Can you imagine being David? You have spent your life trusting God and looking to Him for help and direction and your life has not been easy! And now you are king over a reunited Israel, a nation called out of slavery to be a light showing God and His love and provision to the world so they, too, can know God who you love and trust. And what does David do in this chapter – 2 Samuel 7?

The ark is returned to the tent and David lives in a palace. We meet Nathan the prophet in this chapter. In the summary below it said that God made certain that a prophet was living during the reign of each of the kings of Israel. David tells Nathan he wants to build a house for God and Nathan tells him the Lord is with him, whatever you have in mind go and do, v. 1-3.

But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, v. 4. “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”‘ v. 5-7.

David had a heart to build a house for God of cedar. God had a plan to build the House of David forever. “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” v. 16. He tells David that his son, his own flesh and blood, will build a house for God’s Name, v. 13.

And what does David do? Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant – and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!” v. 18-19.

Can you imagine? David was a man after God’s own heart because he loved and trusted God. He knew who his Sovereign Lord was and it was to Him that he listened and trusted to guide him. David understood who he was…a mere human! For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3-4.

And today? What about us? Does God care for us…mere humans? We can read about the close, personal relationship David had with God, the Sovereign Lord, and know God was with David helping him. David counted on that! In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:1-3.

While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”‘ David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” Mark 12:35-37 (Psalm 110:1).

David knew who his Sovereign Lord was because he was in a close relationship with Him. He, our Sovereign Lord, descended from David through Mary in His incarnation, and taught centuries later in the temple David wanted to build. Sovereign Lord, lead us along the path David walked with You. Your path illuminates Your great love for us and Your ever present help. David knew You. Help us know You! David followed you, Lord. Help us follow You forever.