Leslie M. John
David's throne established for ever
Houses made of wooden were considered as posh living Houses in the Old Testament period, more so, if they were made of Cedar wood. King David was living in such a house made of Cedar wood (2 Samuel 5:11).
One day David expressed his concern to Nathan the prophet that while he himself was living in a house made of Cedar wood the Ark of God was within the curtains (2 Samuel 7:2). King David had an intention to build a house for God. The prophet, although he was from God, spoke this time instantaneously without seeking counsel from God and said that the King may do what was in his mind. But God spoke to Nathan the prophet and asked him to go and question David, if he is capable of building a house for God to dwell in!
God spoke to David through Nathan the prophet that all along when the children of Israel journeyed from Egypt to Canaan God did not have any place to dwell in except for a tent and a tabernacle. God questioned if He asked at any time from any of the tribes of Israel any favor to build a Cedar house for himself. God reminded David that He gave all the instructions and commandments from a tent and from tabernacle. God asked David to recollect his own position from where he was made to rise. David was a mere shepherd and yet God made him ruler over the children of Israel and not only God was with him but God made his name to be greater than any king upon this earth. All his enemies were cut out of his sight and his name was made great like that of great men who were on the earth.
God said that he will appoint a place for his people Israel and plant them that they would dwell in a place of their own. God assured that He would not allow wicked people to afflict the children of Israel any more as they did before. After bringing the children of Israel from out of Egypt into Canaan God commanded judges to be over his people Israel and later David was made the King. God caused David to rest from all his enemies. God told David that He will make a house for David and when his days are fulfilled he will sleep with his fathers. God promised to set up David’s seed and establish his kingdom for ever. God indicated that King Solomon will build a house for God’s name and establish his throne of his kingdom for ever. God said that if Solomon committed any iniquity he would chastise him with rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men, but His mercy will not depart from him.
King David humbled himself after hearing God’s word through Nathan the prophet and exalted the name of God by saying:
”Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears” (2 Samuel 7:22)
”And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee” (2 Samuel 7:26)