2Sa 7:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | After the ark is brought to Zion, it occurs to David’s heart to build a house for the LORD as a resting place for the ark. Here we see the heart of God and the heart of David. David wants to build a house for God. He brought the ark to Zion and wants to build the temple for it. God does not allow him to do so, but instead He says He will build a house for David. The tabernacle is currently in Gibeon. The ark was first in Shiloh and is now on Mount Zion. Gibeon is a city of priests. David does not think of the tabernacle. He did arrange a service there ( ), but his heart is in Zion, just like the heart of God. It is not in his heart to bring the tabernacle to Zion, but to build a permanent home for the LORD. David is as king at rest in his house. The LORD has given him rest on all sides; all enemies have been conquered. Then the desire occurs to his heart to build a house for the ark of God, that is to say for God Himself ( ). He has found peace himself and now he is looking for peace for the ark. He wants to build a house of peace for the ark. The ark is the place of rest for the feet of the LORD. This speaks of the Lord Jesus in Whom God can rest. What we see with David also happens today in the lives of people who repent. If God points to the Lord Jesus as the resting point for his sins, such a person will find that rest with Him. Then such a person will start thinking about the dwelling of God, that is now the church. The church is a place of rest where the Lord Jesus finds rest, where He finds people to whom He is everything. We can also apply it more generally. If God has done so much for us in His goodness, it should make us think about what we can do for Him and His glory. David shares his plan with Nathan, who is immediately enthusiastic. He confirms David’s intention. David’s wish is so beautiful! Surely it cannot be other than according to God’s thoughts, can it?

‏ 2 Samuel 7:1-2

Introduction

After the ark is brought to Zion, it occurs to David’s heart to build a house for the LORD as a resting place for the ark. Here we see the heart of God and the heart of David. David wants to build a house for God. He brought the ark to Zion and wants to build the temple for it. God does not allow him to do so, but instead He says He will build a house for David.

The tabernacle is currently in Gibeon. The ark was first in Shiloh and is now on Mount Zion. Gibeon is a city of priests. David does not think of the tabernacle. He did arrange a service there (1Chr 16:39-40), but his heart is in Zion, just like the heart of God. It is not in his heart to bring the tabernacle to Zion, but to build a permanent home for the LORD.

David’s Longing for the Ark

David is as king at rest in his house. The LORD has given him rest on all sides; all enemies have been conquered. Then the desire occurs to his heart to build a house for the ark of God, that is to say for God Himself (1Chr 28:2). He has found peace himself and now he is looking for peace for the ark. He wants to build a house of peace for the ark. The ark is the place of rest for the feet of the LORD. This speaks of the Lord Jesus in Whom God can rest.

What we see with David also happens today in the lives of people who repent. If God points to the Lord Jesus as the resting point for his sins, such a person will find that rest with Him. Then such a person will start thinking about the dwelling of God, that is now the church. The church is a place of rest where the Lord Jesus finds rest, where He finds people to whom He is everything. We can also apply it more generally. If God has done so much for us in His goodness, it should make us think about what we can do for Him and His glory.

David shares his plan with Nathan, who is immediately enthusiastic. He confirms David’s intention. David’s wish is so beautiful! Surely it cannot be other than according to God’s thoughts, can it?