I’ve already mentioned that David was not allowed to build a permanent temple because of all the blood he’d shed:

David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart 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 before me on the earth. (1 Chronicles 22.7, 8, ESV)

We have the backstory in 2 Samuel 7. David has been established in the kingship, he has built a palace and settled in, and he’s brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Now he wants to build a permanent home for the Ark, not have it live in a tent (the Tabernacle), as God directed in Exodus.

Before long, the king made himself at home and GOD gave him peace from all his enemies. Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Ark of God sits in a plain tent.” (2 Samuel 7.1, 2, MSG)

Nathan initially approves of David’s plan (why not?), but God gives a different word. First, God is not interested in a permanent house:

But that night, the word of GOD came to Nathan saying, “Go and tell my servant David: This is GOD’s word on the matter: You’re going to build a ‘house’ for me to live in? Why, I haven’t lived in a ‘house’ from the time I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt till now. All that time I’ve moved about with nothing but a tent. And in all my travels with Israel, did I ever say to any of the leaders I commanded to shepherd Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?'” (2 Samuel 7.4 – 7, MSG)

The main message is that David will not build God’s house. God will build David’s “house” – his permanent monarchy:

So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging along after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel…Furthermore, GOD has this message for you: GOD himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child, your own flesh and blood, to succeed you, and I’ll firmly establish his rule…and I will guarantee his kingdom’s rule permanently…But I’ll never remove my gracious love from him, as I removed it from Saul…Your family and your kingdom are permanently secured…And your royal throne will always be there, rock solid. (2 Samuel 7.8 – 16, MSG)

And what is David’s response to God’s promise of a permanent monarchy in his line? First, praise:

King David went in, took his place before GOD, and prayed: “Who am I, my Master GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life?… [and] spoken of my family far into the future…What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master GOD, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it. This is what makes you so great, Master GOD! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears.” (2 Samuel 7.18 – 22, MSG)

There’s another lesson in this story, and it’s too important to crowd into this blog. Stay tuned…

In the meantime, David does have a permanent kingship:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9.6, 7, NIV, emphasis mine)

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1.30 – 33, ESV, emphasis mine)

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21.9, ESV)

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. (Revelation 22.16, ESV)