Building a House

In 2Sam.7, we find King David living like a king, because he has indeed become the king of a united kingdom. But he feels a pang of conscience because he has built himself a palace while the place for worshipping God was still housed in a tent (v.2). David begins to dream of building a permanent, glorious temple–a house for God.

What was right in David’s motivation? It is not right to treat ourselves like royalty and give God the dregs. Whatever we have given to Him, it is right for us to confess, “Lord, You deserve better than this.” We ought always to aim higher in our exaltation of Him who will always remain infinitely higher than we are.

God makes a reply to David through the mouth of a prophet, essentially refusing David’s plan to build God a house (see v.4-10). On what grounds does God make this refusal? If there is any confusion regarding who provides for whom, let the records reflect this fact: God is the Provider and we are those for whom He provides. In response to David’s declared purpose to build God a house, God says to David, “Nice try–but actually I am going to build you a house!” (see v.11,16). “I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (v.12,13).

We cannot help but think of David’s son, Solomon and the glorious temple which he built. But was that the descendant and was that the house to which God referred? Probably not. Because Solomon’s throne was not established forever. In the course of time, Solomon died and his descendants were characterized by such idolatry that God sent them into exile and the temple Solomon built was burned to the ground. This is not a picture of the glory which God had prophesied to David.

Fast forward four hundred years after the return from exile in Babylon. Mary has been betrothed to Joseph. She turns up pregnant and Joseph knows this is not his child. As he ponders breaking off the engagement, an angel comes to him in a dream and says, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt.1:18-21). Although Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, Jesus would be accounted as the descendant of David anyway (and Mary was also from David’s line). This was the Son who was prophesied, who was destined to sit on David’s throne forever. This is the One who would build God’s house–the place where sacrifice draws all worshippers near to their Creator. “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (Heb.3:6). Amen!