## The Life of David - Part 11

## II Samuel 7:1-29

We are going to briefly survey the events of the first six chapters. They are not unimportant! In chapter One, David learns of the death of Saul and Jonathon. In chapter Two, David is annointed king over Judah (He rules as such for seven years). In chapters Three and Four we see the conflict of war and politics. In chapter Five David is annointed king over all of Israel and is victorious over the Philistines. Chapter Six deals with David's attempt to re-establish the name and worship of Jehovah in Israel. The ark of the covenant is brought to Jerusalem and the worship of God is restored in the Tabernacle. With all of that we come to our text tonight, chapter 7. Read v1-3.

The Christian life is made up of all kinds of experiences. Sometimes they can be described as times of misery, filled with failure, disobedience, and discouragement. At other times they can be described as times of ministry, when the Lord gives us special strength and encouragement and we are used in fruitful ways. Then other times can be described as times of mystery, where we find ourselves in a "holding pattern" not really being disobedient to God, but not being used in His service either! God chooses not to answer our prayers, and He chooses not to allow us to minister in the ways in which we would like.

Tonight we find David in one of those times of mystery, where God refuses to grant his request. Let's look again to the Word of God and learn how we should respond when God tells us no.

I. An Honest Desire. v1-3

A. Comes at a time of peace.

1. Peace at home.

a. The scene here is beautiful and tranquil.

b. David was in his new home recently constructed from the great cedars of Lebanon.

c. He had time to sit and reflect on God's blessings upon his life.

2. Peace in the nation.

a. The battles had been fought and the victories won.

b. Now there was "rest round about from all his enemies".

B. David's Personal Desire.

1. He was concerned over the fact that he lived in a beautiful new home, but the ark of God was still housed in a tent.

2. David shares his thoughts with Nathan the prophet.

3. Nathan encourages David to proceed, because God was with him.

a. Nathan was not speaking for God here.

b. He simply was being an encouragement to David.

c. The observation that God was with David was clear from the recent victories that had been won.

II. A Divine Response. v4-17

A. The refusal of the request. (4-7)

1. God, who knows the thoughts of our hearts, read David's thoughts and quickly responded.

2. He didn't wait until David had made all the preparations or had completed the project.

3. He quickly speaks to the prophet Nathan and basically tells David, "Thanks, but no thanks!". (Note: 2 Chron. 6:6-7)

B. The explanation for His answer. (8-17)

1. David was not chosen to be a builder, but a king. v8

2. God had chosen to make David's name great as a warrior. v9

3. Here we have the covenant that God made with David which included the following provisions.

a. David would have a son who would succeed him and establish his kingdom. v12

b. His son, rather than David, would build the Temple. v13a

c. His throne would be established forever. v13b

d. God's mercy would be forever upon him. v14-15

e. David's house (descendents), kingdom, and throne would be established forever. v16

4. Note: This covenant did not guarantee that David's family would have an uninterrupted rule, but that the right to rule would always belong to the house of David.

5. One day, Jesus Christ will rule from the the literal throne of David, during the millenniel reign.

III. David's Response. v18-29

A. His Posture. (18a)

1. David sat down.

2. He had just heard God say no, but he didn't complain or cry about it.

3. He didn't just sit down...he sat down before the Lord.

B. His gratefulness expressed. (18b-21)

1. The questions are reflective in nature, David already knew the answers.

2. David was without words to express his gratitude for all that God had done.

C. His praise and adoration. (22-29)

Conclusion: How do we respond when God says no to our desires and dreams? David realized that when God says no, He has a better way. God doesn't call everyone to do the same job. David fought the battles, and Solomon would be the one to build the Temple. No doesn't always mean rejection or discipline because of sin; sometimes it means redirection.