Established 2 Samuel 7:8-21 June 16-17, 2018 By Brad Goad

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1 Established 2 Samuel 7:8-21 June 16-17, 2018 By Brad Goad Introduction Most leaders want to leave a legacy of some sort. When you think of George Washington, he was the Father of our Nation, not a bad legacy. When you think of Abraham Lincoln, as our 16th President put an end to slavery, not a bad legacy. Theodore Roosevelt is known for starting and championing our National Park system, not a bad legacy. John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson have Space Centers named after them. There are too many leaders and too many legacies to name, but suffice it to say that leaders want to leave a legacy. Some of the legacies left by leaders are not always intentional but simply happen because they are in the right place at the right time. Sometimes doing what they have been called or elected to do will build a legacy. God s Anointing David was born in the town of Bethlehem as the youngest of eight (8) boys. It would be easy to get lost in the crowd of seven older brothers. David more than likely got the leftovers as younger siblings often get. When we are introduced to David, there was absolutely nothing spectacular about him. The simple fact that he had seven (7) older brothers meant that he was not in line for any great leadership position, but God had other plans. In 1 Samuel 16, the Priest Samuel is led by God to the house of Jesse to anoint the one who would be a future King of Israel. Samuel thought as anyone who understood the Jewish culture would think, that the oldest son would be the chosen one. Not true! Nor was the chosen one the second oldest or third oldest, or fourth, etc. going to be anointed as the king. In fact, the chosen one was not even in the house. He was tending (shepherding) sheep out in the field. If someone were reviewing resumes to fill the position of King, they would not consider the one who was anonymously shepherding sheep out in the field as a high priority. But God sees things from a different perspective. 1 Samuel 16: 7b The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." David Desire to Build a House for God From the humblest of beginnings, David was anointed, King. Though he did not become King until many years later, perhaps as much as 15 years after the initial anointing when he was a teenager. Over the last few weeks, we have seen David take on the position of King of Israel. His first battle in his new role as King was against the Philistines (no big surprise) and he was victorious. Last week we saw David move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, though the journey was not without its challenges and lessons learned. David who had been chosen by God to be King so many years ago was now living it out day by day having both the responsibility and authority that comes with being King of Israel.

2 Today in 2 Samuel 7 we see that David wants to do something very special for God. In fact, it is something that no one else had considered or attempted. 2 Samuel 7: 1 Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you." This chapter marks the climax of several events. Jerusalem had been conquered, the Philistines had been defeated and the Ark of God had been enshrined in a tent. David had come to the realization that he lived in a nicer place than the Ark of God, which represented the presence of God. David wanted to do something special for God, something significant concerning the Ark of God (the Ark of the Covenant). There is nothing wrong with wanting to do something special for God and David's heart was in the right place. For the first time since being King, things had settled down a bit, so he had time to put into action what perhaps he had been thinking about for a long time. In fact, Nathan, the prophet, encouraged him to continue pursuing that which was in his mind and heart knowing that the LORD was with David. In one sense building a house for God could be seen as a legacy, like a building throughout history that would be recognized as a tribute or in honor of someone. This would be done in respect and honor of God. David wanted to use his time, resources and energy to do something special and significant for God. 2 Samuel 7:4 But in the same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,5 "Go and say to My servant David, Thus says the Lord, "Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.7 Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"' David's heart was in the right place, but building a house for God was not necessary for David. God had not asked David to build any permanent dwelling. The Ark of the Covenant had always been in a tent, which was portable. God had never been nor ever will be confined to one location or structure. The tent was symbolic of the presence of God, but it did not limit the presence of God. Of course, that was not the intention of David, to limit God, but to build a structure of permanence to house the Ark of the Covenant. God s Plan to Build a House for David God did not shame David or embarrass David, but simply reminded him that He had never asked for a house to be built. We are about to find out that God had bigger plans than David could imagine. The house that God would build for David would not be confined to a building but a house that would be a true legacy, a dynasty. How many times do we have some idea or concept in our head that is a good idea? In fact, it would be helpful to so many others and seems like it would be pleasing to God if we did "such and such". But we have to realize what David had to understand that God sees a bigger picture. God sees things from an eternal perspective. Our ideas may be good ideas, but the timing isn't right, or the outcome would be different than what we imagine, and God is protecting us from our good intentions.

