< 2 Samuel 7 >

The ark had been constructed in the wilderness four hundred years earlier and kept in the tabernacle. David compared the palace he lived in with the tent in which the ark resided and decided he should built a temple for the LORD. He was not permitted to do so, however, though his desire was commended by God. He was nevertheless promised that his son would build God’s house and with this promise he received great assurances concerning himself, the LORD’s house, and a greater son who would arise in the future.

This son of David that would build the temple would also be the Son of God for the LORD said: “I will be his father, and he shall be my son”, v.142 Samuel 7:14XWaiting for response and he would build a house for God’s name, and God would establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.v.132 Samuel 7:13XWaiting for response This, of course, is the Lord Jesus who was born in David’s line a thousand years later. David knew this would happen a long time in the future, after he was dead (slept with his fathers v.12),2 Samuel 7:12XWaiting for response but he also knew that he would be alive to see this great descendant sit on his throne for ever because God promised that his house and kingdom would be established “before him”.v.162 Samuel 7:16XWaiting for response Therefore David knew he would be raised from the dead when the Messiah sat upon his throne. He also knew that the Messiah would build God’s temple and sit on the throne of the LORD over Israel, that the kingdom would last for ever, and that he too would live for ever. This was his hope and faith, the same hope and faith of all God’s servants since that day who look for the coming of the Messiah to fulfil God’s promise to David.

This promise contained the statement that the Messiah would suffer at the hands of men and in due course Jesus did suffer before entering into his glory. When he returns Jesus will build a temple for the LORD at Jerusalem, and details of its design are given through the prophet Ezekiel (chapter 40 onwards) but the promise also refers to the building of a house of God composed of people. Therefore the purpose of Christ’s teaching, and that of his apostles, is to develop this house composed of living stones, with Jesus himself the chief corner stone and the apostles and prophets the foundation stones. Ephesians 2:19-22Ephesians 2:19-22XWaiting for response All the elements of this house of God will be brought together when Jesus returns, forming “an habitation of God through the Spirit”.