03/15/2020
Today's Sunday School Lesson
Lordschflrayunderstanding.org The Lord’s Church Baptist Denomination 20905 Third Avenue Ettrick, Virginia 23806,
Pastor: Howard L. Moses, Sr. (804) 520-5133 March 15, 2020
Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-16, Title: A Son of David
Introduction:
The Bible refers to many covenants. Some of them are purely human agreements, but others are between God and men. For instance, the covenant God made with Noah was a divine commitment to all mankind that He would never again destroy earth’s inhabitants with a flood. God’s covenant with Abraham promise to multiply his descendants and give them the Land of Canaan for their own. The covenant of the law, or the Mosaic Covenant given to Israel at Mount Sinai , prescribed a way of life for that nation and promised blessings in return for obedience. This covenant was renewed just before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. This week’s lesson introduces us to still another covenant, one consisting of God’s prophecy to David concerning his royal line. Although the covenant was made with only one person, its provisions have impacted the entire history of Israel and the church, and it will affect the prophetic future as well.
Scripture Lesson: 2 Samuel 7:1-16 Vs 1. And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
David was at rest from warfare. He “sat in his house” quiet and undisturbed, having no occasion to take to the battlefield. “The Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies.” The term “rest” here refers to peace from warfare. At this time, David enjoyed calmness and peace with his enemies. The king was at peace when he was sitting in his house undoubtedly meditating on the law of God. 1 Chronicles 17:1. Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.
Vs 2. 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.
As a prophet, “Nathan’s” primary role was to give spiritual advice to the king just as Samuel did to King Saul, although Saul didn’t always heed Samuel’s instructions. In essence, David was asking for Nathan’s approval to build God a more durable and better “house” for the “ark of God.”
Acts 7:44. Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46. Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 47. But Solomon built him an house. 48. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Vs 3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
“Nathan” was not giving David a “thus saith the LORD” message which officially indicates that what is about to be said are God’s very own words (see Exodus 4:22; 5:1; I Samuel 2:27-28). Instead, he was giving the king his own judgment as a wise man and not as a prophet. Not every word that a prophet spoke was divinely inspired. God only spoke through His prophets at certain times (see Hebrews 1:1). Instead of relying completely on what a person teaches, we ought to imitate the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (see Acts 17:11).
1 Kings 8:16. Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. 17. And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 18. And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.
Vs 4. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
At any rate, it was very clear to “Nathan” that this revelation was “the word of the Lord” and would include His unconditional covenant with David. We can be sure that God does speak through His written Word which is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we should always consult the Bible when making important decisions. It’s true that Scripture doesn’t always tell us what to do in each and every situation or circumstance, but there are principles in God’s Word that can guide us in all our decisions, whether great or small.
1 Chronicles 17:3. And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4.Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in: 13. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: 14. But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore. 15. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Vs 5. Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
David, like us, needed to be reminded that our all powerful God doesn’t need any human king to accomplish His will and desires. The Bible reveals that God often chooses the most unlikely people to perform His desires. He does this because it brings Him greater glory.
1 Kings 5:3. Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
Jeremiah 9:23. Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
2 Corinthians 10:14. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15. Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16. To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Vs 6. Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
The phrase “since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day” is a reference to the almost 435 years between the Exodus and David’s reign. During that time, God said He “walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.” The word “walked” carries the idea of moving about as the Israelites did. It was also a reminder that He was with Israel during her wanderings. God’s desire to walk in fellowship with man is revealed throughout the Bible. This desire is seen in the incarnation of the Son and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
1 Kings 8:16. Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. 2 Corinthians 6:19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Vs 7. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
God was saying “in all the places that I went with Israel in the wilderness wanderings while dwelling in a tent (the tabernacle), I have never once complained to, or commanded Israel’s leaders, the shepherds of my people and asked them, why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar temple?” The point is, why should David design what God never ordained? The proper thing to do would be to wait for God’s calling and then perform it.
