5 Aug. David considers building a temple to house the Ark
“King David was living in his palace, and the LORD had given him peace from all his enemies around him. Then David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Look. I am living in a palace made of cedar wood, but the Ark of God is in a tent!’”
“Nathan said to the king, ‘Go and do what you really want to do, because the LORD is with you.’ But that night the LORD spoke his word to Nathan, ‘Go and tell my servant David, “This is what the LORD says: will you build a house for me to live in? From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until now I have not lived in a house.”’”
“’ I have been moving around all this time with a tent as my home. As I have moved with the Israelites, I have never said to the tribes, whom I commanded to take care of my people Israel, “Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?”’”
“’You must tell my servant David, “This is what the LORD All-powerful says: I took you from the pasture and from tending the sheep and made you leader over my people Israel. I have been with you everywhere you have gone and have defeated your enemies for you. I will make you as famous as any of the great people on the earth.”’”
“’”Also I will choose a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them so they can live in their own homes… Wicked people will no longer bother them as they have in the past when I chose judges for my people Israel. But I will give you peace from all your enemies. I also tell you that I will make your descendants kings of Israel after you.”’”
“’”When you die and join your ancestors, I will make one of your sons the next king, and I will set up his kingdom. He will build a house for me, and I will let his kingdom rule always. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he sins, I will use other people to punish him. They will be my whips.”’”
“’” I took away my love from Saul, whom I removed before you, but I will never stop loving your son. But your family and your kingdom will continue always before me. Your throne will last for ever.”’ Nathan told David everything God had said in this vision.”
(2 Samuel 7:1-17)
After David brought the Ark of the Covenant from Kireath Jearim to Jerusalem, he considered whether he should build a mighty temple, panelled with cedar wood, to match the splendid palace he was now living in.
David asked for advice from the prophet, Nathan, who was given a dream that night by God. In this vision, the LORD told David that he had lived in the ‘tent of the LORD’s presence’ ever since he brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (see Exodus 26:1-37). He had never asked the Israelites to build him a “house of cedar” (2 Samuel 7:7).
In this prophesy, the LORD promised to bless David and make him famous. God also promised to make one of David’s sons the next King of Israel, and to maintain the kingdom in David’s family line “for ever” (2 Samuel 7:16).
Indeed, the LORD promised that it would be David’s son who would build a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant: “He will build a house for me, and I will let his kingdom rule always” (2 Samuel 7:13)
After hearing these words of comfort and encouragement from God, David went on to praise and thank God for his goodness: “Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true. And you have promised these good things to me, your servant. Please, bless my family. Let it continue before you always. Lord GOD, you have said so. With your blessing let my family always be blessed.” (2 Samuel 7:28-29)
The photo (by Ricardo Tulio Gandelman) shows remains of the City of David on Ophel Hill in Jerusalem.
You can read more about the City of David @ https://www.thebiblejourney.org/biblejourney2/30-israel-becomes-a-kingdom-under-saul-and-david/david-captures-jerusalem/