The life of King David is the study of a man who endured many times of personal adversity and knew many times of personal success. The low point seems to be when he sought refuge in the city of Gath, a Philistine city, and pretended to be insane to save his life (1 Samuel 21:10-15). The high point seems to be when he was the king of the whole nation in the city of Jerusalem.
In choosing Jerusalem as Israels capital, David demonstrated his political brilliance. He did not choose King Sauls ruling city, nor Mahanaim the capital of Sauls son (Ishbosheth2 Samuel 2:8, 9), and thus show possible favoritism to the tribes often called Israel. He did not choose Hebron to be his capital, and thus show possible favoritism to the tribes known as Judah (see 2 Samuel 2:10, 11). David sought to heal the civil war in the nation of Israel by conquering a city and making it his capitala city that belonged to no Jewish tribe: Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-10).
In yet another brilliant move, he planned to make Jerusalem both the political center and the spiritual center of the nation. When Israelites came to Jerusalem for justice in difficult matters (one of the primary responsibilities of the king was to decide justly), they also would see the spiritual center of the nation. When Israelites came to offer sacrifices, they would see the political workings of the nation. David thereby promoted the concept of nation as superior to the concept of tribe or even a group of tribes.
No matter what the concern of the people, they would need to come to Jerusalem. No longer would there be two centers of the nation: the political one and the religious one. There would be only one center! That center would belong to the entire nation, not just to the special interests of a group of tribes. Davids intent was truly brilliant! It offered healing and hope for a war- weary people. Judah and Israel could be one nation, one people as God intended.
However, something troubled King Davids conscience. He lived in a palace built of the finest building materials known then. That which represented Gods presence (the Ark of the Covenant) was placed in a tent in Jerusalem. That was not proper! How could the king who ruled the nation live in better physical circumstances than God who ruled the universe?
He told Nathan, the prophet to the King, about the Kings concerns. Nathan said, Do what you have in mind to do. It is obvious that God is with you.
That night God spoke to Nathan in a vision with a message for King David. The summary of that revelation follows:
1. You want to build a permanent structure for Me? I never asked any Israelite for that!
2. The focus is not on what you will do for Me, but on what I will do for you. I will make you a dynasty in Israel (a house).
3. Your descendant will build a house for me.
4. You will die, I will establish your dynasty, and I will provide your descendant abundant opportunity and responsibility.
5. Your dynasty will be eternal. (Jesus was a descendant of DavidMatthew 1:2-16; all Christians are descendants of Abraham and, thereby, a part of Gods nation or kingdomGalatians 3:29.)
Consider a contrast in the tabernacle and the temple:
1. The tabernacle was designed by God; the Jewish temple may not have been (see 1 Chronicles 28:9-19was it Davids design, was it Gods design given through revelation, was it a combination of both?). Seemingly, the structure called the temple by Israelites followed the basic pattern of the tabernacle. The temple was built and rebuilt three times: Solomons temple, which was destroyed (2 Kings 25:9, 13-17); the second temple built by the Jewish exiles who returned from captivity; and Herod the Greats remodeling enterprise that began in 19 BC, was totally complete in AD 64, and was destroyed by the Roman military in AD 70.
2. The tabernacle was commanded and accepted by God (Exodus 40:33-35). The temple was not the result of Gods command (see 2 Samuel 7:6, 7), but was accepted by God (read 2 Chronicles 5:11-14, 6:4-8, and 7:11-16).
3. The tabernacle was only for Israelites. The temple was to bless both Israelites and gentiles (see 1 Kings 8:41-43).
4. The tabernacle was portable. The temple was a permanent structure.
Consider some comparisons:
1. Both existed as the center for sacrificial worship to glorify Gods name.
2. Both signified Gods presence.
3. Both were a reminder of Gods acts and a promise of Gods blessings.
4. Both served as Israels religious focal point.
The principle point: Gods people worship God. They know they depend on God; He is not dependent on them. God will forever continue even if His people reject Him.
For Thought and Discussion
1. What do you personally most admire about King Davids life? Least admire? In answering both, explain why.
2. How did King David demonstrate political brilliance in making Jerusalem his capital?
3. How did King David demonstrate political brilliance in making Jerusalem both the political center and the religious center of the nation?
4. What troubled Kind Davids conscience?
5. What did Nathan, the prophet, first say to the king?
6. What instruction did God give Nathan in a vision that night?
7. Summarize Gods message to King David.
8. Contrast the tabernacle and the temple.
9. In what ways were both alike?
10. What is the principle point of this lesson?
11. What did you learn from this lesson that impresses you?
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 2