the king, “You should go and do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.”
The desire to build the house for God was in invitation to have the permanent presence of God in his life. Therefore, God was well pleased and mention His presence and the relief from his enemies as a reply to David's desire to build the house for Him.
9 I was with you wherever you went, and I defeated all your enemies before you. Now I will make you as famous as the great men of the earth...10 they will live there and not be disturbed anymore...11 I will give you relief from all your enemies
Repeated word: the house, but the house David intended to build for the LORD was a tangible house, but the one the LORD will build for him was a dynasty house.
v.1 The king settled into his palace, for the LORD gave him relief from all his enemies on all sides.
2 The king said to Nathan the prophet, “Look! I am living in a palace made from cedar, while the ark of God sits in the middle of a tent.”
5 ‘This is what the LORD has said: Do you really intend to build a house for me to live in?
6 I have not lived in a house
7 Wherever I moved among all the Israelites, I did not say to any of their leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?” ’
11 The LORD declares to you that he himself will build a dynastic house for you.
13 He will build a house for my name, and I will make his dynasty permanent.
16 Your house and your kingdom will stand before me permanently; your dynasty will be permanent.’ ”
The 2nd diff is that the house the LORD will build is permanent v.10, 13, 16. How?
14 I will become his father and he will become my son. When he sins, I will correct him with the rod of men and with wounds inflicted by human beings.
In other words, once you are family you are a permanent member in God's side. Also, when you make a mistake you will not became a non-member, but you will receive correction.
Was getting relief from enemies the only desire of David? If yes, he was just asking for "a pass for permanent ride." Why did God so please with David who wanted to build a house for God that He gave them such a blessing?
(EBC) The contrast between his own house and that of the Lord is stark: The human king (“I,” v.2; emphatic) is “living” (yšb translated “was settled” in v.1) in a sumptuous “palace” (vv.1–2, lit., “house”), while the “ark of God” (v.2, emphatic)—the symbolic throne of the Divine King (see 1 Sam 4:4 and comment)—“remains” (yšb) in a mere tent
R:
1. God knows our thought, being a hypocrite does not work in front of Him.
2. A desire to have permanent relationship with God pleased God. But, more importantly, a desire to glorified God pleased Him. As a king under the rulership of God, David knew that the glory belongs to God and therefore the house of God should be more glorified than his. (6:21-22, David knew whose glory is more important).
Pray that I will desire to grow spiritually when I see He is the One who deserve more glory. In other word, when I see my glory is more important, I will not have the desire to grow.
v.17-29
B:
1. Repeated idea:
David called the blessing to his family and to the future of his family, something unusual 19, special 20 and great 21.
From that thing God had done revealed that God Himself is great.
21...you have done this great thing in order to reveal it to your servant. 22 Therefore you are great,
In other words, the blessings are not just beneficial to us, but also they tell us about God. That the special things He can co-ordinate to make them happen to us reveal to us that He is the One in control of every thing. Just like what God had done to make exodus possible and made a name for Himself v.23-24.
2. When he understood the plan of God, David invited God to do as He said to His family.
Do as you promised, 26 so you may gain lasting fame, as people say, ‘The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is God over Israel!’ The dynasty of your servant David will be established before you
The kingdom would become a showcase of the glory of God. Permanently, they will be established before God or because of God's promise/words.
Summary:
Glorified God through the promise of God fulfilled in us.
Q:
1. What precipitates Nathan's vision? How does it supercede his first inclination?
vision=revelation v.17?? If yes, the message of God came to Nathan in reverse meaning to his first answer to David. v.13.
2/Are you able to publicly retract a statement or opinion if God shows you an error?
Some time.
3/What does God want David to remember?
8 “So now, say this to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had said: I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd to make you leader of my people Israel. 9 I was with you wherever you went, and I defeated all your enemies before you.
What does he promise (cf. v. 11b with David's original proposal)? Find other indications of divine initiative.
Now I will make you as famous as the great men of the earth...The LORD declares to you that he himself will build a dynastic house for you.
David wanted to build a phy house for God, but God will build up David's family permanently.
4/What does David's response reveal about his character? God's character? prayer?
He was humble and felt undeserved v.18-19, God had done special and great thing to Him and therefore, God is great.
His prayer is to make His name great as He deliver His promise to his family. Make His family a showcase of the glory of God. In other words, not David's became famous. He is just a tool in God's hand.
5/List specific things that God has shown you for which you can dare to pray.
Make me and our church a channel for people to be saved and grow in Christ so that God will be glorified.
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