LESSON 11.—JUNE 14.—DAVID'S RESPONSE TO THE PROMISES.
NOTE.—This series of lessons is entitled, “Studies on the Gospel Message.” For introduction and excellent suggestions as to their study, we refer the student to the Lesson Quarterly.
17 “According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. 18 “Then David the king went in, and sat before the Lord. And he said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, 19 that Thou hast brought me thus far? And this was yet a small thing in Thine eyes, O Lord God; but Thou hast spoken also of Thy servant's house for a great while to come; and this too after the manner of men, O Lord God! 20 And what can David say more unto Thee? for Thou knowest Thy servant, O Lord God. 21 For Thy word's sake, and according to Thine own heart, hast Thou wrought all this greatness, to make Thy servant know it. 22 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. 23 And what one nation in the earth is like Thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem unto Himself for a people, and to make Him a name, and to do great things for you, and terrible things for Thy land, before Thy people, which Thou redeemest to Thee out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 24 And Thou didst establish to Thyself Thy people Israel to be a people unto Thee forever; and Thou, Lord, becamest their God. 25 And now, O Lord God, the word that Thou hast spoken concerning Thy servant, and concerning his house, confirm Thou it forever, and do as Thou hast spoken. 26 And let Thy name be magnified forever, saying, The Lord of hosts is God over Israel; and the house of Thy servant David shall be established before Thee. 27 For Thou, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, hast revealed to Thy servant, saying, I will build Thee an house: therefore hath Thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto Thee. 28 And now, O Lord God, Thou art God, and Thy words are truth, and Thou hast promised this good thing unto Thy servant. 29 Now therefore let it please Thee to bless the house of Thy servant, that it may continue forever before Thee; for Thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and with Thy blessing let the house of Thy servant be blessed forever.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) After David had heard the vision from Nathan, what did he do? (2) In what questions did he express his unworthiness of the blessings already received from the Lord? (3) How did the continuance of his house up to that time compare with what was promised in the vision? (4) What inquiry did he then make? (5) Why did it seem unnecessary to him to enlarge further upon his personal unworthiness? (6) What was the only foundation for such great promises? (7) In what statement does David exalt the Lord? (8) Is there any other being to whom God can be likened? (9) How was the greatness of God reflected in His people? How was this shown? (10) What had the Lord done for Israel? What had He become to them? (11) In what way did David show his acceptance of the Lord's purpose concerning him and his house? (12) In what statement was the Lord's name to be magnified? What petition did David add? (13) On what ground did he rest this petition? What followed as a consequence of this revelation? (14) How did David express his confidence that what God had said would be performed? (15) For what blessing did he then ask? Why could he expect this? (16) How long did he ask that the blessing might be continued?
NOTES.
NOTE what was uppermost in David's mind as the result of the revelation which the prophet had made to him. By the power of His Word the Lord had united his house with eternity. “David's house” and “forever” would hereafter include the same immeasurable time, as the Lord had spoken them together. When the Lord talked about his house that way, it would surely be so, for in His Word, as the seed, was the thing promised.
DAVID showed the spirit of true humility by acknowledging his own unworthiness, and yet accepting with unquestioning faith the complete fulfilment of all that the Lord had promised, just as Mary did. Luke 1:38. Because God was God, His words would surely come true, and the good thing which He had talked about would become a matter of experience to David. His seed would be “set up.” His house would be “established forever,” his kingdom and his throne would be “established forever.” The eternal, everlasting, endless, continuance of David's house was now assured.
