AN ETERNAL KINGDOM

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

ARTICULATE the prophecy regarding David's legacy; BELIEVE God even when He denies our request; and DECIDE to seek God's heart about plans for the future. 

FOCAL VERSES 2 Samuel 7:4-16a

KEEP IN MIND

"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee" (from 2 Samuel 7:16).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. God Responds to David;s Desire (2 Samuel 7:4-7)

2. God's Role in David;s Present (vv. 8-10)

3. God's Promise for David's Future (vv. 11-13)

4. God's Covenant with David (vv. 14-16)

IN FOCUS STORY

Only What You Do For Christ Will Last 

By Raymond Rasberry

You may build great cathedrals large or small,

you can build skyscrapers grand and tall,

you may conquer all the failures of the past,

but only what you do for Christ will last.

You may seek earthly power and fame,

the world might be impressed by your great name,

soon the glories of this life will all be past,

but only what you do for Christ will last.

Though your armies may control each hemisphere,

and your orbits out in space cause men to cheer,

your scientific knowledge may be vast,

but only what you do for Christ will last.

Though your song and prayers are heard and praised by man,

they've no meaning unless you've been born again,

sinner, heed these words, don't let this harvest pass,

for only what you do for Christ will last.

Only what you do for Him will be counted at the end;

Only what you do for Christ will last.

In today's lesson, David followed his own desires falsely believing that his plans were sufficient for God's purpose. God sent His prophet to deliver the Master's plan. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Nathan. Nathan was a prophet and advisor to King David. His work with David is recorded in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. The author of Chronicles twice mentions the "book of Nathan the prophet" (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29). Some Bible scholars believe that portions of Chronicles have been incorporated into the books of Samuel and Kings. 

Although not much is written about him, Nathan's role was critical. It was through Nathan that God first delivered the Messianic promise of an eternal kingdom that would come through the lineage of David. Many scholars believe that Nathan may have had significant role in designing the temple of Jerusalem. He seems to have been well acquainted with the inner workings of the royal household and appears in three key accounts recorded in the Old Testament. It was with Nathan that King David shared his plan to build a house for God (2 Samuel 7:4-17). Later, in what is probably the most dramatic biblical confrontation between a king and a prophet, Nathan boldly confronted David with sins of adultery and murder (12:1-13). Finally, Nathan would diplomatically assist in making Solomon David's successor, in spite son, Adonijah; thus, Nathan helped to ensure the line of dynastic succession and the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David (1 Kings 1:10-45). About three centuries later, King Hezekiah seems to have been following instructions left by Nathan regarding the role of Levite musicians in the temple (2 Chronicles 29:25). 

BACKGROUND

Second Samuel 7 opens with King David enjoying a period of "rest from all the surrounding enemies" (v. 1, NLT). With the help and guidance of the Lord, David manage to subdue Israel's long-standing enemy, the ferocious Philistines. He captured Jerusalem and made it the center of all religious worship by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the city. Like many Middle Eastern kings, David lived in a comfortable palace. Hiram, king of Tyre, had sent his carpenters and masons with finest cedar trees to construct David's palace, which was, no doubt, beautiful. At this point, David had about half a dozen wives, so it is also reasonable to assume his home was quite large. 

Despite this period of peace, David's mind was troubled. He shared with Nathan his unrest about living in a house of cedar-a wood that was highly valued-"while the ark of God remains in a tent" (v. 2, NLT). More than 400 years earlier, God had given the Children of Israel specific directions on building a tent of meeting, also called the tabernacle (Exodus 25:5-9). This was logical as Israel was in the wilderness and needed a place of worship that would be portable. God had never instructed His people to build a permanent dwelling place, yet David was distressed by the contrast with his own opulent palace and wanted to build a Temple for the Lord. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE

1. Who told David that his plans were not God's desire? Why was that person selected to confront the king (2 Samuel 7:4-5)?

2. What proof do we see that David's original plan did not come form the Lord (vv. 6-7)?

3. What past blessings had God given David (vv. 8-9)?

4. What would be the consequence if David's seed (son) sinned (vv. 14-15)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING 

1. David's dream of building the Temple had all the earmarks of have come form the Lord, yet it did not. How can we be sure that our dreams are from the Lord and that they are part of His plan for our life?

2. According to Acts 13:22, David was "a man after (God's) own heart." If David was so close to the Lord, how could he have made such an error in his decision to build the house? How does this apply to us?

3. Review the words to "Only What You Do For Christ Will Last" (In Focus). Relate the song to David's desire to build a house for the Lord, and then to our modern efforts to build a legacy.

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

How satisfied are we with what God has given us? Often we criticize what God has made possible, complaining to others that something newer, bigger, or "nicer" would be better. We do this without regard to the people in other countries and neighborhoods, or families who have less or struggle to have necessities. What does it take for us to be careful not discount God's blessings? What would it take to change attitudes so that those who have more than enough are both appreciative and willing to share with others?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1. God sent the prophet to tell David that his plan for building a Temple was incorrect. Who has God sent into your life to help you see His direction more clearly? If you can identify someone, take time to thank them and pray for them. If you don't have such a person, seek God for a wise saint who can be a Nathan to you. 

2. When David dreamed of building a Temple for God, he never imagined that there would be a problem with his unselfish plan to honor God. Yet God did not accept David's plan. Instead, God had a plan for David. Each day, God has something new to tell us, and in doing so, He reveals more about Himself. How can you remain open to His continual revelation? 

(Except from The Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World)