Vs. 1-3. It seems that this chapter is not in chronological order because it refers to the time after God had subdued all of God's enemies and Chapter 8 talks of more wars. But it really doesn't matter, the truth is still here. Although 1 Chron. has it in this order also. Maybe this was just a rest between battles.
David was at rest in his house. While he is resting he is thinking of the things of the Lord, unlike over in 11, where he is thinking on lustful things while at rest. Bathsheba. Where does our mind wonder when we are at rest? Pro. 3:21-26.
Of course, he is at rest here because the wars have been won. Over there he is resting out of plain old laziness, because Joab was out fighting. (PP is 1 Chron. 17, almost word for word.)
David here is thinking what he can do for God. What is our idle time filled with? Things that please the Lord or the TV? The Lord had been good to David, given him rest from all his enemies and provided a beautiful house of cedar for him to dwell in. David's concern then turns to the house of the Lord as he compares his house of cedar and the Lord's house of curtains.
This was the concern of the Lord Himself over in Haggai 1, where the people dwelt in their ceild houses (cedar paneling) and had no concern for the Lord's house.
Hag. 1:2..
1. The people knew God's house should be well cared for, but
said it wasn't time to do it yet. They were unwilling to give
up their free time to work on it. The unwilling heart will find
many reasons, but the Lord sees through them and Judges accordingly.
2. The people of the Lord were living in nice homes, V. 4, well taken care of. The house of the Lord was neglected. While the people were enjoying life, they were ignoring the Lord's work.
3. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; consider your ways. The results...
v. 6 sow much, bring in little.
Eat but still hungry.
Drink but still thirsty.
Nice clothing, but still cold.
Make good wages but seems to get away.
Because they were more interested in their own personal comfort, none of the things they looked to for that comfort would satisfy. Left only the need for more and more.
4. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; consider your ways., v.7. Do some thing about this shameful disrespect. Go to the mountain and bring wood. Build the house of the Lord.
5. The result of doing:
The Lord will take pleasure in it (His rebuilt house).
He will be glorified.
6. Result of leaving His house waste and every man running
to his own house.
Looked for much, came to little, v. 9.
Brought it home, the Lord did blow on it and scattered it.
The heaven is stopped from moisture, dew.
The Earth is stopped, prevented (stayed) from bearing fruit.
The Lord called for a drought upon the land. Drought in the mountains,
on the corn, wine, oil, all that grows. On men, cattle, on all
the labor of the hands.
Might note here that man in his technology has tried to bypass the result of sin. Again, "Education without the knowledge of God only enables man to be more effective in his rebellion." And in our age of technology we see this exact thinking. Using technology to bypass the result of sin (or so man thinks). Man's belief today is that the problem is a lack of education, technology, knowledge, research, money, not that the problem is sin.
The best example of this thinking is the situation with AIDS. Not once do we hear that the problem is sin. We continue to hear that the problem is not enough money for research....
Of Course, this is the bottom line on unions. Man will not admit greed is the bottom line, or that his relationship with his Lord is his problem (sin), but his problem is that too much work is expected of him with too little pay.
Haggai makes it clear that when man is not right with the Lord, he will never have enough money because the Lord Himself will blow on it, cause his purse to have a hole in it.
Technology gives irrigation instead of the right relationship with the Lord giving rain. The list is endless. Technology making man more effective in his rebellion against his Creator. We should say, "Technology without the fear of the Lord," because Technology can be used to glorify Him and should be.
Now, look at the result of God's people getting their priorities right. (Looks like a people's attitude toward the Lord will be reflected in their attitude toward the physical buildings of the Lord.)
Hag. 1:12, they obeyed-The people did fear..
I am with you, v. 13.
v. 14, the Lord stirred up the spirit of the leaders..
v. 14, the Lord stirred up the spirit of the people..
they came and did the work.
2:1, as soon as God's people decide to do something for God,
Satan tries to discourage them by looking to the past and comparing
the present with it. (Note that the Lord had to stir the spirit
of the people to even make them willing to work on His house.)
2:2, Be strong O Zerubbable.., be strong O Joshua.., be strong all ye people,.. And work for I am with you saith the Lord of hosts.
Don't look back at past victories for present strength, but look to the future under the leadership of the Lord. Don't rest in past victories, but work for the future. God doesn't bless the past. God works in the future, Hag. 2:9
One of the necessary qualities if we expect the blessings of God, is a concern for the Lord's house. And David had this. God's people in Haggai is time didn't have this concern, and the Lord sent Haggai to them to call on them to consider your ways. This is the call today.
Vs. 1-3. We see that David was so grateful for what God had done for him and how He had blessed him, that the first thing he thought about as soon as he had the time, was the house of the Lord. He could not be happy until he saw the house of the Lord in good shape, at least as good of shape as his.
So David checks with Nathan here, and Nathan says, "Go do all that is in thine heart."
V. 4. But, Nathan spoke too soon. Even he spoke from a personal view-point without seeking the Lord, but the Lord straightened it up.
