2 Samuel 7 + God Will ‘Build’ A House
What’s happened since last week? We learned of Samuel’s birth last time. He’s the “bridge” between the time of the Judges in Israel and the time of the Kings. Now, David (their 2nd king, @ 1000 BC) has unified the 12 tribes and made Jerusalem his capitol city. “Nathan” shows up as a prophet. David’s reign has its ups and downs, but God’s promises are consistent!

Digging Deeper: 1. King David desires to build a house for God (the worship places have been tents or less permanent buildings. God has not been ‘tied’ to one place!) What might be David’s noble motives? What might be his selfish ones?

2. It’s interesting that Nathan first gives David a green light to build a temple, and then God stops the plans cold! How might this be a reminder that sometimes we ‘get’ what God would approve, and sometimes we might get it wrong? We don’t like ‘flip-floppers’ in our leaders, but then-the first thought isn’t always the best one or the right one! God may need us to see things differently!

3. God’s message to David is like: “Did I ask for a house? No!” Then God reminds David of what God has done for him, to allow him not just to be the king, but to be God’s servant. Now, God makes a huge promise: that someone from David’s ‘household’ will rule forever! David’s son (Solomon) will build a house for God. But God will remember David and his descendants. In reality, the Davidic dynasty lasts 400 years until Israel is conquered by Babylon. They don’t always have “rest from their enemies”. This promise, however, begins to pave the way for the Messiah, the One who will rule justly, and forever!

4. Verse 15 is revealing. It’s not if but “when he (the king) commits iniquity” God will punish him, and God will still keep God’s promise! The scripture recognizes that no earthly king/ruler will be perfect; and God knows that better than anyone. How might this help us to not put any of our leaders on a ‘pedestal’, and yet view them and pray for them as servants of God-by virtue of the office they hold?

5. Yahweh’s “steadfast love” is the theme that undergirds so much of the Old Testament. How have you experienced God’s steadfast love? What does that mean to you? How would you describe it or share it with someone else?