Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
When the message was given, David lived in a palace of cedar in Jerusalem while Israel dwelt in costly houses, yet God was still worshiped in the curtained tabernacle. There remained the ark made in the wilderness and carried from Horeb through the forty years, and there the Shekinah, the visible emblem of His presence, dwelt between the cherubim. Seeing his own magnificent dwelling and the costly dwellings of the people, David was impressed and filled with remorse that the ark, which symbolized the mighty God, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, was so much more poorly provided for.
He made known to Nathan the prophet his purpose to build a temple for the Lord to dwell in, and Nathan at first encouraged him to carry it out. The verse is God's answer sent through Nathan, telling His servant David that he himself was not to build a house for the Lord to dwell in. Although David wanted to provide a temple for the ark and sanctuary, the privilege was denied him.
By divine appointment and providence, David's son Solomon was selected to accomplish the great work and would build the house for God in Jerusalem instead of David. God withheld the building from David because His plans were better and He had a special work and another service for David to perform. The refusal of David's sincere intention did not mean he was rejected, for God blesses and uses those devoted to His glory.
When the message was given, David lived in a palace of cedar in Jerusalem while Israel dwelt in costly houses, yet God was still worshiped in the curtained tabernacle. There remained the ark made in the wilderness and carried from Horeb through the forty years, and there the Shekinah, the visible emblem of His presence, dwelt between the cherubim. Seeing his own magnificent dwelling and the costly dwellings of the people, David was impressed and filled with remorse that the ark, which symbolized the mighty God, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, was so much more poorly provided for.
He made known to Nathan the prophet his purpose to build a temple for the Lord to dwell in, and Nathan at first encouraged him to carry it out. The verse is God's answer sent through Nathan, telling His servant David that he himself was not to build a house for the Lord to dwell in. Although David wanted to provide a temple for the ark and sanctuary, the privilege was denied him.
By divine appointment and providence, David's son Solomon was selected to accomplish the great work and would build the house for God in Jerusalem instead of David. God withheld the building from David because His plans were better and He had a special work and another service for David to perform. The refusal of David's sincere intention did not mean he was rejected, for God blesses and uses those devoted to His glory.