Reign of David
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a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell
in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children
of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime.”
As David had desired to build a house for God, the promise was
given. “The Lord telleth thee that He will make thee a house.... I will
set up thy seed after thee.... He shall build a house for My name, and I
will stablish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
The reason why David was not to build the temple was declared:
“Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou
shalt not build a house unto My name.... Behold, a son shall be born to
thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his
enemies: ... his name shall be Solomon [peaceable], and I will give
peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build a house for
My name.”
1 Chronicles 22:8-10
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Though the cherished purpose of his heart had been denied, David
received the message with gratitude. “Who am I, O Lord God?” he
exclaimed, “and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?
And this was yet a small thing in Thy sight, O Lord God; but Thou
hast spoken also of Thy servant’s house for a great while to come;”
and he then renewed his covenant with God.
David knew that it would be an honor to his name and would bring
glory to his government to perform the work that he had purposed
in his heart to do, but he was ready to submit his will to the will of
God. The grateful resignation thus manifested is rarely seen, even
among Christians. How often do those who have passed the strength
of manhood cling to the hope of accomplishing some great work upon
which their hearts are set, but which they are unfitted to perform!
God’s providence may speak to them, as did His prophet to David,
declaring that the work which they so much desire is not committed
to them. It is theirs to prepare the way for another to accomplish
it. But instead of gratefully submitting to the divine direction, many
fall back as if slighted and rejected, feeling that if they cannot do the
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one thing which they desire to do, they will do nothing. Many cling
with desperate energy to responsibilities which they are incapable of
bearing, and vainly endeavor to accomplish a work for which they
are insufficient, while that which they might do, lies neglected. And
because of this lack of co-operation on their part the greater work is
hindered or frustrated.