Adam lived in a garden. Noah lived in a boat for a time.  Abraham lived in a tent.  Moses would live in the palace in Egypt.  David would live in a palace in Jerusalem.  In scripture we see that God’s plan continued to move forward even in the face of disobedience.  It sailed during times of quick obedience.   It’s so good to know that even when we fail or disobey, God is still working His plan to perfection.

Our study of covenants in scripture continues with David in Jerusalem.  In the book of 2nd Samuel chapter 7, we see that David had been given rest on every side from the attacks of his enemies.  He had turned his heart and desire to continue to please the Lord Who had called him to serve as king over the people of Israel. He had built his own dwelling place and now he desired to build a place to house the articles from the tabernacle.  He wanted to build a worship center in Jerusalem. 

The prophet Nathan had been a friend and confidant to David for quite some time.  He had been willing to point out David’s failures as well as his successes.  When David told Nathan that he wanted to build a house for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, Nathan heartily agreed and. encouraged David to proceed.   However, …

That very night, the Master Builder came to Nathan and gave him a different set of blueprints.  These blueprints had much more than a lifetime guarantee.  These plans were eternal.  Our lesson today contains the prophecy that the Lord gave to Nathan to present to David.  

David:  you are not the one to build the house for Me.  First of all, I have never asked for a house to be built for Me.   God told Nathan to tell David that He was more interested in building a man who would serve Him with his whole heart.  God “found” David following a flock of sheep. God had been with David in those green pastures.  God had been with David as he charged Goliath with a sling and a stone.  God had helped David defeat enemies left and right.  God would establish the people of Israel in the land He provided for them.  God intended to make the name of David known throughout the kingdom.  God would be the One Who would build the house of David.

This house would be the descendants of David through the Judean kings. God was continuing to bless the tribe of Judah all the way through the ages from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Through the generations of Judah, God would bring forth the Messiah Who would be born in Bethlehem.  The lineage of Jesus can be traced through scripture.  Specifically, you can see it all connected in Matthew 1 and Luke 3.  God keeps His promises.  His promise to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15 was Jesus.  Seth given in placer of Abel who was murdered by his brother Cain continued that line.  God kept 8 people alive on the ark to fulfill that promise. Shem the son of Noah would be the next bright spot in this holy genealogy.  All the way through the kings of Judah to Jesus, God kept His promises. 

In 2 Samuel 7:12-16 we see some promises to David in the present as well as some promises to David which would be fulfilled long after David was in the grave. Verse 12 speaks of David’s direct descendant, Solomon, who would reign after David in Jerusalem.  God tells Nathan to tell David that Solomon would build the temple.  Solomon’s kingdom would be earthly and temporary.  Solomon would commit sinful acts that would lead his heart away from the Lord.  God promised to correct him and be his guide. 

There was coming another king, one who would reign forever.  This king would be from the tribe of Judah.  This king would rule forever.  His kingdom would know no end.  David would go to his grave with the assurance that God was in the spiritual house building business.  About 1000 years after David in the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus would tell his mother Mary that He had to be about His Father’s business. He had to be in His Father’s house.  At the age of twelve, Jesus was already busy building the kingdom of God.  He would accomplish what God promised to David through the words of Nathan the prophet. 

The rest of the scriptures of 2 Samuel 7 are not emphasized in this lesson, but I would say that the lesson is not complete until you read the response of David to these words Nathan would tell him.  Just imagine you are King David.  You have been a terrible father.  You have been an adulterer.  You have arranged the murder of one of your best friends in battle in order to have his wife.  You realize that in spite of all of your failures, you have sought forgiveness from God through confession and found peace in your soul.  Now, God declares that He will build a house through your descendants. 

Beginning with verse 18, find a place to sit quietly by yourself just like David did and read all the way to the end of this chapter of scripture. Experience the humility and deep gratitude that pours from the words of David.  This is one majestic passage of scripture.  Be blessed.  Know that God is keeping His covenant with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David.  He is preparing His people for the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ.  See the picture?