Check out all the previous David readings here.
David Reading | Week 5 | Day 1
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.
Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Read these verses three times slowly.
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 house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”
But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’
“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.
“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”
Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.
Reflection & Questions
We begin our readings this week with David in a new season of his kingship. He has defeated all his enemies, and we are told, “the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him.” These are wonderful times in life. There are seasons of battle and putting out fires. Then there are days or seasons of rest, where we can catch our breath and enjoy what the Lord has done for us.
It is in this time of rest, that David realizes it is no good for him to live in a palace, when the Lord just has a tent (the tabernacle). David consults with the prophet Nathan about building a temple of the Lord. Nathan doesn’t see a problem. However, that night, the Lord speaks to Nathan and says otherwise. Nathan is to give different instructions to David. This is a great example of being sensitive to the Spirit. There are times when He lays on our heart a different direction than we have decided. Sometimes after a decision has been made. We should remain open to His direction whenever it comes.
God’s instructions for David are that his son (Solomon) will build the temple. But in the ever-generous heart of God, in David’s desire to build God a house, God turns the table and says He actually will build David a house. Nathan says, “the Lord himself will establish a house for you.” How awesome is our God – we can’t out-give Him or out-do Him! This isn’t a literal house, but what we would call a dynasty. As Nathan tells David, “The Lord declares to you that Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” In other words, there will never be a time when one of David’s ancestors will not be on the throne. That is quite a promise! This is called the Davidic Covenant. It is a promise that doesn’t depend on David at all. God says that there will always be a throne of David, forever. Hence, fast forward, why Jesus had to be in the line of David (for example, Romans 1:3). Jesus is the King who will reign forever on the throne that began with David.
- What season are you in? Battle or rest? If battle, how can you continue to draw strength from the Lord? If rest, how can you keep God your focus and purpose?
- How has God been generous to you? Thank Him for that today.
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