God doesn't waste any time in redirecting David, but speaks to Nathan that night.
For us: Even Nathan the prophet, spoke to soon. This shows us a couple of things.
1. Even with the very best intentions for God and good, we
can still speak to soon.
2. It is no disgrace to admit that we did wrong. In fact, this
is one of the very best attributes that anyone can have. Quickly
own up to wrong. Nathan did.
The Lord tells Nathan to go back to David and reinstruct him. God gives 3 reasons why David is NOT to build this permanent house.
1. He has never had one since Egypt. Rather, the Lord walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. Of course, this refers to Jesus, Who walked and tabernacled among men. In the heavens now and also in His church now. He went about doing good, yet He had no place to lay His head.
The job of the Church right now is not to sit still and let the world come to it as with Solomon, but it is to go into all the world, walk among men. Go Ye...
The second reason:
2. He had never told anyone to build a tabernacle, temple or
a permanent dwelling.
3. A third reason is added in 1 Chron. 22:8. David was a man of war and had shed much blood upon the earth in the sight of the Lord. Now, this blood was shed fighting the battles of the Lord, but this is still a reason that the Lord would not permit David to build this temple.
WHY do you suppose this is true? (see my notes in Ps. 45.) He is the Prince of Peace and a Man of Peace will build His house.
2 Sam. 7:8. Notice how the Lord reveals Himself to David.
God reveals Himself as the Lord of hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth.
The first time in the OT is in 1 Sam. 1:3. This name has its roots in Gen. 2:1, Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them. But the title of Lord of hosts is unknown in Moses' time, up until the time of Samuel, 1 Sam. 1:3.
This name presents Jehovah as ruler over all the hosts of heaven, really, all created hosts. It presents Jehovah as ruler over all the universe. The One Who governs all the powers of heaven and earth, both visible and invisible, as He rules in heaven and on earth.
We see the NT reference to this in Eph. 1:20, 21 (Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: -- 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:)
In light of this NT verse, we see that the Lord of Host is none other than Jesus. It is the Lord of hosts who Hanna wept before in 1:11. It is the Lord of hosts who we weep before also. He is the ruler of heaven and earth.
FOR US: Samuel was borne into a period of time when God's people were serving custom, tradition and themselves, rather than the Lord God. In fact, notice how the book of Judges ends. It ends telling us that there was no godly rule in Israel and every person was doing what he felt was right. Hanna is pleading with the Lord in the midst of a darkened land. And so are we.
Lord of hosts comes from the word Jehovah Sabaoth. Lord simply means "self-existing one." (Jesus, Jn. 1:1; He.1:8, 10. David uses the title in Ps. 46:7, 11 the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge, Selah. - Think of that.
The prophets use this title many times, Jer, Haggai, Zech, Malachi. It is used in the time of trials of God's people and is our assurance that all the power of heaven and earth is available to God's people through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Lord of hosts.
There are two key words here, v. 8.
He took him following the sheep.
To be ruler over my people.
For us: And this is the point here. If a person cannot follow, they cannot expect to lead. They will never be exalted by God to lead. They may get exalted apart from learning to be a willing follower, but it will not be the Lord who does the exalting. The world and the flesh will gladly exalt such a one.
One of my pet peeves is people who think that training from books and a classroom equips them to lead. It is sad that this teaching has overwhelmed the church.
Some time ago, I had someone tell me how much they wanted to be in a certain place of leadership. I offered them some place of service but that was not what they wanted.
V. 9, God was the one who was with him, and did two things for David.
First, we see that God cut off David's enemies.
Why did God cut off David's enemies?
We have an idea in Ps.139:21, 22. Here we see that David's enemies
were the same ones that God had for enemies. (I personally would
identify hate here as a desire to separate from.)
Most of our enemies are our own, yet we expect God to cut them off.
Second, God is the one who made David's name great.
Why do you think the Lord made David's name great?
The answer is in v. 26. David has a heart desire to make the
Lord's name great.
I think that we can pretty well expect to receive the same thing from the Lord that we give toward Him. If we place His great name first, He will exalt us. Remember the Proverb, Pr. 8:17. If our actions toward God and His word prove our love toward Him, His actions toward us will prove His love for us. His blessings will be evident upon our lives.
The NT verse would be that we will receive what we sow. If we sow godly principles we will reap the blessings of God.
Another thing. The Lord of hosts, Jesus took us from what we were, and we were happy there. He, Jesus, set us up, directed our paths and brought us to this point in our lives.
He is the Lord of hosts, ruler of heaven and earth, controller
of ALL POWER. In fact, far above all powers that we might be able
to name or think of.
He placed us where we are.
He alone has the power to change hearts and direction.
He alone is responsible as long as we keep our ways pleasing
in His sight.
He can move in these difficult times in our lives and in the
hearts of those that need His touch.
There is absolutely no need for us to fret, because the Lord
of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Think of
that. Ps. 46:7, 11.
