That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. 2 Samuel 7:2
The tabernacle built by Moses, with all that appertained to the sanctuary service, except the ark, was still at Gibeah. It was David's purpose to make Jerusalem the religious center of the nation. He had erected a palace for himself, and he felt that it was not fitting for the ark of God to rest within a tent. He determined to build for it a temple of such magnificence as should express Israel's appreciation of the honor granted the nation in the abiding presence of Jehovah their King. Communicating his purpose to the prophet Nathan, he received the encouraging response, "Do all that in is thine heart; for the Lord is with thee."
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, giving him a message for the king. David was to be deprived of the privilege of building a house for God, but he was granted an assurance of the divine favor to him, to his posterity, and to the kingdom of Israel. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 771, 712)
Reflection: Even though David was not to build the temple, he gathered much of the materials. Likewise, we may work very hard for something, but never enjoy the fruits of our labor; they may come after we die. Let us never become discouraged when things don't happen exactly the way we want them to. May we be content with what God has given us to do today.
The tabernacle built by Moses, with all that appertained to the sanctuary service, except the ark, was still at Gibeah. It was David's purpose to make Jerusalem the religious center of the nation. He had erected a palace for himself, and he felt that it was not fitting for the ark of God to rest within a tent. He determined to build for it a temple of such magnificence as should express Israel's appreciation of the honor granted the nation in the abiding presence of Jehovah their King. Communicating his purpose to the prophet Nathan, he received the encouraging response, "Do all that in is thine heart; for the Lord is with thee."
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, giving him a message for the king. David was to be deprived of the privilege of building a house for God, but he was granted an assurance of the divine favor to him, to his posterity, and to the kingdom of Israel. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 771, 712)
Reflection: Even though David was not to build the temple, he gathered much of the materials. Likewise, we may work very hard for something, but never enjoy the fruits of our labor; they may come after we die. Let us never become discouraged when things don't happen exactly the way we want them to. May we be content with what God has given us to do today.
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