David had a brief respite from war while he settled into his palace and brought the ark to Jerusalem. He had time to think about his next project. He summoned his advisor Nathan and mentioned that he wanted to build a permanent home for the ark.

“He said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.’” 2 Samuel 7:2

A solid home for the ark seemed like a good idea, and Nathan was pretty sure God was with David on this. God had let David build a tent for the ark, why not a real building?

“Nathan replied to the king, ‘Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.’” 2 Samuel 7:3

We don’t know why God didn’t order David to bring the tabernacle to Jerusalem and reunite it with the ark. But apparently God had the same idea as David. He wanted to build a temple for the ark, but there were conditions on the plan.

God Replies to David

That night God spoke to Nathan.

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is the what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?’” 2 Samuel 7:5

First of all, God hadn’t asked for a house. He designed the tabernacle for himself and it worked well, traveling with Israel as God led them.

“Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’” 2 Samuel 7:7

Besides that, the house God had in mind to build next was not for himself, but for David. It was not going to be made of cedar and stone, it would be the House of David, his kingly line.

“Now I will make your name great, like the names of he greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed . . . When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom . . . Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:9-10,12,16

House of David, House of God

The kings who came after David would be members of his household, but they would also belong to God. God knew it wasn’t always going to go smoothly with them, but he promised never to disown them.

“I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed before you.” 2 Samuel 7:14-15

God had never made these promises to a king before, and only God could create a royal lineage that would last forever. He had in mind the descendant of David who already existed, would be born into the House of David on earth and return to reign forever in heaven. God had his son Jesus in mind.

“But about the Son [God] says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with joy.’” Hebrews 1:8-9

God’s Goodness Overwhelms David

When David heard what Nathan said, he just wanted to be alone with God. He went into a room and sat down before the Lord, humbled and overwhelmed.

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.” 1 Chronicles 17:16-17

David knew very well that only God could make eternal promises.

“There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears . . . You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.” 1 Chronicles 17:20, 22

Despite the overwhelming nature of these promises from God, David knew they were true.

“Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that I may continue forever in your sight; for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.” 1 Chronicles 17:27

David Secures Israel’s Borders

The war with the Philistines went on and on for David, but over the course of time he subdued them. Then trouble broke out with the Moabites.

David had a number of ties with Moab. The Moabites were distant cousins of the Israelites through Abraham’s nephew Lot. David’s great-grandmother Ruth was from Moab. When he was on the run from King Saul, David took his mother and father to Moab and entrusted them to the King.

But something went very wrong between the Moabites and King David and he attacked and defeated them. Then he systematically reduced their population by killing two out of every three of the Moabites.

The Bible doesn’t say what caused David to punish Moab so severely, but it may be that the Moabites killed his parents. David’s mother and father were never mentioned again after David delivered them to the King of Moab.

David continued his military campaigns at all of Israel’s borders. He conquered Damascus in the north and built defense garrisons. He pushed back Edom in the south and controlled the Valley of Salt.

“The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.” 2 Samuel 8:14

Psalm 60

We just read that the Lord gave David victory wherever he went, but David also tasted defeat. It wasn’t possible to be in so many battles without experiencing some defeats and losses. David knew that without the Lord’s help he couldn’t win at all.

Psalm 60:1-3 may describe Israel’s experience of being invaded by enemies and discovering that their defenses were inadequate. Such attacks prompted David to go to war, build garrisons and reinforce Israel’s borders.

“You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry – now restore us! You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.” Psalm 60:1-3

Despite David and Joab’s great military prowess, David depended upon God for victory because the nations belonged to the Lord.

“God has spoken from his sanctuary: ‘In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.’” Psalm 60:6-8

King David knew that God had plans for Israel, as well as all of the surrounding nations. While the Lord established Israel he also dealt with the other peoples according to their sins. God was perfectly just in all he did.

We don’t like to think of God punishing people, even causing them to die, but the Bible is clear that it happened sometimes. Death was the consequence of sin. It was not God’s first choice for people, but he used it to control the sins that harmed his creation.