(2 Samuel 7: 1-17, 11:1ff, 12:1ff)

Prophet Nathan's work became more pronounced when King David had settled in his palace. The king came up with a plan to build a temple for the Lord since he was living in a magnificent house and God simply in a tent.

This was shortly after King David had brought back the covenant box to Jerusalem and placed it in a tent. It was also the time that David was about to make mistakes.

God sent Prophet Nathan to King David on two major occasions;

• After the king had come up with a plan of building a temple (2 Samuel 7: 1-17)

• When he committed the double sins of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11-12)

NATHAN'S PROPHESY OF BUILDING THE TEMPLE (2 Samuel 7: 1-17)

God's Promises to King David

When King David developed a plan to build a temple for the Lord, he consulted Prophet Nathan about it and he was given a go ahead with the reason the Lord was always with him.

King David wondered how he could live in magnificent house when the Ark of the Covenant was being kept in a tent. This showed how the king considered himself inferior before the Lord.

However, the Lord appeared to Nathan at night and sent him to King David that he was not the one to build for him a temple.

God justified His stand by reminding King David about the events in the life of Israel, his own life and went on to make promises about his kingdom.

Prophet Nathan revealed to King David that the Lord had always lived in a tent ever since he rescued Israel from their bondage in Egypt.

King David was told that the Lord had never asked of the leaders he had been appointing why they had not built for Him a temple.

Prophet Nathan reminded King David that it was the Lord who took him from being a shepherd and made him to become the ruler of His own people.

The Lord reminded King David that He had always been with him wherever he been and defeated his enemies as he advanced.

The Lord promised to make King David famous. He would be as famous as the greatest leaders in the world.

God revealed to King David he had chosen a place for His own people, Israel and settled them permanently where they would live without being oppressed any more.

Besides, God promised King David that His people, Israel would never again be attacked by violent people.

He also promised to keep the king safe from his enemies meaning that David would have the Lord's protection.

God promised to give King David many descendants. They would continue living in the land He had chosen for them.

In addition, God promised to make one of King David's sons a king and keep his kingdom strong. He would take over from him after his death thereby marking the beginning of dynasty in Israel.

Besides, the Lord declared that it would be King David's son to build for Him a temple. This son would be the one He had chosen as king over His people.

God promised King David that the dynasty of his son would be everlasting. It would be permanent and never come to an end.

The Lord promised King David that He would be a father to his son who was going to take over from him. When on the wrong, the son would be punished like a father punishes his own son.

However, God promised to keep his support for King David's son. He would not withdraw the way he did Saul whom He rejected to make him king.

Other Possible Reasons for the Lord's Objection toward King David's Plan of Building a Temple

• King David appeared to have been taken up by pride of doing something great for God.

• King David's plan appeared to have been influenced by the pagan Canaanites who had the same type of buildings for their gods.

• It was possible that God could have realized that King David was about to make mistakes which could then have made him unfit to be the one who built for him the temple.

• The temple was most likely to equate Yahweh with the Canaanite gods.

• The temple was likely to mislead Israel into thinking that their God could be confined in a building.

Revision Questions

1. Account for God's objection to King David's plan of building a temple

2. Examine the Lord's promises to King David after objecting to his plan of building temple

3. How were the above promises fulfilled in the history of Israel?

• One of King David's sons; Solomon succeeded him as king.

• King David's son, Solomon built and dedicated the temple to God.

• King David remained famous as the most ideal king of Israel.

• God kept Israel away from violent attack for a long period.

• God protected King David from his enemies especially during his old age.

• King Solomon, David's son had such a powerful kingdom that it attracted foreigners.

• God punished King Solomon because of his disobedience towards him.

• However, God kept His support for King Solomon despite his disobedience.

• God blessed King David with many descendants,

• King David's grandson; Rehoboam, son of King Solomon became a king.

• King David lived up to age to see his son take over from him.

• King David's dynasty remained permanent that it saw the coming of a messiah.