SERIES K --- ISRAEL’S GOLDEN AGE --- LESSON 05

PLANS FOR A TEMPLE

KING DAVID PLANS TO BUILD A TEMPLE

From 2 Samuel 7:1-29; 1 Chronicles 17

All the fighting between Israel and its neighbours ceased and peace finally came to the land of Israel. David was a prosperous king, living in Jerusalem in a cedar-lined palace. When he had enjoyed his beautiful cedar palace for some time, King David summoned the prophet Nathan to share what was in his heart. ‘I don’t feel right about this,’ he said. ‘Here I am, living in this beautiful cedar-panelled palace while the Ark of YHVH is housed in a tent.’ ‘Then why don’t you go ahead and plan something better for the Ark?’ Nathan answered. ‘I’m sure Adonai would be pleased.’ That night Adonai spoke to Nathan. ‘Tell My servant David not to build a temple for My home,’ Adonai said. ‘I have lived in a tent since I brought My people from Egypt. Never have I asked any of My people to build Me a cedar temple. Never have I complained about living in a tent house.’ Adonai also told Nathan, ‘tell this to David: when you were a humble shepherd, I chose you to leave the sheep in the pasture land and lead My people Israel, I have removed your enemies and have made you great, with a reputation among the greatest men on earth. I have chosen a land where My people will live in peace, without attack from the ungodly neighbours who bothered you in the past. ‘When you die David, I will let one of your sons rule over My people. He will rule in My Name and I will set up his kingdom forever. I will be like a father to him and he will be like a son to Me. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod, just as the descendants of Adam must be punished. Nevertheless, I will be merciful to him and will not cut Myself from him as I did from Saul. Thus David, your kingdom will remain forever.’ When Adonai had finished speaking, Nathan took this message to the king. Then David went into the tabernacle and prayed. ‘O Adonai,’ he said, ‘my family and I are so unimportant, yet You have done so many wonderful things for us! Now You tell me that my family will remain forever. How much more You have given than men could ever give! O Adonai YHVH, what can I say? How can I answer You when You know all about me? I know that You are giving so much because of Your promises and because of Your generous heart. You are so great, Adonai! There is no one like You and there is no other god in all the world, as we have heard. ‘Your people Israel is also a special people among all the nations of the earth and You have honoured Your Name by rescuing Your people. You worked great miracles to bring Your people forth from Egypt and from its gods. You have established Israel to be Your people forever and You have confirmed that You will be their YHVH. ‘Now Adonai, seal Your promise to me forever and do as You have said You would do; and so, Your Name will be forever great. O Adonai YHVH of Israel, You have told me that I will be the first of a line of kings to rule Israel forever, so I come to You with great courage to pray as I have. Surely, O Adonai YHVH, You are YHVH and Your Words are true. You have promised something very good to me, Your servant; so now may it please You to do as You have promised and continue my family as kings forever. You have spoken Adonai and because of Your promise, my family will be blessed forever.’

COMMENTARY

THE PRAYERS OF KINGS

David lived in a palace, while the Ark of YHVH rested in a tent. David desired to build a magnificent temple for Adonai. YHVH’s message to David came through the prophet Nathan. David was not to build a temple. But YHVH promised that He would build David’s kingdom, through all generations. Humbled, David prayed a beautiful prayer of thanks. Israel’s kings were devout men, even though they were not always true to Adonai. The fact that they prayed is mentioned often in the Bible, and many of the prayers are recorded. David made a brief prayer of thanks when his enemy Nabal died. He also prayed when his and Bathsheba’s illegitimate child was near death, though the content of that prayer may not be given. David sought YHVH about the reason for the three-year famine and the answer to the prayer is recorded. King David’s longer prayers are recorded in several places: -- 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 22; 24:10-1 7; and -- 1 Chronicles 29:10-19. Several psalms; called [prayers of David] ; are also given. Two prayers of King Solomon are recorded, the first for wisdom, the second at the dedication of the temple. Psalm 72 is also one of Solomon’s prayers. Asa, king of Judah, prayed for YHVH’s help against the Ethiopian army, which was much larger than his own. Later, King Jehoshaphat of Judah prayed in another similar situation when he was threatened by Amon, Moab and Edom. During the time of the prophet Isaiah, Hezekiah prayed for deliverance when King Sennacherib of Assyria surrounded Jerusalem and later when he was critically ill, both times Hezekiah received the reply through Isaiah and both times his prayer was answered. Even Manasseh, a most unlikely candidate, prayed when the Babylonians took him captive. Since kings were such honoured and important persons, it is understandable that their prayers are mentioned often and the contents frequently recorded. The prayers and their answers more than once helped determine important events in the history of the Israelites.