He is the one in charge, and nothing catches Him by surprise.
The Lord of Hosts called us to cast all of our cares upon him,
for he carreth for us, 1 Pet. 5:7.
Ps. 46:11, He is our high place of security, we are seated
with Him.
Ps. 46:1, He is my cave, rock to hide in. To the enemies of God,
such as Saul, the cave was a place of danger. To David, the cave
was a place of safety where God delivered his enemies to him.
Whether we need a cave to hide in, or a strong tower, high above all, we have it is Jesus. It was Jehovah (Jesus), Lord of Hosts that has worked in our lives this far, Ph. 1:6.
NATHAN! God could have appeared to David Himself, but He chose to send Nathan to speak. This shows us the importance of having teachers. David was a prophet himself and wrote far more under the inspiration of God, yet God sent Nathan to him.
For us, if a person reaches the point that they think they have matured above the need for instructors in God's word, they are finished.
For us, God told David to wait in building the temple. Even good things must be done in God's time, or they will be in sin.
Another point here in v. 8 for us. God reminds David where he came from which men are so prone to forget. We think like king of Babylon, Neb., "Look at what I have done."
We need to be reminded where we have come from and God here reminds David. He also reminds David of how he got to be king, and how he subdued his enemies. Promotion comes from above, and when we forget that, we are headed for the same difficulties that Nebuchadnezar had.
V. 12-14.
I will set up thy seed after thee.
I will establish his kingdom.
I will establish the throne of his kingdom.
I will be a father..
I will chasten him
(I will not take my mercy from him, v. 15.)
See that these things took place after v. 2, where David was determined to build a house for the Lord. The result of this detirmination, even though David was prevented from caring out his desire, was that the Lord built a house for David.
Three points here.
1. Mat. 6:33, A man must build 'a house' for the Lord, if he
expects to be established by the Lord.
2. Ps. 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in
vain that build it.
3. Unless a man's house is built by the Lord, he cannot build
for the Lord.
Vs. 8-17.
Of course, this prophecy is an intermixed reference to Solomon
and to Christ. It is difficult to sort the two out.
V. 16, even though this promise is made for a great way off, at least 28 generations, David went in and rejoiced and praised the Lord as though it was already fulfilled.
Two things here for us:
1. The promise here for us is the confidence that The Lord of
Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.
2. We can cast all of our cares upon Him, because He carreth
for us.
3. If we will follow His commandments, He will be set above the
turmoil of this world in Him.
4. We can rejoice in this even though the results are not yet
established, but they will be established because the same God
who made this promise "a great while to come," and fulfilled
it, is the same God who makes the many promises to us.
5. Importantly, are we able to think 28 generations ahead?
V. 8, saith the Lord of hosts. This is the Lord Jesus Christ, the same one who gives us the promise of 1 Pet. 5:7 and Psalms 46:7-11.
Maybe we have not seen the promises fulfilled, and maybe we never will, but God gives them, and He will keep them as sure as He kept this to David.
(see my hand notes, 7/19/84)
The Lord took us, called us to Himself.
The Lord is working His will in all we do and all that comes
upon us, even though it does not appear as though He is. He is
charge, therefore, we must say with David, v. 20, "What more
could we ask for from the Lord?"
V. 18, David went with an overflowing heart of thanksgiving and praise before the Lord over THE PROMISE that he would never see the fulfillment of. It came many years after his death.
Notice what David said! Who am I Lord? Most of us say, "Look who I am Lord!" and then go in the power of the flesh because we lost His power.
V. 19, such a promise is impossible with man, but is a small thing with God. The Lord God alone can control the future, therefore speak a promise concerning the Future. As James says, 4:15, when we speak of the future, we must say, "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." Anything else is boasting and evil rejoicing.
Only the God of eternity controls time, time controls us. Our best bet is to serve the God of eternity. To us such a control of time and the hearts of men is impossible, but not so with God.
V. 20.
David asks, "What more could I ask for. You Lord know the
desire of my heart and this fulfills it."
V. 21, it will be done for His sake, not ours. It will be done for Thy words sake. Everything that is done throughout history will be for one reason alone, for thy words sake. For Jesus sake. It's for sure nothing will be done for man's sake because what is man? He is as the grass of the field, like the dust of the earth. He is unable to control his own thoughts, heart and tongue.
Everything that takes place on this earth will be according to thine own heart. It will be because God desires it to be that way.
V. 22,
There is no one like Him.
V. 23. And no people like His people who He redeemed. Why did
He redeem a people? 1. To make him a name. 2. To do a great work
through.
V. 25-29, we still need to pray for the Lord to fulfill His promises. Notice David's prayer. He prays for God's promise to be fulfilled. God promised it, why didn't David just say, "Thank You Lord," and go on about his business?
This shows us that we still need to pray for God to fulfill His promises.
Of course, the teaching all through the Scriptures is that God wants to be reminded of His promises by those who love Him. And whatever He does, It will be because it pleases him. V. 29.