3 Look at how much bigger the house God describes is compared to the house David wanted to build for God. 2 Samuel 7: 8 "Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, Thus says the Lord of hosts, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. God gently reminds David how he sees the more significant picture step by step. David was literally in a pasture tending and shepherding sheep. The position of a shepherd was important but it was neither glamorous nor prestigious. David was the youngest of eight (8) boys which meant that there was nothing that would make sense in the custom of the day that would bring David any prestige or responsibility. Any prestige or responsibility would typically go to his eldest brother or perhaps the second born, but rarely would you go to the youngest boy. But God is God and is not limited to customs or cultures or narrowness of thinking. God is bigger than we can dream or imagine. God reminded David of the journey from the pasture of a shepherd to the palace of the King. God reminded David of his faithfulness. God and David had a history. All of us who are Christ Followers have "history" with God. Each one of us could look back over our lives and see where we once were, figuratively out in the pasture tending sheep; and God saw more in us than what others saw in us, including ourselves. God was with David when he faced Goliath. God was with David when he faced Saul and was on the run for 10 or more years. God was with David when he took the crown of King and won in battles. God was with David when he moved the Ark of the Covenant. God and David had history, just as God has history with you and me; sometimes we just need to be reminded of his faithfulness. Even Jeremiah had to remember his history with God, which he shows us when he wrote: Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 The Lord s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. God's faithfulness is great, his compassion never fails and are new every morning. David was about to find out how faithful God truly was in his life now and in the future. Let's continue in 2 Samuel 7 with what God is saying to David. 2 Samuel 7:10 I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. God is going to bless his people with a "place", a home, but beyond that look at what God is going to do for David. The last part of vs. 11, " The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you." We started this chapter with David wanting to build God a house. And now God wants to make a house for David.

4 We lose some of the humor and fun in English that is in the original Hebrew language. In Hebrew, they use the same word for "house" which means a place to live with your family, a shelter as they do for a "dynasty or legacy". On the one hand, you had a King building a house of cedar for God; good intentions and well-meaning heart. On the other hand, you have the Creator of the Universe who wants to build a house that is not limited to time or geography. Which one has the bigger vision? From the time that God saw David in the pasture tending sheep as the youngest of eight (8) boys, God saw beyond the pasture. God saw a dynasty, a lineage, a bloodline that would change history for all time. 2 Samuel 7: 12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever." 17 In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. Although God was building a "house" for David; that did not mean that David had no limitations. David was human, and he would eventually pass away. God is revealing a bigger, longer lasting picture to David. Look at all God knows. God knows that David's son, Solomon will build a Temple, a permanent structure. (Verses 12-13) God knows the throne of the kingdom goes on forever, giving David and us a glimpse of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. (Verses 13 b) God knows that Solomon is going to mess us and need to be corrected (vs. 14) God knows he will remain faithful to this bloodline (verses 15) God knows the "house" of David will not be built with brick and mortar but would be a house of the heart; a kingdom that has no end or limitations. (Verses 16) God indeed sees a bigger picture than we can ever dream or imagine. God took the 8th born boy of Jesse in a little town called Bethlehem, who was tending sheep in the pasture and made him King/ This bloodline would lead all the way to another baby boy born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph would not merely be King, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; Jesus Christ. These verses are referred to as the Davidic Covenant, not unlike the Covenant God made with Abraham or Moses. We, as Christ Followers, are a direct result of this Davidic Covenant. There is no doubt that when David heard these words from God given through His prophet Nathan, that he was overwhelmed; even humbled.

5 David s Prayer of Thanksgiving David does precisely what he should, he thanks God and offers words to His Lord. 2 Samuel 7:18 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, that You have brought me this far? 19 And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have also spoken of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the custom of man, O Lord God. 20 Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord God! 21 For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know. 22 For this reason, You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. I love the intimacy of this prayer of thanksgiving. David is pouring out his heart of thanks to God. David realized he didn't deserve or earn this kindness. David realized he was not perfect and in the weeks to come we will see his imperfections come to light in a very public way. David realized that he was blessed in ways beyond his imagination. David realized what we sometimes forget. Look at the end of Verse 20 You know Your servant, O Lord God!" God knows us! God knows where we came from since he weaved us together in our mother's womb. God knows our strengths and weaknesses better than we do ourselves. God knows our motives and intentions when we try to pretend otherwise. God knows what is best for us at the right time, in the right place. God always sees the bigger picture to establish His purpose in our lives. Paul understood that when he wrote: Philippians 1: 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For David, it began as a young teenage shepherd in the pasture tending sheep, and it didn't end with him being King of Israel. God was perfecting His purpose in and through David all the way back to a manger in Bethlehem. The angels say it like this in Luke 2: 11 "for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." God who began a good work in you has not finished. Let God build you a house a dynasty, a legacy of faith. And let David's prayer be our prayer: 2 Samuel 7: 22 For this reason You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

(2 Samuel 7:1) After the king [King David] was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him,

(2 Samuel 7:1) After the king [King David] was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 Samuel 7:1-17 New International Version October 22, 2017 The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Sunday School Lessons Series) for Sunday, October 22, 2017, is from 2 Samuel 7:1-17 [Some will only study