Studies in the Gospel Message
THE subject of the Sabbath school lesson for June 7, the tenth in the present series, is The Promises to David, and the special portion of Scripture studied is 2 Sam. 7:1–17. In the present lesson we have a good example of how the outward circumstances under which instruction is given in the Scripture are in themselves a part of the lesson, and often serve as a key to the correct understanding of the real subject matter of the lesson. In the first place it is David “the king” rather than David as a private individual, and then David “my servant,” who is mentioned. This is emphasized by the fact that the name “David” does not occur at first, but he is referred to simply as “the king.” Then the circumstance is mentioned that “the king sat in his house.” This is not done merely that we may know just where David happened to be at this time, but because it is a part of the real lesson, which deals with the house of him who is both King and Servant. The first thing mentioned is that the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies. This circumstance was in harmony with the work which he thought to do, as he himself afterward said: “I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” 1 Chron. 28:2. Furthermore, because the house of the Lord must be “an house of rest,” it was not David’s privilege to build it, although he made the preparations for it. His purpose was pleasing to the Lord, but that purpose was to be fully carried out only through his son. Solomon said, at the time of the dedication of the house: “It was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 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. Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.” 1 Kings 8:17–19. David himself had informed Solomon, his son, of his purpose, and had told him the reason why he was not permitted to build the house, and of the Lord’s promise to him of a son who should build the house. “And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God: but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars; thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. 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 round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name.” 1 Chron. 22:7–10. The house of the Lord is a house of rest. The King who dwells in the house of the Lord says, “Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest.” And the very name which the Lord gave to David’s son, Solomon, which means peaceable, was in harmony with the whole object lesson. When the greater Son of David was born, of whom it is prophesied, “Even he shall build the temple of the Lord,” the angel choir sang of “peace, good will toward men.” And “he is our peace,” and he has “made peace through the blood of his cross,” and in his parting talk with his disciples he said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” It was therefore indeed fitting that the man who was to build the house of the Lord, which was in itself a prophecy of the incarnation of him who was to make the flesh his tabernacle, should be “a man of rest,” that his name should be Solomon, and that the time of his reign should be a time of peace and quietness. So full of meaning are the very circumstances under which the promises