David had a great idea! But it was God who had the final say.
“And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under curtains.” Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” It came about the same night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell David my servant, ‘Thus says the LORD. “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another.” 1 Chronicles 17:1-5.
David had a great idea, but God said “NO!” Why? In 1 Chronicles 22:7-10, we find the reason why. “David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me. ‘Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’”
I find this whole interaction and decision by God fascinating. Nathan was not wrong when he told David that the LORD was with him. God said to David through Nathan in 1 Chronicles 17:8, “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 name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.” God would continue to bless David, however, he would not the be one to build the temple.
Some might ask, “Was is not God who allowed David and instructed David to engage in war? And didn’t David kill Goliath to let all know that there is a God in Israel? So, why not allow him to build the temple?” That’s a great question!
What was in David’s heart was not in the mind of God. That’s a big distinction for us to remember! In all things it’s God who decides. In Colossians 3:17, the Bible says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” It’s our responsibility to follow His authority.
Another thought to consider is that the battles David engaged in helped establish the kingdom. Solomon would lead the kingdom in peace and rest. Although David had his plans, it didn’t mean that what he accomplished for the LORD was of no value compared to what Solomon would do.
What’s most important is that David accepted and obeyed the voice of the LORD. He didn’t seek to build the temple. He didn’t grow bitter. Rather, he helped prepare his son to succeed, 1 Chronicles 22:14-19.
While we may have good intentions, it’s God who decides. Which means, we must carefully study His word to understand His will for us and ensure our hearts are in alignment with Him.
-Benjamin Lee