II Samuel 7
Dear RTB’ers,
King David is living in his cedar house and he looks over and sees the Ark of God residing in a tent. So he resolves to build a “house” for a dwelling place for the Ark. A nice thought. He even has his prophet’s approval. However, God is not interested in a house for Himself. His “house” is all of creation, and more! He “resides” wherever He will! God is interested in His people and in David, their shepherd. So, we have this play on the word “house”. For David, it’s a building, a dwelling place for the Ark; for the Lord, the “house” is David’s familial lineage, his enduring line of succession – all the way down to Jesus, born some thousand years later.
When Nathan spoke God’s words to David, his reply acknowledged God’s plan: And Your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of Your servant David will be established before You. (v. 26) I like David’s dual perspective, that God is overseeing both Israel and his own “house”, his lineage. He shows full confidence in God’s ability to act accordingly: And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. (v. 28)
Would that we could see with David’s eyes, that God is true and the He has promised His good things to us – whatever they are!
Blessings!
See also: April 3 (2023) / II Samuel 5-7.