Politicians make many promises to get elected that they fail to fulfil once they are in office. They stretch the truth and sometimes even lie to convince voters of their worth.

God is not like politicians. When he makes a promise, He always tells the truth and He always keeps His promise in every detail. In our text this evening, we are going to examine a promise or covenant that God made with David.

Transition

This chapter is divided into three sections: 1) David’s Request, 2) God’s Reply, and 3) David’s Response. As we examine the details, I want to point out several principles that can help us spiritually.

David’s Request (v.1-3)

  1. David reflected on the Lord’s goodness (v.1)
    1. David had built a nice palace for himself.
    2. He sat and reflected on all that God had done for him.
      1. He lived in a beautiful house.
      2. God had given him rest from war with neighbouring countries.
      3. Yet, the ark of God sat in a tent. That did not seem right with David.
        ☆ Like David, we ought to reflect on all that the Lord has done for us often. We sing the song “Count Your Blessings” yet we seldom do. What is your situation now like compared to 1 year ago or 5 years ago or 10 years ago? How has God been good to you?
  2. David desired to build a temple (v.2-3)
    1. David shared his concern with Nathan the prophet. Nathan was his godly spiritual counsellor.
    2. David did not put his desire in words, but Nathan knew what he was thinking. David wanted to build a temple for the Lord. David wanted to please and honour the Lord.
    3. Nathan encouraged him to do all that was in his heart.
      ☆ When we face decisions in life, it is wise to seek counsel from godly people as David did. Remember, a godly person is not just someone who talks about God or knows lots about the Bible. The ungodly Pharisees did that. A godly person is someone who is “God-like” in his character. It is someone who obeys the Bible and walks in close fellowship with the Lord. A disobedient Christian is not a godly Christian. Seek counsel from godly people. (Proverbs 1:5) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: (Proverbs 11:14) Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

God’s Reply (v.4-17)

  1. God had not requested a temple (v.4-7)
    1. God spoke to Nathan that night and gave him a message for David.
    2. For hundreds of years, the ark had been in a tabernacle (tent).
    3. God had never requested a temple to be built.
      ☆ The tabernacle was movable so God’s dwelling place could move as the people moved in the wilderness. He wanted His people to know that He was close to them. Once they entered the Promised Land, the tabernacle stayed mostly in one location.
      ☆ Today God’s tabernacle is the believer’s heart. (1 Corinthians 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. God is close to us all the time. We must keep ourselves holy because God lives in us.
  2. God described His plans for David’s family (8-17)
    1. God reminded David that He had been caring for him (v.8-9). Here again we see an example of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. God had a plan for David’s life, yet David did not always follow God’s plan.
    2. God had a plan for Israel (v.10-11). In time, Israel would rebel and God would punish them, but God wove His plan around man’s sinful choices. He did not make man sin.
    3. God had a plan for David’s son Solomon (v.12-15).
      1. God would establish Solomon’s kingdom (v.12)
      2. Solomon would build a house for the Lord (v.13)
      3. God would chasten Solomon for his sinfulness but He would not leave Solomon (v.14-15).
    4. God had a plan for Israel (v.16-17). Part of that plan has not yet been fulfilled. It will be fulfilled in the future 1000-year Millennium.
      ☆ God said in (Isaiah 55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. It is impossible for us to understand the sovereignty of God fully. On the one hand, we know that God is in control. On the other hand, God allows man to make sinful choices. Only God can know how these two blend together in harmony. Today, we must believe that God has a plan for our lives and we must seek to follow God’s will.

David’s Response (v.18-29)

  1. He spoke humbly to God (v.18-20)
    1. He sat before the Lord. He asked, “Who am I … that you brought me to this place?” He was acknowledging that he was no one special. God took him from the sheep fields to the palace.
    2. God hates pride (Pr 8:13). God honours humility (Jas 4:10). Though David was far from perfect, he was a humble man and that pleased God. One of the reasons that David was a man after God’s own heart is because he was humble. (Proverbs 29:23) A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
  2. He praised God (v.21-24)
    1. He praised God for the good things he had received (v.21-22). He believed that God was GREAT.
    2. He praised God for being Israel’s God (v.24)
  3. He asked God to do as He had said (v.25-29)
    1. He asked God to let his house be established (made firm) (v.25-26).
    2. Because God is God and His words are true, David asked Him to bless his house as he promised (v.28-29).
      ☆ David realized that he was nothing but God was everything. If you tend to have a high opinion of yourself, you need to take a closer look at God. Isaiah said in (Isaiah 40:12) Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Read again God’s words to Job in Job 38 and 39. (Job 38:4) Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. (Job 39:13) Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? (Job 39:27) Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? We have no right to be proud. Life is not about us. Life is about pleasing our Creator.
      ☆ God is looking for people who will lower themselves and lift Him up in praise. If God was a human, that would be a bad attitude to have, but since God is the Creator of all that exists, everything owes its existence to Him. He DOES deserve all the praise. (Psalms 29:2) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Conclusion

This evening we have looked at David’s Request, God’s Reply, and David’s Response. God was pleased with David’s heart. What is in your heart? Is it your heart’s desire to please and honour the Lord?

We have been reminded to count our blessings, to seek godly counsel, to remember that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, to believe that God has a plan for our lives and we must seek to find and follow it, and to humble ourselves before the Lord and praise Him.

Song: Praise Him! Praise Him! 442
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God’s Covenant with David
11 October 2015 PM – 2 Samuel 7:1-29 – Life of David – Scott Childs