David Lays Plans for the Temple

David began to think of the inconsistency of having a beautiful home of his own but no place that could be called the house of God. The period of peace permitted David to give his time and energy to other things. Under these circumstances he began to contemplate the building of a temple for the worship of God. David called upon Nathan for guidance. This is the first mention of Nathan the prophet, but he was evidently already a confidential counselor of the king, to be consulted on important matters in which David desired specific directions from God.

The purpose of building a permanent temple expressed by David appeared good and Nathan naturally thought that it was right for the king to carry it into execution. The prophet, however, had not received any confirmatory message. He spoke according to his own sense of right, and not in response to divine revelation. But God later spoke to the prophet. The communication was distinctly marked as coming from God (see on v. 3), and was in direct opposition to Nathan's earlier expressed view. There is no evidence, however, of any spirit of rebellion on the part of Nathan when he was asked to return to the king and acknowledge his previous error.

It was now about 450 years since the Exodus (see on 1 Kings 6:1). During that time the tabernacle had been the earthly dwelling place of God. It had frequently been moved from place to place, and even now the time had not yet arrived for a permanent place of worship for the children of Israel. These temporary arrangements having continued for so long a time, a tent could suffice for a little while longer until arrangements could be made for the building of the Temple. The word from Nathan indicated that David would not build the temple, but a son of David would accomplish the task.

David was overwhelmed at the revelation that had been given to him. He was not to be permitted to build the Temple, but the promises made to him entirely compensated for the initial disappointment. As David sat in meditation he probably reviewed the years that had gone, thinking first of himself as a humble shepherd lad wandering over the hills and becoming acquainted with the ways of God then how he had been chosen for the kingdom, but had fled over the hills of Judah as a fugitive, little knowing one day what new trial and danger the next would bring forth.

Now at length he enjoyed peace, and with it came the promise from God as to the future of his kingdom. David was overwhelmed at the thought. With deep humility and utter self—abnegation he cried out, "Who am I, O Lord God?" By human standards David would be considered a man of extraordinary accomplishments, an unusual leader, a man of deep piety and great courage, a man of honor and success, one of the world's greatest poets and one of history's outstanding kings. But David felt deeply humble before his Maker, and as totally unworthy of the high honor God bestowed upon him and his house.