Deuteronomy 23:14. For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.
Acts 20:28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Philippians 2:13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Vs 8. Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
“David” was promoted from following the sheep “to be ruler over my (God’s) people, over Israel.” Notice God’s powerful contrast stressing David’s transition from the lowly position of shepherd to a position of great prominence as “ruler over my people, over Israel.” To show the importance of this new position God emphasized it by calling Israel “my people.” King “David” was now privileged to shepherd God’s flock.
Psalm 78:70. He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71. From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Vs 9. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
God protected and preserved David while disposing of his enemies. God said that I “have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.” David’s reputation had already grown enormously (see II Samuel 5:11-12), and would continue so that his “name” would live on as one of the giants of human history. After almost three thousand years the name David still appears prominently in Israel’s cultural and patriotic emblems. Just as God prophesied, the name David has its place among the names “of the great men that are in the earth.”
Divine Presence. Isaiah 43:2. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Psalm 89:23. And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
Vs 10. Moreover I will appoint 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,
So, the promise here that God’s people will be planted in their own place and will be free from affliction, no doubt refers to a time still in the future. At that time, the Jews will be regathered to their land from all over the world, they will accept Christ as their Messiah, and they will finally be able to live in peace. The final fulfillment of this verse is yet to come.
Divine Protection. Psalm 125:2. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
Romans 11:25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Vs 11. And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
In essence, God was saying that the time will come when Israel will no longer be bothered or harmed by other nations like they had been since its beginning right up to the present time when they were enjoying peace or “rest from all thine enemies.” Nathan went on to say “Also the Lord telleth thee that he will make thee an house.” In other words, in addition to Israel someday being free from its enemies, the Lord also declared to David that He will make “an house” (royal dynasty) for him. We know now that the Person who is the fulfillment of this prophecy of a continuous Davidic royal dynasty is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 3:5. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6. But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Vs. 12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
It seems David loved Nathan the prophet as long as he lived. Of all David’s sons Solomon was chosen to succeed him as king, certainly not for any personal merits Solomon may have achieved (his wisdom was God’s gift), but because of the Lord’s grace.
Deuteronomy 31:16. And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a wh***ng after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
Acts 13:36. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
Vs 13. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
Therefore, the expression “stablish the throne of his (Solomon’s) kingdom for ever” means that the Davidic authority and kingdom rule over ALL AND ALL is God Son Jesus! We all know that “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to (the) my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began”. Rom. 16:25
Established. 1 Kings 5:5. And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
Rom.16:25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Hebrews 13:9. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Vs 14. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
The LORD declared that He would have a father-son relationship with David’s heir, Solomon/Jesus. As a result of this father-son relationship, the new king could always call on God for help, but he was never to think that his position was so grand that Yahweh (Jehovah) would not bring judgment against him.
Sons of God. Hebrews 1:5. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
2 Corinthians 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Vs 15. But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
Under the law, David deserved to die for his many sins, among which were adultery and murder; yet God extended “mercy” to him.
Leviticus 20:10. And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Psalms 51:1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Vs 16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (Luke 1:32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.) solved this dilemma in a unique way. Through Mary, Jesus was a physical descendant of David (Revelation 22:16) through Nathan another son of David (Luke 3:23. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 31. Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,). Also, through His legal guardian Joseph, Jesus received the authority to rule. Descendant of Solomon (King). (Matthew 1:6. And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 16. And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ).
Eternal Kingdom. Isaiah 9:7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Conclusion:
David had good intentions and a noble ambition. He wanted to build God a house. However, God revealed that He didn’t need a house from David. Instead, He intended to establish the house of David through his yet to be born son, Solomon. The covenant He made with David would not be nullified. It was a covenant with eternal ramifications. A portion of this covenant is yet to be fulfilled. Humans make promises they cannot or will not keep. It inspires worship when we realize that our God is totally capable of keeping every promise He ever made. The promises made to David will be fulfilled in their totality.
