House of God and David
This chapter talks about the faithful relationship of God and David as well as the continuation of God’s covenant with David. The story highlights David’s love and respect for God. We read in this chapter that when David moved to his cedar house, he realized that he is simply the King of Israel, yet he is living in the most beautiful, solid, and permanent house whereas God, who is the King of the kings, lives in a temporary shelter, a tent!
If we reflect on this very thought of David and apply it to our lives, we will realize that it is still true even after thousands of years that we feel elated to live in beautiful houses which are perhaps better than our friends’ and relatives’ habitats however we don’t realize that we hardly give a decent space to the Lord of lords. We neither allow Him to dwell among us nor do we allow Him to live in our hearts.
Here, we read about the characters of three persons; God, David and Nathan. When David shares his thought of making a permanent house for God, Nathan immediately seconds this idea. As we read further, we get an impression that may be Nathan approves David’s idea because he might have also felt the same as David but was reluctant to share it with David, or on the other hand it could be that he may be afraid to disagree with the King. However, God rejects and refutes David’s desire and sends him a message through Nathan not to procced with this idea of building a permanent house for Him.
I believe that the disapproval gives us the message that God is not dependent on our handmade houses for Him, rather He demands us to prepare our hearts where He could dwell with us. Secondly, God’s covenant was kept in the tent and wherever the Israelites traveled they carried His covenant with them. It shows that God wanted to ensure His physical presence with His people, the Israelites.
Further on, the most noteworthy is the attitude of David towards God’s rejection to his proposal. We read in this chapter that when God rejected David’s idea He reminded him, the king of Israel, that he was nothing but an ordinary shepherd, whom God had made a powerful king. Here, we observe that instead of complaining to God for rejecting his proposal he humbled himself and went to God in prayer. He gives thanks to God for all His wonders and blessings that He poured out to him and his generation, still promising to fulfill His covenant through David’s offspring.
While reading this chapter I have learned that one should be faithful with God and trust Him no matter what kind of circumstances occur in our lives because He is in absolute control. He has the ultimate power to protect us from all evils and He also fights our battles. God truly loves us and remains faithful even though we neglect and disobey Him; He remains patient in anger. He only demands from us to obey His commandments and abstain from sin. This can only be done if we welcome Him to dwell and reign in our hearts. God prefers this over any burnt or sacrificial offerings.
