7:102 Samuel 7:10

The promise belongs within God's assurance of favor to David, his descendants, and Israel.PP 711.3–712.3 It declares that He will appoint and establish a secure home for Israel, planting them to dwell in a place of their own where they will move no more and where the children of wickedness will afflict them no more as beforetime.PP 711.3–712.3

The appointed place is Jerusalem, where He planted His people after the ark was carried from Horeb through forty years of pilgrimage to Jerusalem.Ms 23, 1886, par. 1–2 There His presence dwelt in the Shekinah between the cherubim in the curtained tabernacle, shining in perfect beauty, while the greatly favored nation lived in costly houses.Ms 23, 1886, par. 1–2 Dwelling in his palace of cedar and seeing the city's costly dwellings, David felt remorse that he lived magnificently while the ark symbolizing the mighty God was housed so poorly, and he purposed to prepare a more honorable house for the worship of the Maker of heaven and earth.Ms 23, 1886, par. 1–2 He told the prophet Nathan of his purpose and was at first encouraged to build a temple for the Lord to dwell in.Ms 23, 1886, par. 1–2 God in His providence did not grant David's intention, for He had a special work for David and chose his son Solomon to accomplish the great work of building Him a house nearly three thousand years ago.Ms 23, 1886, par. 1–2

The account thus shows that God may refuse even a sincere plan for His cause while still blessing and using the person in another service.MH 473.2–3